Amid rapid urban development in Quezon City, the San Francisco River has stood as silent witness to the changes that people had wrought in the area. Decades ago, Franciscan priests followed its banks as they trekked from Laguna and Quezon provinces to their retreat seminary in what is now known as the San Francisco del Monte enclave, named after St. Francis. Before the river became a dumping area for trash, its waters offered hours of frolic and fun for children in the community. Today, the silted river is choking under tons of garbage and presents a considerable threat to families living nearby when heavy rainfall swells its banks.

Enano, J. O. & Perez, C. (2018, October 7). Priests, nuns get hands dirty for PH rivers. Manila Bulletin, p. A8.