The Save Maningning Movement

With a positive vision and a dedicated spirit, Chairperson Calderon decided to jumpstart a coalition of concerned citizens whom the barangay would work hand in hand in working towards the rehabilitation of the creek. Responding to the call are some non-government organizations based in the municipality of Taytay spearheaded by the Center for People’s Empowerment and Community Development (CPECD) and the St. Vincent Foundation. Various people’s organizations also played a big role as Angat Kalikasan, Lingap Buhay, Sta. Ana Youth Club and the Mabuting Taytayeno Movement helped in cleaning the river. Students from the STI Colleges also spent their week-ends doing volunteer works to clean the creek. Surprisingly, residents along the creek voluntarily bring out there brooms and trash bins whenever there are initiatives of cleaning the creek, which is a big sign that they are now more than willing to cooperate in bringing life back to the creek. The overwhelming support of the people paved way to the establishment of the Save Maningning Movement and the birth of a more comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the creek which is now called, the Save Maningning Project.

Regular clean-up drives together with residents and organizations

The Save Maningning Movement has already initiated four major clean up drives for the creek in cooperation and with the help of the Sangguniang Barangay. Through this clean up drives, the creek got rid of solid wastes as volunteers have been able to collect hundreds of kilos of garbage. An Ordinance had also been enacted to prevent people from throwing garbage to the creek. These clean up drives had gathered at least 500 volunteers coming from the movement and some other concerned citizens and barangay employees.

Installation of Bokashi Balls Technology

The Saint Vincent Foundation, an active member of the movement, had introduced a technology which originated from Japan and was proven to help in filtrating dirt from the water and for cleaning the creek in many ways. The Bokashi balls, which are made from clay, EM solutions and other chemicals, are dropped off the waters after days of preservation. This technology helps in filtering dirt in the river and in compacting the loose soil on the river bed, getting rid of the ‘buraks’ underneath. It also serves as food to fishes, inviting them to stay around the area.

To date, the Sanguniang Barangay together with the Movement has been able to install 1,200 Bokashi balls along the creek.

Tree plantings in areas around the creek

With the goal of strengthening the river bed and grounds beside it, the project aims to plant as many bamboo trees possible for the overall development of the creek. To date the Sangguniang Barangay through the donated bamboo tree seedlings of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, has been able to plant at least 30 bamboos on the side of the creek and another 30 in areas near the creek. Various plants and vegetables were also planted in the rip raps, providing food and livelihood to residents in the area.

Finally, to give the project a sustainable solution, Chairperson Calderon, a Civil Engineer by profession, had proposed to implement some engineering solutions for the physical rehabilitation of the creek.

Engineering Solutions

To be able to provide a long term and sustainable solutions to the creek, Chairperson Calderon proposes the engineering solutions that will address pertinent problems of the creek. This includes, dredging of some portions of the creek to prevent flooding in majority of the streets in the barangay, repair and construction of rip raps, additional bridges and waterways connections and a Maningning park that will add attraction to the site.

However, due to limited resources, the Sangguniang Barangay would not be able to shoulder all these expenses towards the realization of a fully recovered Maningning Creek. Despite that, the movement does not lose hope especially now that the actions that has been undertaken, are already reaping what it has sown.

Aside from the physical improvements that can be observed, residents, specifically children, now spends their spare time fishing for martinikos and dalags that are good symbols that the river is still alive and that there’s still hope for Maningning.

The Maningning Creek is a reflection of the people’s way of life and an indicator of how they value nature and the environment. It’s never too late to do our part in protecting, preserving and saving the creek that has once been a source of recreation, livelihood and of life.