PILAR, Bataan – A river in Bataan bagged second place in the Recognizing Individuals/Institutions Towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERs) for Life Awards of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The Talisay River, a 13-kilometer river system between the City of Balanga and the town of Pilar in Bataan, got the award. It supports Bataan’s drainage system, livelihood and eco-tourism. It is one of the 17 principal river systems within the Manila Bay watershed area.
DENR Region 3 Executive Director Ralph Pablo and Bataan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Raul Mamac received the award on Thursday from DENR Assistant Sec. for Environment Jacqueline Caancan in Manila.
Mamac said the Talisay River has for its tributaries the Abo-Abo River, Tiawir River, Pantingan River and Catmon River that aside from serving as the main drainage system of Pilar and Balanga City also provides irrigation water to farmlands and fishponds.
It stretches from Barangay Liyang in Pilar and drains into Manila Bay through Barangays Tortugas and Puerto Rivas Ibaba in Balanga City. The awarded Balanga City Wetland and Nature Park, home to some species of migratory birds, is located at the mouth of the Talisay River in Tortugas.
Mamac said entries to the RIVERs for Life Awards were evaluated based on the activities and interventions undertaken by the concerned PENROs for their nominated rivers.
These include, he said, aesthetic water quality improvement, solid waste management, partnership and community mobilization, information and education campaigns, and innovations. (30)
