The ongoing clean-up of the Abacan River is a private sector-led environmental initiative held regularly on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of each month. It was launched to remove solid waste and protect local waterways.
A Regular Commitment to Cleaner Waterways
The Abacan River clean-up was launched on April 22, 2025, by the Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACCII), the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI), and the Angeles City CENRO . The latest activity, held on July 25, 2026, in Barangay Anunas, mobilized 120 volunteers who worked together to remove solid waste from the river .
The Abacan River has long been identified as one of the most contaminated rivers in Pampanga, and private sector groups have been working to address this environmental challenge . The clean-up initiative is part of a broader effort to protect local waterways and raise awareness about the importance of proper waste management.
Protecting a Vital Water Resource
ARAW-ACI President Renato Tayag has been a staunch advocate for watershed protection and river rehabilitation, encouraging big companies to help reforest the Angeles Watershed . His Adopt-a-Watershed Program has mobilized 22 private-sector groups and two government-owned corporations to participate in periodic tree-planting events and clean-ups since 2021.
The regular clean-ups, scheduled on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of each month, demonstrate the private sector's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. By removing solid waste from the river, volunteers help prevent flooding, protect aquatic life, and safeguard the health of downstream communities.
