Zapote River gets nominated as DENR Most Improved Estero

Did you know that Metro Manila's esteros (waterways) play an essential role in society and the environment? It filters pollutants, recycles potentially dangerous chemicals, absorbs excess water during heavy rains, and helps recharge subsurface aquifers as a mini-ecosystem and contributing stream to bigger water bodies. And, with a glimpse of history, Esteros was used as a trading and transportation route during the Spanish era.

Hearing the word Estero in Metro Manila usually makes us categorize it as: extremely polluted, causes frequent flooding due to waste, holds a large number of informal settlers, is surrounded by huge establishments encroaching its perimeters, and lack proper management.

However, DENR in the National Capital Region recognizes local governments' efforts to preserve their waterways litter-free by awarding them with the Gawad Taga-Ilog Award.

Gawad Taga-Ilog Award is a program that aims to coincide with the ongoing restoration program of Manila Bay.

Zapote River was selected as one of the thirteen finalists for this year's "Gawad Taga-Ilog: Search for Most Improved Estero in Metro Manila."

With the Gawad Taga-Ilog program, DENR in the National Capital Region recognizes local governments' efforts to preserve their waterways litter-free by awarding them with the Gawad Taga-Ilog award. The search is timed to coincide with the ongoing restoration program of Manila Bay.

The Gawad Taga-Ilog Program chooses the most improved Estero by judging the waterways based on the following factors:

• Physical development
• Social mobilization and transformation
• Sustainability and replicability
• Collaborations or partnerships

Vote for Las Piñas City- Zapote River

But aside from these three criteria, you as a netizen can also have a say and support the Zapote River in becoming the Gawad Taga-Ilog Peoples' Choice Awardee. You can do this by simply visiting the DENR Facebook Page and hitting the Heart react button on the Las Pinas City-Zapote River photo.

Voting is now open until March 18, 2022, with the People's Choice Award going to the photo with the most likes/heart responses at the end of the voting period. On March 22, 2022, the winners' names will be revealed, so make sure to have your votes count for the Zapote River by Liking or hitting the Heart react button on its picture.

Zapote River is one of the two major river systems in Las Piñas City. It flows through the heart of Manila for the majority of its 18.3 kilometers before emptying into Manila Bay. Picnics were a favorite pastime at this location. If the water at Las Pinas had not been polluted, the city's salt production would have been noted for its bright white color.

As a result of Senator Cynthia Villar's Sagip Ilog initiative, the rivers of Las Piñas are once again alive. On December 13, 2002, Senator Manny Villar donated a backhoe on a barge, a speedboat, and a dump truck in honor of his birthday to commence the initiative. Up to these days, Congresswoman Camille Villar continues that initiative and helps maintain the Zapote River's cleanliness and rehabilitation.