CITY OF KORONADAL, South Cotabato – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 spearheaded a cleanup drive on March 14 in celebration of the International Day of Action for Rivers, successfully collecting nearly 800 kilograms of trash across various river sites in Soccsksargen.
Under the theme “Our Rivers, Our Future,” the initiative brought together approximately 360 participants from local government units, government agencies, people’s organizations, the private sector, the academe, the youth sector, and local communities. The collective efforts aimed to conserve and protect the region’s rivers, which serve as vital water sources and ecological habitats.
Cleanup activities took place in General Santos City, Glan in Sarangani, as well as Isulan and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat, where a total of 795 kilograms of waste were removed. Additionally, DENR-12 led the planting of 370 bamboo propagules in General Santos City and Kiamba, Sarangani Province. The initiative seeks to prevent erosion, stabilize riverbanks, and enhance water quality through natural reforestation efforts.
DENR-12 Regional Executive Director Atty. Felix S. Alicer highlighted the indispensable role of rivers in daily life, emphasizing their contribution to water supply, biodiversity conservation, and economic activities. He underscored the importance of sustained conservation efforts to ensure that rivers continue to support agriculture, transportation, trade, and recreation for local communities.
To complement the cleanup efforts, DENR-12 field offices in Kidapawan City and Glan conducted information drives to educate the public about the significance of river conservation. The awareness campaigns focused on the impacts of pollution and the shared responsibility of protecting freshwater ecosystems.
The DENR-12 remains committed to fostering environmental stewardship and encouraging community participation in safeguarding the region’s water resources. Through sustained efforts and collaboration, the agency aims to promote cleaner and healthier rivers for future generations.
