[News] Scenic waterfalls being rehabilitated

 

ANTIPOLO CITY, RIZAL—The provincial government here had just started the rehabilitation of the Hinulugang Taktak Falls, one of Antipolo City’s most popular tourist spots.

The area lacks maintenance and it has become an opposite of what it is referred to back in the 90’s as a “National Park.” The water in the falls has become dark and murky, far from its used-to-be clear water.

Ever since it was mentioned in German San Jose’s song, “Tayo na sa Antipolo,” many tourists have visited the Hinulugang Taktak

(photo from http://myownwordsalad.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-destination-near-manila.html)

(photo from http://myownwordsalad.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-destination-near-manila.html)

Falls.

According to Rey Crisostomo, the chief of Rizal Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), he’s devising a plan to restore the said waterfalls this is with the help of other city and municipal local governments in Rizal.

Crisostomo said informal settlers are already occupying some areas of the waterfalls. He also added that when his office conducted a study, about 70 percent of the water in the falls is actually filled with domestic waste that comes from houses near the area.

A high level of mercury and coliform bacteria was also found in the water, with thoe coming from nearby livestock and poultry factories that throw their waste in the area of the falls.

The flowing water in the falls has been filled with foam coming from the houses of informal settlers that live nearby. The foam is formed by the chemicals and detergents from the people living within the vicinity and it is ruining the falls’ beauty.

It was on June 15, 1952 when Hinulugang Taktak was proclaimed a National Park because of its sublime beauty and uniqueness from other waterfalls in the country. People come by to get an aura of peacefulness and just relax.

The falls is only 12 meters high and has other different small structures such as a bridge and such beautiful greenery.

The restoration has started last September. In this restoration effort, people living in the area will temporarily be relocated. It has been reported that 23 families have been transferred to an area in Baras, Rizal as a temporary resettlement site for these residents.

The provincial government and the Antipolo City government said that along with the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as well as some other concerned agencies are offering help to rehabilitate the water in Hinulugang Taktak Falls. The construction and rehabilitation of sewage and drainage systems is also being planned.

Project administrators are hoping that by early next year, the restoration will be complete and the falls will again be open for public viewing.

 

Ms. Garcia is a sophomore journalism student of the University of Santo Tomas, and submitted this story for her  News Writing 1 class

About Jeremaiah Opiniano