A team of river rangers in Cavite conducted a weeklong cleanup operation in Barangay Anabu 2-E from July 27 to August 1, 2026, removing waste and debris from local rivers and waterways to prevent trash-induced flooding in the area. The initiative was a collaborative effort between the City Government of Imus and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, aimed at ensuring the proper flow of water channels as the rainy season continues.
The Cleanup Initiative and Its Impact
The cleanup is part of a broader effort to address persistent solid waste problems in Cavite's river systems, including the Imus-Ylang Ylang-Rio Grande Rivers network, which sustains ten cities and municipalities in the province. Plastic packaging and Styrofoam are among the most common waste recovered from the rivers, which originate from upstream communities and businesses.
The local government has reminded residents not to dump garbage on streets and waterways and to prevent blockages in water channels to avoid flash floods. The City Government of Imus has previously partnered with Maynilad and the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau to protect the Julian and Imus rivers through the "Bigkis-Tubig Program," which includes periodic community cleanups and the provision of cleaning materials for river rangers. In 2024, Maynilad donated two trash boats, life buoys, life vests, and emergency kits to support the Imus LGU's river rangers in their cleanup efforts.
The Role of River Rangers in Environmental Protection
The river rangers, who are employed by local governments and trained by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, regularly wade through floating debris and vegetation along Cavite's waterways as part of their daily duties. The DENR has also mobilized river rangers across Cavite's coastal areas for simultaneous cleanup drives, including a May 2026 operation that collected over 7,500 kilograms of waste. According to DENR data, since 2020, about 3,618 river rangers have been hired in Calabarzon, removing a total of 32.67 million kilos of solid waste from rivers and waterways covering 383,951 hectares.
