LRMC Clean Up Day | "Live for the Rivers"

09.28.2016 – Everyday 1 Million metric tons of garbage is collected by one pumping station alone nearby river. There about 450 volunteers from various sectors has been preparing for a major clean up portion of the 7 kilometers Estero de Tripa Gallina (ETG), the longest water body in Metro Manila. This was organized by the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LMRC) the operator for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1). Three Barangays from Pasay City with student volunteers where present early in the morning for this clean up day.

“Live for the Rivers Movement Coalition” was formed led by LRMC and various sectors that included the Department of Environment and Natural Resoruces (DENR), the City Government of Pasay, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Pubic Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authorithy (MMDA).

The morning program gave details how they prepared for this day educating three participating Barangays together with the students and faculty of University of Pasay and the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, joined LRMC and the government employees in the activity which engaged stakeholders in addressing river pollution in Metro Manila.





This river is known as Estero de Tripa Gallina (ETG), which is a seven kilometre estero that runs through the cities of Makati, Manila, Pasay, and Paranaque. It is one of the 47 tributaries of Pasig River. According to research and water quality assessments by DENR and LRMC, ETG is no longer able to sustain life, as it has become a catchment for domestic wastes. ETG’s contaminated water then flows out to Pasig River and Manila Bay, two large bodies of water that feed the countr’s farmlands that in part, provide the nation’s food.

It’s because of negligence by residence and nearby population beside the river that led to the pollution and now awareness and education is given to those who need to know why there should be a clean up conducted.





“Rivers sustain our farmlands, which us the source if the food we eat. We cannot risk serving contaminated food to our families. This us why it is the responsibility of each one of us to ensure that waters that feed our rivers are clean and safe,” says LRMC President and CEO Jesus P. Francisco.

“The initiative may just be done in one estero, but it reflects a larger social and environmental issue on how Filipinos care for their surroundings and environment,” Francisco added. “LRMC wants to be able not just to raise awareness, but to engage more Filipino to take actions, and in the process create advocacies for the environment.”





This clean up was underway in the morning last Saturday, where volunteers split up to group of teams assigned to rivers. Besides river clean up most of the media was toured to the pumping station where everyday 1 million metric tons of garbage is collected in just one area.

LRMC took over the operation and maintenance of LRT-1 in September 2015. It will also be responsible for the construction of the 11.7-kilometer extension from the present end point at Baclaran to the Niog area in Bacoor, Cavite. The extended rail line is expected to help increase the capacity of LRT-1 from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers daily and benefit more than four million residents in the southern part of Metro Manila and of Cavite.