The DENR 7 inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Abatan River Development Management Council and 10 private partners for the clean-up and sustainable management of Abatan River under the adopt an estero/river program.

This is in line with the current efforts to restore and rehabilitate the country's rivers.

The new set of river adopters in Bohol are Marcela Farms Inc./Alturas Group, Bohol Quality Corporation, Agot Poultry, Kayakasia Ph, Bohol Water Utilities, Incorporated, Daplin Farm, Batulanon Enterprises, Coca Cola Beverages Philippines, Incorporated, LLJ Lumber Dealer and Supply and MJK Construction Supply.

The signing of the MOA was led by DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales and Dr. Glen Doloritos representing Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto and attended by representatives of partner national government agencies PNP, BISU Main Campus, PIA, DPWH and AFP.

Under the MOA, river adopters will implement and conduct rehabilitation efforts along the portion of the river they adopted.

In his message, Gonzales shared that one of the commitments of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu during the International River Summit held last November 2018 in Cebu City is for DENR to spearhead and facilitate the cleaning up of rivers in the country. "While the DENR is doing its best, we are counting for the support and commitment of our partners, the LGU, all the government agencies, and all the other sectors,industries and stakeholders to work with us in achieving the objectives of the R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Program".

Dr. Doloritos in behalf of Gov. Chatto expressed the strong commitment of the provincial government to participate and carry out the program to ensure the protection and conservation of the rivers in the province.

Aside from the signing of MOA, the Provincial Government of Bohol will issue an Executive Order creating the R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG). The PTWG will be chaired by the Provincial Government of Bohol and DENR PENRO Bohol with the following members: EMB-PEMO, PGBh-Bohol Environment Management Office and 30 LGUs that forms part of the three identified priority rivers, the Abatan River, Manaba River and Wahig-Inabanga river.

Also composing the PTWG are national government agencies such as DILG, PNP-Bohol Provincial Police Office, DepEd, DOH, DPWH,AFP 302nd Infantry Brigade, BISU, PIA and Information officers of the 30 LGUs and representatives of industries operating near the rivers and other waterbodies.

Other than participating in series of river clean-up activities, these partners will also assist the DENR in conducting barangay IEC campaign, inspection and monitoring of industries that are point source of river pollution and development of river rehabilitation plan to ensure sustainability.

Source: http://r7.denr.gov.ph/index.php/86-region-news-items/392-moa-signing-with-the-abatan-river-development-management-council