Student and community organizations gathered for the launch of Juan Water, Juan Life: Help Save Banica River project and clean-up on Jan. 7 in barangay Taclobo by the Peer Facilitators’ Circle of Foundation University.
The project aims to promote water conservation and preserve our main water resources and watersheds.
The Banica River is a tributary of the Okoy River, which originates from Lake Balinsasayao in the town of Sibulan, traversing the municipality of Valencia, and empties into the Bohol sea.
The different organizations that joined the FU event were Silliman University, Negros Oriental State University, Foundation Preparatory Academy, Four-C Fitness Group, Alano & Sons, and councilors from barangays Batinguel and Taclobo.
They segregated their wastes into four groups for auditing: biodegradable, non-biodegradable, plastics, and toxic/hazardous wastes.
Jim Inid, representing barangay Taclobo, said they are grateful for the volunteers as they had been trying to initiate clean-ups in the Banica. He noted that people do their laundry at the Banica, not realizing that the river flows beside the dumpsite in barangay Candao-ay. He said they also focus on educating the Banica settlers about health and proper hygiene. (Esther Micah Gillesania and Kyra Jamito/SU Masscom interns)