LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The local government of this capital town, the Environment Management Bureau in the Cordillera Administrative Region (EMB-CAR), and the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus (KC) signed Wednesday a three-year memorandum of agreement (MOA) to save the Balili River from further decay.
“The signing of the MOA only shows the solid collaborative efforts among the local government unit (LGU), national line agencies, and the communities towards bringing back the good quality of the water in the Balili River and its tributaries, “ said Reynaldo Digamo, regional director of EMB-CAR.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda thanked the volunteers, who regularly conduct clean-up drives in the Balili River, which got its name from Bodili, a grass that grows along the 5-km. river line, which is just part of the entire river that flows to other areas in the region and as far as the Ilocos region.
Salda said an initial amount of PHP4.5 million was earmarked for a feasibility study on the establishment of a water sewerage treatment plant in Barangay Balili.
Under the MOA, the parties will develop, implement, and regularly assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive plan to restore the Balili River and its minor tributaries and to implement the “Adopt a river, estero, water body” program.
The EMB-CAR would monitor the water quality in the river and the pollution level in the area, as well as ensure community compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Clean Water Act.
La Trinidad’s town government will help the EMB-CAR and the private sector KC implement the “Adopt a river, estero, water body” program and coordinate with civil society, business groups, and other interested sectors in doing activities meant to address the community’s environmental issues.
Meanwhile, the KC is tasked to help in the information dissemination, education campaigns, and community mobilization. The group will also help train community leaders on solid waste management, mobilizing the town’s 16 barangays and volunteer groups from the women sector and the academe, for instance.
The MOA signing was held at the La Trinidad municipal hall. **Primo Agatep/ PNA
