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Panlibatuhan River in Valencia City emerged as the winner in the recently concluded Regional Search for Recognizing Institutions/Individuals Towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (R.I.V.E.Rs) for Life Award for FY 2019 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X (DENR X).

R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award was institutionalized by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to raise awareness on the need to protect and conserve rivers and encourage partnership with stakeholders to sustain the cleanliness of rivers in the country.

DENR X Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable disclosed that the local government of Valencia City under Mayor Azucena P. Huervas received a Plaque of Recognition from DENR X for having been instrumental in the improvement of the water quality of Panlibatuhan River and promoting solid waste management and sustaining partnership and community clean-ups.

He further revealed that the winner will be the official entry of DENX for the National Search for R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award for FY 2020.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Valencia City was also awarded a Plaque of Appreciation for their invaluable contribution in the rehabilitation of Panlibatuhan River and pursuing environmental awareness and activism in the locality.

The award was signed by RED Adorable, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Efren B. Carido.

The criteria for judging include Aesthetics and Water Quality Improvement, Solid Waste Management, Partnership/Community Mobilization and Information, Education Campaign.

The other winners of the contest are the following: 1st runner-up – Manuto River with local government unit (LGU) partner Quezon, Bukidnon under Mayor Pablo M. Lorenzo III and 2nd runner-up – Umalag River with LGU partner Cagayan de Oro City under Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. The implementers, CENRO Don Carlos, Bukidnon and CENRO-Initao, Misamis Oriental, respectively, each received a Plaque of Appreciation.

The other awardees are Aloran River in Aloran, Misamis Occidental under Mayor Junipher A. Roa, Maranding River in Lala and Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte under Lala Mayor Angel L. Yap and Kapatagan Mayor Barry Yu Baguio, Labo River in Ozamiz City under Mayor Sancho Fernando Oaminal and Agus River in Baloi, Lanao del Norte under Mayor Hanifa P. Ali. The local government unit partners also received a Plaque of Recognition.

The implementing Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices of Oroquieta City, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, Ozamiz City and Iligan City each received a Plaque of Appreciation.

The chairman of the Technical Working Group is the Chief of the Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division (LPDD) of DENR X Forester Roel G. Dahonog with members from EMB X- Engr. Marivic F. Lluisma, Engr. Raedwulf C. Geollegue and Engr Dovee Cherry I. Geollegue; Forester Domingo B. Lebosada representing MGB X; Forester Raul A. Pallares and Forester Analie I. Uayan from DENR X.

The rivers are classified by EMB as Class C or those assessed to be safe for propagation of aquatic fish, boating, fishing and other recreational use, agriculture, irrigation and livestock watering. #TayoAngKalikasan RPAO # 07-182-2020