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BCDA steps up watershed protection, joins Abacan River cleanup

BCDA steps up watershed protection in Central Luzon, joins Abacan River clean-up

BCDA volunteers line up at dawn to fill straw bags with waste collected from the Abacan, River, in Angeles, Pampanga. (BCDA Photo)

Amid growing concerns over watershed protection and water supply in Central Luzon, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) joined over 140 volunteers  in implementing the Abacan River Sustainable Clean-Up Program on March 21, as part of activities leading up to World Water Day and in observance of National Water Month.

The program, led by Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. and the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MACCII), is conducted every third Saturday of the month. 

BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang underscored the agency’s approach of aligning infrastructure development with environmental stewardship.

“At BCDA, we see sustainability as a core responsibility. As we build infrastructure that drives economic growth, we are equally focused on protecting natural systems that sustain our communities. Development must not come at the expense of our water sources,” Engr. Bingcang said.

A BCDA volunteer removes plastic waste in an effort to help revive the river system. (BCDA Photo)

Volunteers waded into the Abacan River in Brgy. Pampang, Angeles City and cleared 158 sacks of waste from a waterway that supports nearby communities and wildlife.

According to Mini Arceo, CSR Manager of Balibago Waterworks System, Inc, water supply has been a challenge in areas of Metro Manila and Central Luzon. She explained:

“Ang Abacan River Sustainable Clean-up ay inilunsad natin upang protektahan ang sources ng tubig natin. Dito sa Angeles City, Mabalacat, and City of San Fernando, kasama ito sa mga high risk of losing water…  Kailangan po talaga palaguin, pagandahin, paunlarin, ingatan ang ating mga water sources kagaya po ng Abacan River.”

(“We launched the Abacan River Sustainable Clean-up to protect our water sources.  Angeles City, Mabalacat City and the City of San Fernando are among areas with high risk of losing water.  There is a need to grow, improve, develop and preserve our water sources such as the Abacan River.”) 

The recent return of migratory birds in some parts of the river shows how the continuous clean-up and rehabilitation are helping the ecosystem recover.

This activity marks a step forward in how BCDA is advancing sustainability in Central Luzon and working with communities and partners to tackle environmental issues where it operates.

In celebration of National Water Month and World Water Day, BCDA volunteers gathered sacks of waste from the precious waterway, the Abacan River. This initiative is led by the Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. (BCDA Photo)

Beyond clean-up drives, BCDA is also advancing a broader watershed restoration strategy in Central Luzon in support of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In connection with the implementation of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Calamba Extension Project, the agencies are supporting the planting of approximately 700,000 indigenous tree seedlings across the Sapangbato Watershed in Angeles City and the Sacobia Watershed in Mabalacat City.

The initiative is being implemented by the DOTr, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) and BCDA.

DOTR Assistant Secretary Irish Calaguas conducts an ocular visit of proposed greening sites in Sapangbato, Angeles City and Sacobia Watershed, Mabalacat City, in Pampanga, in line with environmental commitments in building the South Commuter Railway. With her are BCDA VP Richard Cepe, ARAW-ACI Executive Director Minerva Arceo and Sapangbato Ayta leader Henry Pan. (BCDA Photo)

The large-scale reforestation effort aims to restore forest cover, protect water sources, and mitigate the environmental impact of major infrastructure developments.

Both projects show how BCDA is carrying out its sustainability work through partnerships with local groups, government agencies, and communities, in line with SDG 17. 

For BCDA, protecting rivers and greening projects in partnership with communities are critical initiatives on the ground. 

These efforts support the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to pursue development that is climate-resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible.

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