LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – In a bid to discourage the public from throwing wastes into rivers, the provincial government is offering cash rewards to persons reporting violators who indiscriminately throw garbage into natural waterways.

Provincial Information Officer Buth Velasco said that Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. is offering P10,000 as a reward for any concerned citizen of Pangasinan who can arrest or seize persons throwing garbage into rivers.

This developed as Espino launched a campaign urging Pangasinenses to involve themselves in his advocacy to protect the environment last June 6 during the kick-off ceremony for the observance of Environment Month at the Capitol Plaza here.

Espino will also give P2,000 for those who can identify a violator and P5,000 if they present a photo where the violator is caught in the act.

“Naisip natin ang reward system para malaman ko kung sino ang gumagawa niyan. Parang namiminsala na sila, talagang nag-iisip na lang para sirain ang programa natin," Gov. Espino explained.

He said the reward money will come from his own pocket.

“I am taking this personally since nobody is attending to it. Pinababayaan lang ng iba,” he added.

Espino expressed displeasure to the people responsible for making our rivers look unpleasant especially those who are throwing garbage into it.

“This is to emphasize my concern about this unconcerned people. Ang ganda-ganda na ng mga ilog dahil nilinis natin. Napakahirap ng ginawa natin pero may mga nagtatapon ng basura sa ilog,” Espino lamented.

It can be recalled that Gov. Espino created the Task Force Kalikasan that conducted a massive river-clean up. The province is now regaining the lost bounty and beauty of Pangasinan rivers which have been ravaged by vultures of nature.

"Dapat trabaho ito ng PENRO, CENRO at PNP ang panghuhuli ng mga nagpo-pollute sa mga ilog. Pero kahit sila puwedeng tumanggap ng reward," Espino added.

Gov. Espino said violators can be reported to any local police stations, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and to the barangay.