BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO)- of Abra and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Bangued and Lagangilang joined the celebration of World Wetlands Day by leading a clean-up drive along the Abra River.
 
World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 of each year to raise awareness about wetlands in order to reverse their rapid destruction and stimulate conservation and restoration efforts.

This year’s theme “Wetlands Action for People and Nature” highlights the importance of local initiatives to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands as a vital ecosystem for local communities.
 
Personnel of PENRO Abra led a clean-up drive of the Abra River at Brgy. Poblacion, Tayum. It was participated by Local Government Unit (LGU) Tayum, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Abrenian Youth Organizations Society (AYOS).
 
PENRO-Abra Technical Services Division Officer-in-Charge Shirley Leaño emphasized the four massage of this year’s wetland campaign which are Value, Manage, Restore and Love.
 
“We have to value our river system because it represents our wetlands here. Secondly is manage which will be done through solid waste management, then restore the cleanliness of the riverbanks and waterbodies and most importantly to love our wetlands which means a passion to take good care of our water system,” Leaño stated.
 
“If our water system is polluted, it will affect marine biology in our rivers,”he added.
 
Meanwhile in Bangued, OIC, CENR Officer Forester Abreolo Joey C. Languisan led his staff in a clean-up drive along Abra River in Barangay Calaba. This was in collaboration with the barangay local government unit and youth headed by Punong Barangay Joselito B. Adame.
 
Most of the collected waste materials were single-use plastics such as pet bottles, cellophanes, plastic cups and plastic wrappers. There were also collected bottles of liquor and beer.

 
The collected waste materials were turned over to the barangay for proper disposal in compliance with Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. (JDP/CAGT–PIA CAR, Abra)