The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has started installing trash net traps in Banica River in Dumaguete City to facilitate the removal of garbage that has been thrown into the river.
The first trap was installed along the river’s portion in Barangay Tabuc-tubig. The Lee Plaza company donated trash net traps to help clean Banica River.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Viernov Grefalde said the DENR will also place additional trash net traps in other parts of the river to prevent trash from going straight into the ocean.
Tabuc-tubig punong barangay Randy Fausto said the traps are of great help to their community. Aside from cleaning the river of garbage, it will also give more livelihood to residents because they can use or sell recyclable trash caught in the nets.
The installation of traps was in celebration of World Environment Day.
A multisectoral cleanup drive along Banica River was also held.
Grefalde said the cleanup is part of the DENR’s strategies to draw commitment and support from community stakeholders in preserving Banica River, which is a vital water source for Negrenses.
He stressed that keeping the river clean is important so that plastic wastes won’t be carried into the ocean and consumed by marine animals. | PIA
