By Gabriel Louis B. Arancillo
Batiano River Clean-Up unites CPUR, MENRO Oton, and LGU for Earth Day 2025.
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2025, the Central Philippine University Republic (CPUR) joined forces with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Oton in a collaborative cleanup of the Batiano River, one of Iloilo’s vital but long-encroached waterways.
The initiative aimed to address the increasing environmental stress and pollution affecting the Batiano River, which flows through several urban and semi-urban communities in the province. Volunteers gathered along the river’s banks to remove plastic waste, debris, and other pollutants that have been harming both the aquatic ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Representatives from MENRO Oton and the LGU of Oton welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of collective action in preserving natural resources. They noted the historical significance of the Batiano River and the urgency of restoring its health to benefit both the environment and local livelihoods.
CPUR’s involvement marked a continuation of its strong commitment to environmental advocacy and student-led sustainability efforts. Delegates from the CPUR Committee on Social, Environment, Health, and Safety expressed solidarity with the cause, highlighting the role of youth in environmental stewardship and climate action.
Volunteers collected sacks of trash along the riverbanks and in surrounding areas, including residential zones where encroachment and improper waste disposal have severely impacted the river’s health. The cleanup not only removed visible pollutants but also brought attention to long-term solutions, such as stricter enforcement of anti-dumping regulations, community education, and green infrastructure planning.
The Batiano River clean-up is part of an ongoing series of collaborative environmental efforts across Iloilo, highlighting the increasing importance of inter-agency cooperation and youth participation. Organizers hope the activity will inspire other communities to take similar action in rehabilitating their own natural resources.
As Earth Day 2025 draws attention to the global climate crisis, this local effort stands as a testament to how communities, when united, can make meaningful progress in protecting the environment—one river at a time.