DENR to prioritize clean up of ‘stinky, filthy’ San Juan River

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday vowed to prioritize the clean up of the “stinky and filthy” San Juan River.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu gave this assurance when prodded by some senators during the hearing of the Senate sub commmittee on finance on the DENR’s budget for 2020.

Senator Francis Tolentino reminded environment officials that they could not rehabilitate Pasig River without cleaning up the San Juan River .

The San Juan River runs from Quezon City to the cities of San Juan, Manila and Mandaluyong.

Tolentino noted that 60 percent to 70 percent of pollutants the in Pasig Rivers comes from the San Juan River.

“But when I looked at the figures coming from the Commission on Audit, Madam chair, apparently the Pasig River Commission spent only 27.65 percent of its total budgetary allocations for 2018 despite the P51M spent by PRRC for other projects,” he said.

The PPRC is Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

“So I’m wondering why there’s no parallel priority being given to San Juan River dapat sabay yun. Sabi ni Madam chair, clean up kayo pero hindi lang yung Pasig River… ” the senator added.

Senator Nancy Binay tasked officials of the Department of Environment andNatural Resources (DENR) present in the hearing to answer the question since she said the clean up of the San Juan River falls under its jurisdiction.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu then vowed to prioritize the rehabilitation of San Juan River as he agreed with Tolentino’s observation.

“In fact, when I had an ocular visit the other day, when we attempted to enter San Juan, talagang naamoy na namin kaagad. Maamoy na, madumi pa yung coming from San Juan,” Cimatu said.

[In fact, when I had an ocular visit the other day, when we attempted to enter San Juan, you can really smell it. It is dirty coming from San Juan].

Tolentino interjected, saying there used to be a piggery along the river.

“Because of that your honors, I’ve decided to make this as a priority already, the San Juan,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu blamed the deterioration of rivers in the country to uncollected garbages that accumulated through the years.  /muf