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NI ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
SA hangaring protektahan, pangalagaan at panatilihing buhay ang Abra river, iminungkahi ni Abra Lone District Rep. JB Bernos ang paglikha ng Abra River Basin Development Authority (ARBDA).
Sa ilalim ngHouse Bill No. 3119, binigyan-diin ni Bernos na sa kasalukuyan ay kapansin-pansin ang matinding polusyon ang naturang ilog, dala na rin hindi maingat na pagpapatupad ng industriyalisasyon, pagmimina, pagkasira ng kabundukan at mabilis na pagdami ng populasyon.
Ayon kay Bernos, higit na angkop tutukan ng isang ahensya ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng “environment protection policy” at regulasyon sa development at commercial projects sa mga lugar na binabagtas ng ilog — bagay na posible lamang kung pagtitibayin ng Kongreso ang paglikha ng ARBDA .
“Through this bill, we will save the Northern Philippines’ most important water network by regulating commercial and residential activities affecting the Abra River,” pahayag ng Abra lawmaker.
“The ARBDA will help ensure that the discharges do not exceed the allowable established limits for the river’s natural waste assimilation capacity,” dagdag niya.
“Ditoy Amianan ti balaytayo. (The North is our home.) If we cannot protect the Abra River, we fail not only our environment but also the families in the North whose lives and livelihoods are tied to its waters. We have to protect the Abra River for the present and for future generations,” dugtong ni Bernos.
Nakasaad sa HB 3119 na ang ARBDA ay siyang babalangkas ng 25-year Abra River Rehabilitation Roadmap and Master Plan na siyang magiging gabay ng lahat ng stakeholders sa pangangalaga sa ilog.
“The ARBDA will also work closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, and the Abra provincial government in providing adequate, dependable, and reliable wastewater treatment facilities and sewerage systems in all their authorized service areas,” ang nilalaman pa ng nasabing panukalang batas.
