When a ‘clean’ river mean more

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob

BECAUSE nothing beats a good domino effect…

Personally, I find the view of a clean river very soothing: the tidy water, the aqua-organisms living within it, plus the fresh air surrounding it. It’s a scenic view and a relaxing atmosphere. So if I were handling a checklist, I would’ve scribbled a big check beside the word ‘environment’ (or something like green, eco-, and other related words) and another check on ‘tourism’ because an immaculate area is always a place to be.

A few days ago, we interviewed Mr. Fernando Ferrer, the agri-officer of Binmaley, the town known for its seafood bounty. He said the industry has been flourishing and the main factor for such is the improved water quality of their rivers. Indeed, another check there! Economy (or aquaculture industry), check.

I remember sometime in the last quarter of 2013, a national television program featured our revived rivers brought about by concerted effort of the government and the people. The provincial governor himself, Amado Espino Jr., sparked up this effort with the Save the Lingayen Gulf (SLING) Movement when he was not yet the chief executive. That initiative to perk up our waters continued with the “Ilog ko, Bilayen tan Aroen ko” project implemented in different towns. Good thing, some city and municipal chief executives as well as private groups and individuals have also been doing their share for that advocacy.

Massive clean-ups and removal of illegal structures such as fish pens and fish cages did not only revive the life of our rivers, but more significantly, the lives of the people who are very dependent on the industry. And, as I’ve started out, for the rest of the populace, the clean rivers bestow a picturesque place. For me, it’s yet another thing that heightens up my pride as a Pangasinense.

The effort to bring our rivers back to life did not only hit two birds with one stone, it has gone beyond that. Thus, I hope our people, particularly our honorable leaders, would not only attempt at petty projects with one-time or one-aspect impact. Please try kick-starting a good domino effect — consider the environment, the tourism, the economy; or health, tourism, and economy; and the options go on – and surely you will capture the people’s hearts.

Again, nothing beats a good domino effect. I guess that’s a deal, just my thought.

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