BAGUIO CITY – The Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC) will go beyond cleaning up activities and will push for community involvement in the protection of the Balili River.
This was agreed upon during the BRSRC Action Planning Workshop held at the University of the Philippines- Baguio on January 21.
Dean Aurea Sandoval of Benguet State University pointed out that the clean-up activities they have spearheaded in the past have not much of an impact in the revitalization of the Balili River.
University of the Cordilleras Director for Research and Development Center, Engr. Nathaniel Lubrica seconded that fully revitalizing Balili River will not be successful with just clean-up drive; it needs community involvement .
Proposed activities to encourage community involvement include “Adopt a Community” project wherein different institutions will adopt barangays within the stretch of the river and educate the residents about protecting this important river system.
Aside from pushing for behavioral change, the education campaign will also give focus on the improvement of the governance of barangay officials with regards to the environment.
The BRSRC formed in 2011 includes the Environmental Management Board – Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the academe and local government units of Baguio City and La Trinidad, government offices, private/industry partners and civil society group./JDP/CCD/Via Perez – PIA UC Intern
