Third Adopt-an-Estero Program Launched

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – A school in Pico, here has been acknowledged by the Local Government as one of the three schools in the area to assume responsibility for a tributary stream line connected to Balili River, a main waterbody in the area.
Kings College of the Philippines (KCP) has launched its Adopt-an-Estero program as the third installment of its Adopt-a-Series Community Project, in joint coordination with the Department of
Environment and National Resources (DENR) and the Municipality of La Trinidad.
KCP has adopted stream line areas of the Balili River with an approximate length of 192 meters and also a tributary line of the main river located at the first bridge of Pico road.
Tributaries are one of the contributors of pollution and can also be considered as a root impurity for a body of water, with the Bollo creek being the main tributary stream line of the
Balili River.
These stream lines are infamous all over the municipality of La Trinidad as they pass through different commercial buildings, residences, not to mention farm lands that use pesticides that
seep in through the ground.
Office of Extension Services (OES) director Angeline T. Bugtong
implemented the project starting with the Adopt-a- Barangay program, taking Barangay Shilan, the highest recipient of 4P’s in the area, under college wing in partnership with representatives of the
Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD).
Followed by its Adopt-a-Street program, the municipalities first,
where members of the faculty, students and non-teaching personnel have scheduled clean-up drives every week for a period of three (3) years, which started from academic year 2018 up through 2021.
“This project, may it be compulsory, never gave us the feeling of compliance as it is not only the school’s advocacy but also the school personnel’s”, Bugtong said.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), designated head Arthur A. Pedro feels grateful to these different public and private educational establishments, that contribute and go out of their way to advocate for the environment.
“We are very happy to see these schools, as we have potential partners who will protect and preserve our environment in the future” Pedro said.
Benguet State University (BSU) was the first to implement the environmental adoption for its Agricultural programs, while the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) signed in at the same time with Kings College.
All three advocates plan to spear head the upcoming cleanup drive for Balili River which will commence on March 15, 2019.
The public is encouraged to participate and take part in the stand for environmental protection.
 
 
Reign Keryao, UB Intern/ABN

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