Sandiwa - Cleaning of San Jose rivers

Dear Kabayans,

Yesterday 14 April 2006 I got the following letter from cousin Gracia Ona. The SANDIWA Multipurpose Cooperative headed by her sister, former councilor Sister Emma Alday, has embarked on the enterprise of cleaning our rivers. Please give it sympathetic consideration. Since Gracia does not have an email address, I can forward to her whatever you wish to convey.

By the way, I participated in the Good Friday procession in our town. It wound up to the highway in Taysan, back and though the streets of our town. I saw many of our kabayans, some even from abroad. Sadly, some have passed away or are too weak to join the procession and even to view it as it passed by. We pray for all of them and for you, too. Like me, many join the procession until they can no longer do so. May the Risen Lord bless us all!

Thanks a lot.



DEAR KABABAYAN:

RE: REHABILITATION OF SAN JOSE, BATANGAS RIVERS & CREEKS

At the time of its foundation on 26 April 1765, the name of our town was Malaquing Tubig after the river of clear water running through it. Then it was changed to San Jose de Malaquing Tubig after the patron saint of the Fr. Jose Victoria, OSA, the parish priest at that time. Then, it was changed to the present San Jose.

NOW, not only the name Malaquing Tubig, but also most if not all our rivers have been lost. For more than 20 years, our rivers and creeks have progressively become the waste disposal units of most, if not all the piggery and poultry establishments, our town's major source of income. Worse, even household and commercial waste, most of them non-biodegradable, are also being dumped into the nearest bridges and creeks. This is in spite of the five (5) pages ordinance on the Environment passed and approved by the Sangguniang Bayan in 1992.

Last 29 October 2005, our cooperative, the SANDIWA Multipurpose Cooperative, an accredited NGO of our town, launched an environment protection campaign program during a Halloween Party at the town's covered court. We sold tickets and solicited funds from our families and friends to be able to clean the first river of concern, the Kawakawa River in Lapulapo 1.0. On 25 February 2006, to celebrate the People Power Anniversary, we initiated the "Sama-samang Paglilinis ng Kawakawa". More than 200 people from various sectors participated. Since then, activities are going on at the river: clearing of silt and wastes that clog the narrow water passages, water testing, landscaping, irrigating and pathway development. A massive awareness program and monitoring activities are on-going. All these happen because of the small amount we raised during the launching. There are very generous souls who offer their services free.

According to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, after the lab test on the quality of the water at Kawakawa River made last 28 March 2006, no aquatic creature could survive in the water of the said river.

Last April 8, together with some local government officials and environment field workers, the Multi-sectoral Group visited places where wastes are dumped directly into the river. We identified ten (10) livestock raisers and one (1) Chicken Dressing Plant in the area for further evaluation. Sacks of household wastes are being dumped directly in the Aya River. Landowners near and beside the river were notified and hopefully they will join the crusade to treat our watersheds not merely as a support system for our livelihood but as a sacred source of life provided by the Creator.

It is our dream that our efforts to bring back life in our rivers will be self-sustaining. This is where we need your financial assistance. Programs are being developed to assure sustainability. With a little more assistance, it can become an ideal venue for nature trippers, fishing, swimming and laundry. We wish to set-up an open classroom by the riverbank where workshops can be held both for children and adults. The ambience is perfect for art lessons like painting, pottery, art crafts, guitar lessons, environment awareness, solid waste management, etc.

Proceeds from these activities must be able to continuously develop Kawa-kawa River and start the rehabilitation of the next rivers of concern.

This we cannot reach without initial support from friends like you. We appeal to your generous heart and deep respect for the environment to help us realize our vision and mission for San Jose.

On Earth Day 22 April 2006 at 3:00 P.M., a Mass to be officiated by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles will highlight our "Piknikan sa Kawakawa". It will mark the start of the week-long celebration of our town's 241st Foundation Day Anniversary. Please be one with us. Your presence will mean a lot.

Please let us know when and where it will be more convenient to you to send your donation and suggestions. Sr. EMMA ALDAY, president of SANDIWA can be contacted at (043)726-2873 or 09162126685 or you could directly deposit in the Bank of the Philippine Islands, Lipa City Highway under SANDIWA's account with Savings Acct. No. 0883-0680-92.