PRRC praised for Maytunas Creek rehabilitation

Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos expressed her gratitude to PRRC Executive Director Jose Goitia and to all PRRC employees for their efforts in cleaning and developing the Maytunas creek.

(L-R) Ms. Elaine Aparis of LGU Manila DPS, Ms. Maria Luz Olazo of LGU San Juan-CENRO, Ms. Frederika C. Rentoy of LGU QC-EPWMD, Exec. Dir. Jose Antonio E. Goitia of PRRC, Mr. Emmanuel P. Oblea Jr. of LGU Mandaluyong-CENRO, and Dep. Dir. Anshari C. Lomodag Jr. of PRRC shows their unity toward controlling the pollution in San Juan River through the installation of inter-city trash traps last May 3, 2018.

The developed Maytunas creek linear park has been opened to the public since February 24, 2016.

The PRRC installed waste water interventions at Maytunas creek such as bioremediation and interceptor canal.

According to Goitia, the said creek’s 1,368 linear meters of recovered easements also feature solar-powered and electric lighting fixtures, paver blocks, concrete bench, railings, and ramp for persons with disabilities.

The awful condition of the Maytunas creek in Manadaluyong City before rehabilitation.

The rehabilitated Maytunas creek in Mandaluyong is looking beautiful as a linear park.

Prior to its rehabilitation, Mandaluyong LGU’s environmental management department head Emmanuel “Sonny” Oblea shared that they used to receive numerous complaints about the massive volume of wastes in Maytunas creek.

Mandaluyong City likewise installed trash traps before but their efforts were unsuccessful due to the massive amount of garbage to clean.

“Hindi pa ‘to [inter-city installation of trash traps] nagagawa, naglalagay na kami ng trap. Sa loob ng isang buwan, apat na beses na naglilinis kami because of numerous complaints,” said Oblea.

Oblea pointed out the important role of PRRC’s leadership and interagency cooperation in rehabilitating the creek that has prevented the flooding in the area.

“But because of the project of the PRRC again, inayos nila yung aming Maytunas creek. I think last year, wala na akong natatanggap na reklamo tungkol sa mga basura na nagka-clog doon sa aming part of Maytunas,” Oblea stated.

 Maytunas creek is one of the 47 identified tributaries of the Pasig River system.

PRRC, NHA relocate another 60 ISFs from Estero de Magdalena

Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) relocated another batch of informal settler families (ISFs) along the stretch of Estero de Magdalena in Manila on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 with the help of the Local Inter-Agency Committee of Manila and the Local Government of Trece Martires, Cavite.
PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio "Pepeton" E. Goitia said 60 families were transferred to their new houses in Summer Home, Trece Martires, Cavite.

From November 2015 to July 3, PRRC already transferred 1,049 ISFs out of the target 2,015 to various relocation sites in Bulacan and Cavite.

Goitia said that before the relocation, the families were accompanied and assisted by PRRC in various community dialogues and ocular inspections as part of their social preparation.
They were also provided with trucks and vans as they move to the relocation site.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Manila likewise provided each family with food supplies such as rice, canned goods and coffee.

Other entitlements included livelihood assistance and disaster preparedness training.

Goitia further added that Mayor Sagun would spearhead series of job fairs for the families in addition to livelihood training assistance.

Once all the ISFs are removed, the PRRC could begin the construction of the linear park along the estero as it did in Estero de Pandacan, Estero de Paco, Maytunas Creek, Estero de San Miguel and many other once-polluted waterways.

The government allotted P17 million for the rehabilitation of Estero de Magdalena into a clear waterway with easements developed into a linear park useful for community access and recreation.
The families watched and consented to the dismantling of their informal settlements with smiles on their faces as they moved to Cavite.

Trece Martires Mayor Melandres G. De Sagun welcomed the families in Cavite and ensured that their houses were in good condition, and accessible to important facilities like hospital and school.

For inquiries, please contact:
George Oliver G. De La Rama
Head, Public Information Advocacy and Tourism Division

Alyssa Chrizelle N. Miclat
Information Officer III
Tel. No.: (02) 926-5232 local 110 0933.499.6737
Mobile No.: 0906-277- 7946 0998.999.1192
Email: prrc.gov@gmail.com
prrc.gov@gmail.com
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PRRC RESCUED FAMILIES DURING TYPHOON HENRY FLOODS

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) on July 17, 2018 rescued and evacuated residents living along the river to temporarily evacuate to a safer area as Typhoon #HenryPH caused flooding in low-lying areas. PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio E. Goitia mobilized the river warriors to assist him in the rescue operations while the river patrols assisted in the monitoring of water level in the other areas of Pasig and San Juan Rivers. Goitia identified the families living along San Juan River, particularly in Gumamela St., Barangay Roxas District in Quezon City.

During the inspection conducted by PRRC, Goitia observed the dangerous current of water in San Juan River. Because of this, Goitia appealed to the residents, who initially refused PRRC’s help, to temporarily evacuate until the heavy rain pours out. “Sana huwag na po nating hintaying malagay tayo sa panganib bunsod ng pagtaas ng tubig sa ilog,” Goitia said. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) raised Orange Rainfall Warning in Metro Manila.

PRRC urges public to share unique stories about Pasig River

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) urged the public to share their unique stories about the Pasig River. According to PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio E. Goitia, the public needs to know these stories to inspire them to help in the revival of the Pasig River. These stories can be sent to the PRRC and those that will be chosen will be posted on the website— theriverman.org.

"We need to share these unique stories to let the public know how we value the Pasig River," Goitia added. At the same time, Goitia said the Commission is determined to bring Pasig River back to life. This meant putting mechanisms to prevent and to counter acts of "esterorism" in rivers and waterways that lead to Pasig River. In addition, he said that the PRRC River Warriors were able to divert 21 million kilos of solid waste from the Pasig River. Due to PRRC's efforts and determination, 17 priority tributaries had been converted into environmental preservation areas. "The Pasig River was once biologically dead but now the river has gradually backed to life," Goitia added. According to Goitia, the public should not lose hope for the Pasig River to survive because it has gradually been happening. In this regard, Goitia called on the public to cooperate with and help the government on the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. "You are not only helping us but the generations to come, they will realize that Pasig River is a dream that will become a reality," said Goitia.

More stories here: http://theriverman.org/