By Freddie Velez CALUMPIT, Bulacan—A congressman from Bulacan is calling on his provincemates to support the  clean-up of rivers and waterways. Rep. Alvarado (Photo courtesy of Cong. Kuya Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado official Facebook page) Representative Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado said that the massive clean up drive is the best way to create a safe, clean and disaster-resilient community and to protect it from climate-related disasters and illnesses. Alvarado said the River System-Cleanup  joint project of the provincial government headed by Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Malolos Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian aims to reduce flood risks. He said that through a united effort and discipline, the Herculean task of cleaning and saving the rivers, creeks, esteros and drainage systems can be achieved by removing garbage and silt from rivers and waterways. He urged requested  Bulakenyos to stop throwing garbage into rivers, which have become heavily silted and clogged with waste. Recently, Fernando and Gatchalian  supervised the Provincial Engineer’s Office  dredging  of the 4.6-kilometer Apulid Creek in Barangay Longos, one of the waterways that empty into Sto. Niño River, one of the major river systems in the province that is connected to Manila Bay. Fernando reminded his constituents that the fight to protect the environment does not stop at dredging alone, but it entails self-discipline with regard to proper waste management. “Kahit paulit-ulit man nating palalimin ang ating mga kailogan at sapa, kung hindi naman matitigil ang walang disiplinang pagtatapon ng basura sa mga ito, hindi pa rin matutugunan ang problema sa baha,” he said.