Rewards offered to nab river litterbugs

By Mar T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -A reward is up to any concerned residents who can arrest persons polluting rivers in this province.

In his bid to protect the rivers, Gov. Amado T. Gov. Espino,Jr. is offering P10,000 for every Pangasinense who will arrest or seize persons throwing garbage on the rivers.

Espino launched a campaign urging Pangasinenses to involve themselves in his advocacy to protect the environment last June 6 during the kick-off ceremony of the environment month at the Capitol Plaza here.

Espino will also give P2,000 to those who can identify a violator and P5,000 if they present a photo where the violator is caught in the act.

"Naisip natin ang reward system para malaman ko kung sino ang gumagawa niyan. Parang namiminsala na sila, talagang nag-iisip na lang para sirain ang programa natin," Espino said.

Espino said the reward money will come from his own pocket.

"I am taking this personally since nobody is attending to it. Pinababayaan lang ng iba,"Espino added.

Espino expressed displeasure at people responsible for making rivers look unpleasant especially those who are throwing garbage into these.

"This is to emphasize my concern about this unconcerned people. Ang ganda-ganda na ng mga ilog dahil nilinis natin. Napakahirap ng ginawa natin pero may mga nagtatapon ng basura sa ilog."

Espino earlier created Task Force Kalikasan that conducted a massive river-clean up.

The province is now regaining the lost bounty and beauty of Pangasinan rivers which have been ravaged by what he called “vultures of nature.”

"Dapat trabaho ito ng PENRO, CENRO at PNP ang panghuhuli ng mga nagpo-pollute sa mga ilog. Pero kahit sila puwedeng tumanggap ng reward," Espino added.

Espino said violators can be reported to any local police stations, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office and barangay officials.