CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Fourth district board member Ricardo Yabut yesterday bared that he is set to propose a resolution urging  barangay officials to enforce laws advocating protection to major waterways in the province particularly Pampanga River.

Yabut said that this is in response to the request of made by some concerned citizens here asking him to initiate the campaign in order to bring back the old glory of  Pampanga River.

"Marami ang tumatawag sa atin at nage-email yung mga iba nakatira na sa abroad, hinihiling nila na pangunahan natin ang pagsasalba sa ating kailugan sa pamamagitan ng resolusyon na magbibigay proteksiyon," he added.

The board member recalled that during his younger days, most of the people living in the neighboring communities are relying and getting their livelihood in the river because the same is still free from pollution.

"Dyan tayo lumaki sa ilog. Noong bata pa tayo naghuhuli tayo ng isda sa Pampanga River dyan narin tayo naliligo at pagkakataon pa nga na nakakainom tayo ng tubig ilog dahil malinis noon," Yabaut stated.

However, he noted that  Pampanga River is now in its 'sorry state' due to inrresponsible dumping of waste by the communities and concerned stakeholders.

"Ibang ibang klase ng basura ang itinatapon na nila sa ilog, mayroon ng domestic waste, waste material ng ilang kumpanya, dumi ng hayup at marami pa," Yabut stressed.

Under his proposal, the communities adjacent to Pampanga River will be required to pass and approve a setting the guidelines on the initiative and the imposition of the specific penalty for those who would continue to violate the law on dumping of garbage on the river.

"Hindi lang sa Pampanga River applicable ito, pati sa iba pang nating waterways, water channels at tributaries sa buong lalawigan," the board clarified.

It was learned that the nearby communities are continuously dumping domestic garbage near the embankment of Pampanga River.