1. PROTECT THE WATERSHED

Maintain the area of the water reservoir forested and free from garbage and other harmful substance (e.g. pesticides, chemical fertilizer) which can cause negative impact to the ecosystem. Be vigilant and cautious for possible source of forest fire. If there are settlers in the area, encourage them to practice environmental friendly farming techniques like Sloping Agricultural Land Technology  and terraced cropping to prevent soil erosion.

2. PREVENT SOIL EROSION

Eroded soil is one of the main reasons why rivers and lakes become filthy. There will be siltation in the river bed that can eventually affect its depth. To prevent soil erosion, plant veitver grass, tress seedlings, bamboo and ferns which can hold the soil. These are also plants which can thrive along the body of water. In areas where soil erosion is frequent, best to implement engineering practice by use of coco-coir or mixed concrete blocks with plants. 

3. MAINTAIN CLEAN WATER

Do not dispose trash, debris, or any junk material into the rivers and lakes. These materials will cause pollution to the bodies of water. A clean water should be cleared and can be drunk, free from litters, no stinking and foul smell, fish and other aquatic life can survive, and suitable for swimming and other recreation activities.

4. MONITOR THE FLOW OF WATER

Conduct regular monitoring and clean up of your rivers especially when there are residential areas nearby. Pull out debris and other trash which lie in the riverbed. If there are illegal dikes or any obstruction that can cause abnormal flow of water, inform the authorities immediately. 

5. REGULAR RIVER CLEAN UP

If the river is too long and there is no control over other communites which are encompassed by the river, coordinate with the local units in those areas. Conduct multi-sectoral clean up so that everyone has appreciation of proper caring of the river. 

6. JOIN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY PROJECTS

Everyone can create big impact if they will act together as one. Join and cooperate in different environmental protection projects in the communities such as tree planting, forest guarding, solid waste management, etc. If there are no such activities, initiate one so that others can join and cooperate with the project that would benefit the environment.

7. BE INFORMED OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

There are existing environmental laws that are not trickled down in the grassroots level of the community. These laws should be properly disseminated among community residents. Examples of thse laws are Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. These feature provisions that will serve as guidelines for proper utilization of the natural resources. The Environment and Natural Resources Office in your community has copies of these laws.

8. JOIN RIVER PROTECTION CAMPAIGNS

Putting signages and other campaign materials would help to create and increase awareness of toher community members in portection and conservation of the river and other bodies of water. Residents living near the river should set a good example of actions in protecting the river. The advocacy can be extended to school curriculum by incorporating environemntal proection and river protection topics in one subject like Good Manners and Right Conduct.

9. INITIATE RIVER PROTECTION PROJECTS AND ADVOCACIES

Moblize the community members, both residents and commercial establishments owner to join and participate in river protection projects. Encourage business establishments to perform their corporate social responsibility by way of joining thses advocacies. Link with the local government units, non-government organizations, cooperatives, people's organizations and other conerned groups and individuals to increase  the network of the project.

10. REHABILITATE THE LOST AND POLLUTED RIVERS AND LAKES

Bring back its glory as well as fish and other aquatic life that used to thrive in the river. There are many teerstrial and aquatic life forms that are dependent with each other. The lost of one is lost of the otehr, and eventually, lost of our biodiversity. Promote eco-tourism in the area so that while people can enkoy the beauty of nature, it is also protected and well-utilized. Coodrinate with Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources for river fish re-stocking program instead of just putting fish pond int he river without floowing proper measures.

Note: This article was translated by the author from the article of Mr. Charlz Castro, 10 Paraan ng Pagkilos Para sa mga Ilog, Sapa at Lawa published in Kapaligiran, official magazine of Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern. Issue dated on July-December 2010, Volume 2.

The Philippines is known all over the world for its hardwoods. From 1972 to 1988, the logging industry leveled 8.57 million hectares of forest. During the same period, the industry devastated 3.88 million hectares of forest. Due to the unabated destruction of our forest, only 6-8% of natural vegetation remains.

Considered to be one of the world's richest repositories of biological diversity, we have about 3,879, identified tree species of which 3,574 are indigenous and 305 are introduced species. Unfortunately, nationwide reforestation efforts have limited itself to planting a number of species-gmelina, mahogany and narra.