FIRST PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL RIVER SUMMIT

River has been a very big part of the Philippines history, from the time of
the native Filipinos, to the Spaniards colonization and up to now. From the
sources of water up to the sources of electricity; therefore, theres no doubt
that when it comes to natural resource, rivers is one of the top of the list.
Due to fast changes it the environment, rivers has been in danger. The
wide human activities that produce by products that threaten the water
resources of the country tend to alarms the whole nation. Most rivers are
now in dire state, some are dead, but some have been given a new lease
of life.
The degradation of our natural resources lead the Philippines to held the
first Philippine International River summit that was held and hosted by Iloilo
city particularly at the Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center in
Alta Terra Village, Jaro, Iloilo City last May 30 to June 1. It was attended by
different national officials, experts, LGUs and NGOs representatives,
solons and different sector of the environment representatives. According
to Felix Tiu, chairman of the summits finance committee and also of the
city governments Trade and Investments Board, the estimated number of
delegates during the first day at almost 1,000 to include foreign, national
and local participants.
With its theme, My River, My Life, the summit dwell on four (4) important
issues: Governance, Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Climate
Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Water Quality
Management. Leading experts in the field of river management, aquatic
biodiversity, and global climate change from U.S.A., Canada, Korea,

Japan, Vietnam, Philippines and other Asian countries will converge in Iloilo
City to share sustainable river basin management practices that can be
replicated to other cities.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), the 1st Philippine International River Summit is the first ever
Philippine initiative that seeks to provide a global platform for action on the
various environmental, economic and social issues confronting rivers and
river basins. It will be a global venue in discussing effective methodologies
and strategies that will greatly help everyone in handling challenges,
opportunities, issues, and concerns in managing rivers and it relative
environment.
The summit has aims to aims to stimulate discussion, learning and action
among experts, local governments, non government organizations, private
sector and the academe, specifically on river basin governance, climate
change and disaster risk reduction, water quality and water resources
management, biodiversity management and eco-tourism.
Water Management has been the primary concern of the summit. Basic
Needs Services Philippines Incorporated ( BNS-Phils) has been invited to
attend the said event with Engr. Jonas Maronilla as the representative.
Concerns regarding the methodologies and strategies for effective water
management were then discussed.
The participants have signed a
manifesto to protect the worlds
rivers and called for greater
investment to address environmental
challenges. The manifesto was
presented by Iloilo City Mayor Jed
Patrick Mabilog. He said that summit
would establish a cooperative
approach in confronting challenges
that
threaten
environment.
Mayor
Jed Patrickthe
Mabilog,
City Mayor of Iloilo

Dr. Vicente Tuddao Jr, executive director of DENR, has his opening
message that emphasizing the need for sustained effort and heightened
public awareness on various river concerns, updated science-based
solution and corresponding action to keep the country a breast on current
approaches and initiatives.
The summit is a joint project of the national government through the
Environment Department, with the PLDT group and the city of Iloilo as copresentors. It was able to generate the support of the International Council
for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Local Government for
Sustainability, Rivers of the World Foundation (ROW, USA) and the
CITYNET. It was possible through the major sponsor- National Geographic
Channel, sponsors San Miguel Corporation, Petron, and Canadian Urban
Institute; and media partners TV5, Philippine News Agency, and the
Philippine Information Agency.
The three-day summit was a successful event then. Opinions and reactions
regarding the concerned topic were heard and joint forces from the
delegates were expected to attain the millennium goal.

By: Eden Limbog (BNS-Phils)