Global Power launches adopt-a-river project
A power company in Toledo City, Cebu marked the celebration of World Water Day last March 22 by launching its “Adopt-A-River” project.
The Global Business Power Corp. and its subsidiaries Toledo Power Company and Cebu Energy Development Corp. has adopted its nearby river that stretches about 500 meters from barangay Daanlungsod to barangay Luray.
Encouraged by the DENR’s call to participate in this year’s observance with the theme “Water Cooperation,” the Toledo Power and Cebu Energy launched its adopt-a-river project by conducting a river clean-up activity.
A total of 55 employee-volunteers from Toledo Power and Cebu Energy trooped to Daanlungsod in the morning for the river clean-up drive. Residents of Daanlungsod headed by barangay captain Jose Letrago also assisted.
From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., they were able to collect 200 sacks of trash, including diapers, plastic bags, food wrappers, shampoo sachets, empty bottles and waste rags, among others.
Simultaneous with the river clean-up drive in Toledo City, Global Power employees in Cebu City also joined in the “Walk for Water” activity to promote the company’s adopt-a-river project.
A series of environmental consciousness campaigns were also conducted to encourage community participation and commitment for the project.
“Our campaign also includes the promotion of good sanitation and solid waste management practices among the households living along the Daanlungsod-Luray river to ensure sustainability of the project,” said engineer Leah Diaz, GBPC vice president for Toledo site.
Toledo Power and Cebu Energy respectively allocated P200,000 and P400,000 for the project for a two-year period.
Aside from constructing sanitation facilities in the area, the non-infrastructure components of the project include replanting of mangroves to prevent soil erosion, regular clean-up activities, establishment of IEC materials to promote community awareness on water pollution and proper solid waste management, and gathering of related baseline data.
“With the cooperation of our community partners, local officials, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, we are confident to achieve a healthy, clean and safe Luray creek,” Engr. Diaz said.
The river clean-up drive is part of Cebu Energy and Toledo Power’s commitment on environmental sustainability under its Kabilin Program.
