BY PILAR MABAQUIAO
SAN JOSE, Antique – The historic Malandog River will soon become a premier ecotourism destination in Western Visayas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
The DENR recently led a convergence program together with various stakeholders aimed to rehabilitate and develop the river.
Malandog River used to be a rich source of fishes, shells, seawater grasses, and animal species that thrive in brackish water.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer Andres Untal said DENR envisions a sustainable ecotourism site in Malandog River where the locals and tourists alike enjoy the scenery of clean and clear water with support facilities for recreation and sustainable livelihood of the people.
Josephine Maguad, senior environmental management specialist of DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, meanwhile said people living along the stretch of the river are encouraged to properly dispose their garbage and sustain the cleanliness of the river.
In 2017, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu made Malandug River as his priority project for Antique and appropriated initial funds for its development.
The projects implemented under the monitoring of the DENR are slope protection, foot trail, comfort rooms, solar lighting, benches and landscaping of areas for esplanade, said Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer CENRO Louie Laud.
Aside from the funding from DENR, the Department of Public Works and Highways also has ongoing construction/upgrading of a four-lane bridge which will give easy access to commuters and motorist plying the route Antique Iloilo or Iloilo to Caticlan, Aklan.
DENR is optimistic that with the convergence of services and programs of government in partnership with the local communities, the sustainable eco-tourism program in Malandog River will be achieved in the near future./PN
