Who am I with?
DENR – ARMM specifically the PENRO (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office) – Maguindanao, together with CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office) have been implementing projects that have been helping the community and the environment, like upland development program in District 2 Maguindanao, Tree Planting activities under National Greening Program on District 1 Maguindanao and others. Together with local government of Cotabato City, they are also the leading agency who solved the 2011 Cotabato City flooding incident in Rio Grande de Mindanao. With their showed efforts, interest, determination and advocacy on solving environmental problems on specific places, DENR-ARMM PENRO/CENRO is the best agency in our place that I can tap on saving Rio Grande de Mindanao.
The Project Plan:
Rio Grande de Mindanao is one of the priorities of DENR – ARMM. They have conducted research and rendered solutions but still the problem is keep coming back. Therefore, I would like to impart to them all the knowledge I heve learn in the Study of the US Institute on Global Environment Issues, things that would help them save Rio Grande de Mindanao; inform them about the new technologies I witnessed in the U.S.; and participate in their environment activities. Here are my plan activities under “Mindanao Rioasis Project”:
§ A Tree Planting on the riverbank to prevent the erosion of the soil in the riverbank that results to widening of the river.
§ A Clean Drive operation on the river that would be done annually by the help of Local Government of Cotabato City.
§ A Livelihood Project on the water hyacinth to provide income for the local people. The products that would be processed will be showcased every Shariff Kabunsuan/Ginakit Festival, Araw ng Cotabato (Cotabato Day) and other special events of the place to ensure the market.
§ A Tree Planting on the riverbank to prevent the erosion of the soil in the riverbank that results to widening of the river.
§ A Clean Drive operation on the river that would be done annually by the help of Local Government of Cotabato City.
§ A Livelihood Project on the water hyacinth to provide income for the local people. The products that would be processed will be showcased every Shariff Kabunsuan/Ginakit Festival, Araw ng Cotabato (Cotabato Day) and other special events of the place to ensure the market.
And the QUESTION is...
The uncontrollable large number of growth of the water hyacinth at Rio Grande de Mindanao has been one of the problems of the places where it lays, specifically, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. This problem has caused stagnant flood that destroys the people’s homes, businesses and living. The DENR-ARMM and local government of Cotabato City took an in initiative last year on solving this problem. President Benigno Aquino III responded on the call of Cotabato City and Maguindanao flood problem. The President himself ordered public works and military personnel to clear the river of up to 20 hectares of water lily growth. The solution has been a great help to the place. It eradicated the flood and the large number of water hyacinth. Since Rio Grande de Mindanao is a historical site and where Ginakit Festival of Cotabato City is being held, it is indeed an important tourist destination. But the question is, had the solution that being held totally stop the unlikely number of growth of water hyacinth? Will it be sustainable? And, what will be the sustainable solution on controlling the number of water hyacinth that would be likely to the river?
The underlying problem!
The river has been clogged last year (2011) with water hyacinths, causing it to overflow after days of heavy rain. Floodwaters submerged at least 37 villages in Cotabato City alone and displaced some 6,000 families(Wikipedia). Some 66,000 people from 14 of this city’s 26 villages have been displaced by flood caused by days of heavy rains that showed no signs of abating.(www.interaksyon.com)
I am knocking your HEARTS...
This project is currently in partnership with DENR-ARMM PENRO/CENRO Maguindanao. Other interested and concerned NGO’s, businesses and individuals can also be part of the project. If given the opportunity to be heard by Congresswoman Bai Sandra Sema, Department of Tourism – ARMM, local government of Cotabato City and Province of Maguindanao will be a great help on realizing the project.