On March 31, 2019, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) participated in the massive simultaneous Tullahan-Tinajeros River System clean-up, dubbed as “Battle for Rivers and Esteros,” in connection with the “Battle for Manila Bay” project headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The 27-kilometer Tullahan-Tinajeros River System spans from La Mesa Water Reservoir in Fairview, Quezon City, all the way to the mouth of Manila Bay at Centennial Park in Navotas City. The said river system is considered as one of the most polluted waterways in Metro Manila and a major tributary of Manila Bay.
MGB, composed of five (5) teams, spearheaded the conduct of the simultaneous estero clean-up in the following barangays in Quezon City: Holy Spirit, Batasan Hills, Commonwealth, Talipapa and Greater Lagro. The said barangays were identified as part of the simultaneous clean-up since these have respective waterways draining at Tullahan-Tinajeros River System. Among the waterways cleaned were St. Catherine Creek in Holy Spirit; Libis Creek in Batasan Hills; Paltok Creek in Commonwealth; Dario Creek in Talipapa; and Regalado Creek in Greater Lagro.
Atty. Jonas R. Leones, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs, DENR and Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, Acting Director, MGB, led the massive simultaneous clean-up and turnover of clean-up implements at Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City. The other four barangays also received clean-up implements such as sacks, masks, gloves, rubber boots, scoop nets, rakes, shovels and broomsticks that were donated by San Miguel Corporation.
Around 20,550 kilograms or 22.65 tons of garbage were collected in 1.06-kilometer stretch of waterways during the clean-up. There were about 400 volunteers, composed of Barangay Officials and other stakeholders (Purok Leaders, women’s group, religious group, Sangguniang Kabataan, etc.), who joined in the momentous clean-up event.
By: Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division
Fig. 1. Official IEC material on the simultaneous clean-up (Source: www.denr.gov.ph)
Photo 1. Turnover of clean-up implements donated by San Miguel Corporation at Barangay Commonwealth with Usec Jonas R. Leones and MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano
Photo 2. Volunteers from Barangay Commonwealth with Usec Leones and Director Moncano going to Paltok Creek
Photo 3. Volunteers from Barangay Batasan Hills with MGB personnel
Photo 4. Volunteers from Barangay Holy Spirit with MGB personnel
Photo 5. Volunteers from Barangay Greater Lagro with MGB personnel
hoto 6. Paltok Creek clean-up at Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City
Photo 7. St. Catherine Creek clean-up at Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City
Photo 8. Regalado Creek clean-up at Barangay Greater Lagro, Quezon City
Photo 9. Libis Creek clean-up at Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City.
Photo 10. Dario Creek clean-up at Barangay Talipapa, Quezon City