By Rachelle M. Nessia

Dumaguete City (18 July) -- The local government of Valencia has joined forces with Foundation University (FU) in initiating efforts to rehabilitate Banica River.

In a statement, Valencia Information Officer Des Tilos said FU officials led by Dean Sinco and his brother Tata along with Dennis Welter, an American expert in river rehabilitation, recently met with Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez and Valencia town administrator Ear Tale to discuss how both institutions can effectively maximize its resources for Banica River.

FU is actively involved in a three-year project to rehabilitate part of the river, specifically along the portion bounded by lower and upper Bagacay spillways.

Tilos said the school has already taken the initiative in painting several murals along the river dikes, which is hoped to encourage other sectors to get involved in saving the river.

On the other hand, Valencia is planning to construct a river park and eco-trail along the Banica River.

Tilos said the municipality already has the initial design inputs and is now eyeing FU to help develop the plan preparations together with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).

Meanwhile, Cabinet members have reported that the fish caught in waters off Masbate are safe to eat.

To show that the fish scare that had swept Masbate and nearby provinces following the MV Princess of the Stars sinking is overblown, the President's men had sumptuous buffet of sea foods the other day (Tuesday).

The menu included crabs, shrimps and fish caught in the waters around this island province.

One of the President's accomplishments under her SONA targets this year has been the mariculture project launched in Tawi-Tawi on May 29, 2008 that covered 1,000 hectares in Sibutu East and 25,000 hectares in North Lagoon, Sitangkai.