The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (DENR-PRCMO) and the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) have joined forces to clean up the Pasig River.
As part of Rotary’s initiative to support the environment initiative, RCM has donated 395 floating trash barriers that will be used to prevent garbage from flowing into the river.
“We share our deepest gratitude to Rotary Club of Manila President Herminio S. Esguerra for his generous donation of 395 trash barriers that will help the PRCMO intercept wastes and other debris, fight marine pollution, and protect the Pasig River, our country’s most vital water resource,” said Dr. Joan Lagunda, DENR Assistant Secretary for Administration and Legislative Affairs and PRCMO Concurrent Executive Director.
“This is just the beginning of the PRCMO and Rotary Club of Manila’s fulfillment of our shared commitment as partners in service to bring our vision for the Pasig River System to abundant fruition,” she added.
Esguerra, for his part, expressed the club’s commitment to the Pasig River clean-up project.
“Our club, which is the first Rotary club in Asia, is proud to partner with DENR-PRCMO in their efforts to rehabilitate the Pasig River,” he said.
“Through this program, many communities will benefit from cleaner and safer Pasig River as well as a healthier environment for generations to come,” Esguerra added.
The trash barriers also act as a life-saving tool, said Capt. Lomil Prado, Operations Head of PRCMO.
On November 21, an unidentified female was saved from drowning because of the trash barriers, Prado said.
He said the Philippine Coast Guard rescued the individual near the Intramuros-Binondo Bridge in Pasig River.
“She was spotted in the water with a strong current, and the floating trash barriers helped prevent her from drowning,” Prado said.