Dr. Teodoro Lloydon Bautista (5th from right), Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office deputy director, leads the cleanup activity together with several Manila Electric Co. employee volunteers from various offices such as its Central Distribution Services, Sub transmission Services, Malate Business Center and Organizational Safety and Business Continuity. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TO commemorate the International Day of Biological Diversity, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) recently participated in a special inter-agency cleanup activity in Estero de Provisor, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (PRCMO).

The cleanup activity cleared the inlet surrounding Isla de Provisor in the City of Manila from overgrown water hyacinths that, when left proliferating, could cause flooding during the typhoon season as these could restrict the natural flow of water through vital waterways.

Meralco provided a staging area at its Tegen Substation to temporarily store the water hyacinths removed from the waterways before they were hauled to Vitas Street, Tondo, Manila for proper disposal. Meanwhile, Meralco's social development arm, One Meralco Foundation, provided tools such as rakes, rain boots, raincoats, gloves, masks and a heavy-duty truck that were used during the cleanup operation.

The local government of Manila, the National Capital Region - Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the K Line Maritime Academy–Philippines also participated in the cleanup activity.

Dr. Teodoro Lloydon Bautista, PRCMO deputy director, expressed gratitude to the agencies and companies that participated in the activity, adding: "At the end of the day, it is not us who is going to benefit from this. It is your children and your children's children."

For her part, Meralco Central Business Area Head Margarita David, said: "This is all in the spirit of bayanihan (community cooperation) and, of course, malasakit (compassion)."