BAGUIO CITY- The 2019 Balili river action plan as approved last week by a multi-sectoral body from Baguio City, La Trinidad and Sablan, Benguet shall be presented in the forthcoming governing board meeting.
Activities which are time-bound, within a budgetary allocation and with a projected outcome are parts of the Balili River Water Quality Management Area (WQMA); and initiated due to problems of pollution, encroachment, erosion and siltation and reported weak law enforcement all along the 23.81 km. stretch of the Balili river. With headwaters in Baguio City, the river winds down towards Sablan through La Trinidad and parts of Tublay, all in Benguet.
River dredging and de-silting to minimize erosion, ascertain increased depth and width and stabilized river slope shall be done after flood control projects are implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along said stretch.
Meanwhile, the Benguet State University (BSU) takes on phytoremediation programs using research-confirmed plants to absorb river water pollution. Accordingly, two or three appropriate plant species shall be planted along river banks and tributaries aimed at increased biodiversity to support ecological balance. Other local government units with identified planting sites follow phytoremediation measures using plants native to the area..
In La Trinidad, a survey goes on starting at the Stobosa (Stonehill-Botiwtiw-Sadjap) km. 3 area towards Tublay and Sablan, Benguet, with monitoring and report on illegal structures and encroachment. The serving of notifications on river easements, removal and demolition, and subsequent disapproval of applications seen to affect easements and river banks are part of the 2019 Balili river plan. The foreseen outcome is at least several meters river easement identified, with no further encroachment and illegal structures.
As for the observed pollution through indiscriminate dumping and emptying of solid, liquid and hazard wastes along the water ways; trash traps set up along the Baguio and La Trinidad riversides, regular clean-ups, inspections, implementation of local ordinances, information and education campaigns (IEC), and development of programs and activities to strengthen RA 9003 or the ecological solid waste management act of 2000 are scheduled towards mid-2019.
Sewage systems for local government units with sanitary landfills and materials recovery facilities with segregation, recycling and composting operations and appropriate technologies for residual management are envisioned. All activities shall be reported to the Balili River Water Quality Management (WQMA) governing board and the Environmental Management Board (EMB).
The adoption of proper technologies through trainings and seminars on waste management for farm residues and animal wastes is scheduled in April to June this year. Before the total implementation of national housing laws for the prohibition of hog raising in highly urbanized cities, proper disposal of animal wastes will be through a specially designed septic tank, with technology acquired from the Department of Science and Technology.
Localized advocacy and information campaigns are also in the river action plan due to perceived low public participation, involvement, low level of awareness and knowledge on the importance of the river. The implementation of existing laws and ordinances and capability building forum at the barangay level or community-based participation to programs for the cleanliness of the Balili river is done even after the celebration of Balili River Day on September 16. A stakeholders forum shall coincide with the occasion.
It was recalled that in the 70s, Balili River and its tributaries is classified as “A,” then suitable for fishing, swimming and drinking water for animals.
Last Friday’s whole day clean-up drive along the Sagudin-Balili river tributary is part of World Water Day celebration with the theme “Leaving No One Behind.” The activity aims to focus attention on “the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. “
Meanwhile, Bued River as the official entry to the Clean Rivers contest shall be the subject of regular clean-ups. **juliegfianza