In celebration of the World Water Day and to strengthen the collaboration with the industries towards a healthy, clean and safe environment, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) X partners with 13 industries in Northern Mindanao for the Adopt-An-Estero Program.

A signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was conducted on March 22, 2021 at DENR X, Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City between EMB X OIC, Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo and the representatives of the 13 industries in Northern Mindanao to forge a five-year partnership for the Adopt-An-Estero Program. The event was witnessed by DENR X Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable.

In his message, OIC, RD Digamo said that there is currently a total of 77 partners of the Adopt-An-Estero Program in Region X. He added that the program aimed to maintain and enhance the water bodies and it is more effective if the DENR will partner directly to the industries as part also of their social corporate responsibility. He encouraged them to take a lead in improving the water quality in esteros, creeks and rivers.

DENR X Director Adorable said that the MOA signing will formalize and strengthen the collaboration with the industries towards cleaner esteros and water bodies in Region X.

The Adopt-An-Estero/Water Body Program is a collaborative undertaking between and among communities along esteros or creeks and rivers, concerned local government units, private sector and the DENR to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier environment. The major objectives of the program include removal of wastes, debris, and silt from esteros and mobilization of estero communities in clean-up drives and enlisting their active participation in implementing and preparing plans to sustain their efforts.

The 13 industries who forged a partnership with the DENR on the Adopt-An-Estero Program include St. Jude Dressing Plant, Tagoloan Agri-Milling Corp., Nutrimax Fresh Baked Inc., and ARC Refreshments Corp. who adopted Pugaan Creek in Tagolan, Misamis Oriental; Triple C Dressing Plant and Anakciano, Inc. for Tagolan River, Misamis Oriental; Tanduay Distillers Incorporated, Asia Brewery Inc., and Donau Carbon Philippines Corp. for Bolobolo Creek in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental; PhilFresh Meats Corp., Zest-O Corp., North Star Asia Holding Corp., for Ulaliman Creek, Duyugan Creek, and Sapong Creek in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, respectively; and JBC Food Corp for Alae Creek in Alae, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

The MOA signing is part of the observance of World Water Day on March 22 with the theme “Valuing Water: What does water mean to you? which celebrates water and raises awareness of the global water crisis. It also in support to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030. (#TayoAngKalikasan RSCIG No. 03-098-2021)