Do you know that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employs around 2,700 estero rangers and river warriors nationwide?
Their task is to dredge the rivers, streams and esteros to prevent the occurrence of devastating floods—a job that many other workers would not accept.
Recently, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Loyzaga honored the best-performing of these employees by giving them awards and incentives.
Loyzaga recognized the critical role of their “estero rangers and river warriors” in protecting the country’s waterways and in the fight against climate change.
She praised the significant contribution of the workers and emphasized the need to expand support for their welfare, including access to training programs, scholarships, and healthcare services.
The DENR underscored the impact of their work, noting that as of December 2024, estero rangers have removed over 1.2 million sacks of water waste, equivalent to 38 million kilograms of waste, including 120,000 water lilies. The cleaning efforts covered 354 waterways and 488 villages in Metro Manila.
In Aklan, the province’s officials like Gov. Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores, Vice Gov. Reynaldo Quimpo and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are one in keeping their rivers, bays and coastline clean, productive and sustainable.
The Aklan river, and the rivers in Ibajay, Tangalan, Jalon and Talon—along with the long coastline of the province—provide fish and marine resources and livelihood for the Aklanons.
Their officials recognized this, and therefore approved the Aklan Rivers, Bays and Coasts Integrated Management (ABC) Strategy of the Province of Aklan.
They wanted to ensure the sustainable development of Aklan’s upland, riverine, coastal and marine environment, natural resources and ecosystem services.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #Editorial #DENR