Once-polluted Estero de Binondo, now a 'green belt'

The once-polluted Estero de Binondo is now considered a park or a "green belt" in the middle of the busy downtown Manila district.

The waterway has been rehabilitated, cleared of tons of garbage and shanties through a program that lasted for almost two years and cost about P10 million.

In Oscar Oida's report in 24 Oras, the waterway, once brimming with trash, now gleams with the reflection of the infrastructures surrounding it.

The stench coming from it was also reduced according to the residents.

"Dati kasi 'pag dumadaan ka dito, mabaho. Eh ngayon natanggal 'yung basura, nabawasan 'yung amoy," Kayen Lao, a resident said.

As part of the rehabilitation work on the site, the shanties on the along the Estero de Binondo were replaced with plants.

"It aims to absorb the negative chemicals na napo-produce or nare-release ng estero. At the same time, itong mga halaman na ito ay insect repellant. Ito rin po ay layuning matanggal o ma-reduce yung offensive odors na nare-release ng estero," Yra Dalao, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) Media and Communications Officer, said.

The PRRC believes that the successful collective effort to resuscitate the once-polluted Estero de Binondo proves that it is possible to save other garbage-choked bodies of water in Metro Manila.

"Sana yung mga communities natin, alam nila yung proper waste management para hindi po masayang yung efforts ng gobyerno," Dalao added.

She said the group will continue to monitor the waterway even after the rehabilitation work.

However, there are people who continue to throw their garbage into the estero.

Jorin Balladares, a "river warrior" who helps maintain the cleanliness along the waterway, said at times he feels frustrated because of the carelessness of the people.

"Medyo nakakaasar po sir, na gusto kong magalilt sir. Pero di ko magawang magalit. Nililinis ko na lang sir," he said.

PRRC said there are other estero or waterways that need to be cleared. However, all the effort will come to naught if the people continue to dump waste into the waterways.

"Sana 'yung mga communities natin, alam nila yung proper waste management para hindi masayang yung efforts ng gobyerno sa paglilinis ng ilog," said Dalao. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News