CEBU CITY – After meeting nearly 60 representatives from the business sector, local government units (LGUs), academe, and other stakeholders for a Consultative Meeting for the “Linis Estero Program,” the director of the Region 7 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) recently announced that the program got a positive response from the various sectors.

The “Linis Estero Program” is a collaborative undertaking between and among the river or estero community, donor-partner, LGUs and the DENR.

DENR-7 Director Maximo O. Dichoso disclosed that donors or partners of the said program may be a business establishment, an industry association, a non-government organization (NGO), or any other group that volunteers to be a major actor in cleaning up our rivers.

“The donor may help in the clean-up of a river or estero by providing equipment, human power, and other resources needed to do actual clean-up in partnership with the concerned local government unit, the DENR and other partners,” Dichoso said.

He added that after the consultative meeting the participants directly committed to attain the goal of the program which aims to institutionalize good sanitation and solid wastes management practices among the river or estero communities.

The DENR-7, in partnership with the various sectors, is expected to conduct education campaign by making the community aware of the different issues especially on those areas with poor sanitation.

The DENR-7 official also shared that the warm expression of support by the business sector and other stakeholders in cleaning up the Butuanon and Guadalupe rivers and other tributaries to ensure unimpeded water flow, particularly during rainy season, is expected to reduce incidence of flooding that endangers lives and properties.

Butuanon River is a 23-kilometer water body which originates in the mountain area around Metro Cebu and eventually discharges into Mactan channel.

Approximately 10-kilometer in length, the river is crossing Metro Cebu area, most significantly the heavily industrialized and densely populated areas of Mandaue City.

On the other hand, Guadalupe River is a 12-kilometer water body which originates in the mountain area around Metro Cebu and eventually discharges into Mactan channel.