Philippines: Protecting Livelihoods, Human and Ecosystem Health in the Philippines
The Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System (MMORS) is home to an extensive
aquaculture industry – supporting businesses, generating employment and supplying
fish and other produce to Luzon including Metro Manila. However, this same industry is
in peril due to deteriorating water quality and is serving as a pathway of contamination,
exposing populations to serious health risks.
The Protecting Livelihoods, Human and Ecosystem Health Project is aimed at reducing the
human health risks posed by toxic pollution in the MMORS. The project built on
previous efforts to rehabilitate the river system through its four major project
components namely:
- Pilot Remediation
- River Quality Monitoring
- Capacity Building, Policy and Organizational Development; and
- Information, Education, and Communication.
The project gathered significant empirical data that can be used in strengthening
existing policies and programs and formulating new ones in the fields of water quality
evaluation and fisheries management in order to reduce human health risks posed by
river pollution.
It demonstrated how multi-stakeholder platforms should and could be tapped to further pilot remediation, river quality monitoring, capacity building and community education efforts. It invested in a database structure and set of monitoring equipment together with training and information, education and communication materials that the MMORS water quality management area could utilize as it continues to pursue not just activities but desired outcomes toward river rehabilitation.
HSBC Volunteers Take Action Against River Pollution in the Philippines