Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s recent directive for a national river cleanup hardly merited mention in the roiling national conversation, but, done properly, the program could have far-reaching impact across generations in innumerable communities all over the country. Cimatu told regional directors and personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Nov. 22 that they could lose their jobs should they fail to clean up polluted river systems under their jurisdiction. At the 4th International River Summit in Cebu City, he said: “Iyong mga personnel na napabayaan ang river, maghahanap ako ng mas magaling sa kanila na ipapalit (Those personnel who neglected the river, I will find better replacement for them). Take note, this is really my commitment.”

Reviving our rivers. (2018, December 2). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. 11.