Biyahe Tayo!!

The Calawagan

Paluan, Occ. Mindoro, Jan. 15 (PNA) ---The Calawagan River in Paluan municipality, Occidental Mindoro, was adjudged recently the cleanest river in the country for the second straight year, Paluan Mayor Abelardo Pangilinan said.

The award was Occidental Mindoro's major recognition for environmental concerns. A trophy and cash of P250,000 was presented to Pangilinan by President Fidel V. Ramos at ceremonies held last December at the Quirino grandstand in Luneta Park.

Paluan was also named "Most Outstanding Municipality" in Region 1V by the Progressive Alliance of Citizens for Democracy (PACD), in ceremonies held last week in Ilocos Norte. PACD is a citizens group organized by Senate President Ernesto Maceda.

The river's salinity level and cleanness make it good for direct drinking, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which spearheads the annual "Clean and Green Project," said.

Calawagan River met the two major criteria for the award: physical condition and community support system. First Lady Ming Ramos is the project's honorary chairman,

The foot of the river is a 20-minute overland ride from the Paluan town hall to Sitio Calawagan in Barangay Alipauy. At the entrance of Alipauy is a 50-family Mangyan community, which previously lived upstream but was resettled below to deter pollution and destruction of the river source.

A one-hectare lot was appropriated by the town to resettle the families, complete with potable water sourced from the river. A one-room school building stands at the gate of this resettlement, situated on the wy to the Calawagan Resort.

To use the resort facilities, a P15 entrance fee is charged to help efray expenses for caretakers, including the salary of Mangyan forest anger, Felino Tobias. (PNA) JV/gjb

Ano nga ba ang Batinglay Falls?? Sa Paluan din ba ito??? Abangan....