Polluted San Juan River to undergo rehab

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has entered into a partnership with the Aboitiz Group to spearhead the rehabilitation of San Juan River, earlier identified as one of the most polluted waterways in Metro Manila.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed on Friday, the private company will help clean up the 11-kilometer tributary within three years through activities to be implemented by the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., its social development arm.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the partnership was part of the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay, that the river, which runs from Quezon City to the cities of San Juan, Manila and Mandaluyong, eventually drains into.

The goal, he said, was to lower the pollution levels in San Juan River through dredging and cleanup activities. Other components of the rehabilitation plan included “social preparation and mobilization” with concerned local government units and regular water quality monitoring in selected areas of the river.

Aboitiz will fund the cleanup and provide the necessary equipment and materials for the project.

The DENR has also teamed up with other private companies to clean up Manila Bay and its tributaries, mostly under the “Adopt-an-Estero” program.