Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu was the latest national government official who was amazed with the cleanliness of the Iloilo River.
In his visit to Iloilo together with officials of the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) last August 26, Cimatu was all praises for the multi-awarded Iloilo River.
He said that it is remarkable that the river is taken care of by the city while under the crisis brought about by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Nakita ko ang Iloilo River, ang linis parang walang pandemic. Very clean. I would like to commend Sen. Drilon and Mayor Treñas,” said Cimatu, who is also the chief implementer for COVID response in Visayas.
According to Cimatu, the Iloilo River is a model to be emulated when it comes to taking care of our natural resources. He added that he will use the river as an inspiration in challenging Cebuanos to also clean and protect their rivers, just like what Ilonggos are doing.
The retired Philippine Army general was first sent to Cebu last June to oversee the COVID-19 response in the Region 7.
Now that the cases in Iloilo increasing, Cimatu, together with Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, met with Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas to discuss the situation and will look for local and inter-agency cooperation to resolve rising cases and help the city and Western Visayas region. (With reports from Bombo Radyo, Iloilo City PIO)
