ALILEM, Ilocos Sur—Grade 6 pupils of Amilongan Elementary School participated in a river cleanup drive organized by Luzon Hydro in this town.
Engineer Rene Ronquillo, president and chief executive officer of the Hydroelectric Development Corp., said the youth has an important role in shaping the future.
“Instilling in them the mindset of environmental stewardship at an early age ensured the future of the community,” he said.
The town hosts the 70-MW Bakun AC hydropower plant.
Community members and Luzon Hydro employees guided the students as they joined the cleanup. The activity was geared towards sustaining local initiatives on environmental preservation and protection. This will strengthen the partnership of the renewable power generation company and the public.
Ronquillo said approximately 3 kilometers of tributaries of Amilongan Creek were cleaned, resulting in the collection of 35 kilograms of waste.
The river cleanup drive is in support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Adopt-an-Estero Program. The program aims to secure collaboration among communities along esteros or creeks and rivers to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier environment.
Most studies point to the fact that domestic wastewater is the principal cause (48 percent) of organic pollution of our water bodies. Thirty-one percent of all illnesses in the country are attributed to polluted waters.
“Guided by our sustainability mindset of doing well by doing good, we will help in whatever way we can as long as it is for the betterment of the environment,” Ronquillo added.
“We will also endeavor to promote better friendship and cooperation among stakeholders,” said Rey Rafael, plant manager of Bakun AC.