BANGUED, Abra (PIA) - - Efforts to curb the pollution along the Abra River and Tineg River will be carried out with the reported  presence of coliforms discharged along the river tributaries.

Abra Provincial Environment Management Unit (PEMU) Head Joyce Anne Mangsat said the pollution of Abra River is one of the pressing environmental problems in the province.

The monitoring of the river is in line with the RIVERS for life program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

RIVERS stands for Recognizing Individuals/Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers which aims to raise awareness of the need to protect and conserve the rivers in the country.

Mangsat reported in a Kapihan forum with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO-Abra) that coliforms were recorded high in six sampling areas along the river tributaries exceeding the allowable limit of less than 1.1 most probable number (MPN).

MPN is applied in the detection and enumeration of bacteria in food and water as a way of preventing infections and diseases.

Results were gleaned from the first quarter water quality monitoring and sampling report of the Environment and Management Bureau –Cordillera with San Quintin-Abra River tributary recording the highest at 240,000 MPN. It is followed by Sinalang Bridge – Abra River which recorded 79,000 MPN; Dolores-Tineg River with 16,000 MPN; Tayum – Upstream Abra River with 11,000 MPN; Pidigan – Abra River with 7,900 MPN, and Calaba – Abra River with 3,300 MPN.

Mangsat said the most probable source of fecal coliform is from human and animal wastes, piggeries, poultries .It could also be direct discharge coming from the institutions particularly bogged down sewerage system and waste water treatment.

 She informed that they will come up with a composite team to conduct a survey to determine the source of pollutants, The team will be composed of the DENR Abra, Provincial local government, municipal local government of Bangued, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, and the Philippine National Police. 

An ocular inspection for the identification of solid wastes and fecal coliform sources will also be undertaken.

Mangsat said the PENRO together with the PEMU will coordinate with the concerned local government units such as San Quintin, Pidigan, Bangued, Tayum and Dolores and the concerned barangays.

Last July 10, a clean up drive along esteros was held as a strategy in protecting the river.  The Adopt an Estero clean up drive was spearheaded by the Bangued local government and facilitated by PENRO Abra, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office – Bangued and PEMU Abra as   part of culminating activity of Environment Month. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Abra)