Industrial sector adopts rivers in Laguna de Bay Region
By Martin Antonio | May 3, 2011
Industry giants have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Laguna Lake Development Authority
(LLDA) on a project dubbed as “Adopt-a-River”, a
priority venture under the River Rehabilitation Program
of LLDA. The program is geared towards the
rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the
rivers within the Laguna de Bay Region.
Under the terms of agreement, the adoptive party, in
coordination with the River Councils organized by LLDA,
will take a lead role in River Conservation Advocacy and
help formulate a Development and Management Plan for the
river they have chosen to adopt with the end view of
generating active participation from barangays,
industries, commercial establishments and local
government units within the area.
According to LLDA General Manager Rod Cabrera,
Adopt-a-River involves primarily the development of
river segmentation and site assessment, community
profiling, information drives and motivation campaigns,
establishment of eco-parks and water purification
facilities. In coordination with LLDA, the adopters will
provide financial and technical assistance to the LGUs
and River Councils in realizing this project.
Large companies such as Jeon & Han’s International and
Tanduay Distillers Inc. have already signed memorandums
with LLDA. J&H has embarked itself on the water
purification of Laguna Lake and the dredging of the
mouth of its tributaries with Chairman Il-Sung Jeon
signing the MOU last February 2011. While Tanduay have
pledged for the rehabilitation and conservation of
Cabuyao River with Chairman Lucio Tan signing the MOA
last November 2010.
Just recently, seven corporations have adopted the
Teresa River in Rizal. The signing of the MOU was held
on 18 April 2011 with the following signatories: LLDA GM
Rod Cabrera, Teresa Mayor Rodel N. Dela Cruz, Ricardo
Mendoza of Republic Cement Corp., Annie Dee of Teresa
Marble Corp., Philip Guong of Cosmos Farm, Geraldine
Pasion of CDY Farm, Nolie Semeniano of ABC Phil. Inc.
and representatives from Robina Farm and Foremost Farm.
“The health of the Laguna Lake ultimately depends on the
health of each and every tributary, creek, rivulet and
stream that flows into the rivers which eventually reach
the lake. Through multi-stakeholder and multi-sector
involvement such as the case of Adopt-a-River, LLDA’s
capacity of ensuring the protection, rehabilitation and
development of the Laguna Lake is greatly enhanced”, GM
Cabrera added.
