[ journal.com.ph ] August 21, 2008
By: Emil G. Gamos Manny Balbin
MEYCAUAYAN City -- Hopes are high that marine life may again thrive in the biologically dead Meycauayan River, which, together with Marilao River, has been named one of the most heavily-polluted and dirtiest rivers in the world by the New York-based Blacksmith Institute.
Former city mayor and now city general consultant Eddie Alarilla yesterday said pollution problem in the city of Meycauayan will soon be over with the planned construction of solid waste disposal and waste water facilities using the Japanese technology.
A 10-man delegation of anti-pollution experts from Fukouka, Japan, visited the Meycauayan City Hall yesterday afternoon and met with city officials, headed by Mayor Joan V. Alarilla to formalize plans to help address the city’s problem on garbage and pollution.
Part of the Japanese delegation includes Ayumu Masuda, Kasumasa Takeuchi and Yoshikazu Masuda of the Masuda Group of Companies; Masahipo Doi, Nabayoshi Furukori and Miyuki Suzuki of the Alidac group; and Masatoshi Shibata, president of Saiplus Co. Ltd.
Alarilla said based on the observation last month on the Japanese anti-pollution facilities, the former mayor expressed optimistism that residents would soon see abundance of fish and marine life in the dead river.
“May pag-asa pa na muling mabuhay ang ilog ng Meycauayan sa tulong ng Japanese technology,” Alarilla said.
The river, which connects the Valenzuela and Marilao rivers, has been tagged as one of the “Dirty 30” rivers in the world by the New York-based environment body Blacksmith Institute due to extreme pollution from tanneries and household garbage.
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