‘Sacred cows’ defy Espino’s order
Guv directs filing of cases
LINGAYEN–Illegal structures that have recently been torn down by Task Force Kalikasan under the provincial government’s river clean-up program are creeping back.
A task force report says that some owners of the dismantled illegal structures have started to reconstruct their contraptions, which serve as fish pens, attachment for fish traps, or props for oysters and mussels.
Tommy Cabigas, assistant commander for Task Force Kalikasan, said “former sacred cows” are defiant and are evidently testing the resolve of Gov. Amado Espino Jr.
Cabigas, however, said the provincial government is determined in its effort to revitalize Pangasinan’s rivers and will not let these few groups get their way.
He said several task groups have already been alerted to stop the reconstruction of the illegal structures.
According to Provincial Information Officer Orpheus Velasco, the task force has been instructed by Espino to file cases in court against those reconstructing their dismantled structures for violation of the law on waterways.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Meanwhile, Task Force Kalikasan has also reported that gains have been made over the last few weeks with at least 60 percent of the rivers in Binmaley, Lingayen and Bugallon towns already restored to their original state as a result of the clean up drive.
Cabigas, who led members of the local media to a cruise along the newly cleaned rivers last week, said people from the communities are beginning to appreciate the efforts for the program.
So far, river portions that have bean cleaned up include those in Poblacion, Naguilayan, Manat, Caloocan Dupo and Salapingao in Binmaley; San Jose, Poblacion, Balococ, and the Banaga area between Lingayen and Bugallon.
“In the near future, when we have completed our mission, we hope to regain the lost pristine beauty of our rivers which have been ravaged by the vultures of nature,” said Paterno Orduna, head of Task Force Kalikasan.
The clean-up program is supported by regional, provincial and municipal leaders who signed a covenant last August 25 to seal their commitment.—LM
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