The portion of Panigan River that traverses Barangay Carmen in Davao City remains closed temporarily to the public.

This after barangay officials collected sacks of garbage, including bottles concealed in rocks, that were left by visitors.

The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) has sent a letter to the barangay council for the temporary closure following several reminders.

“Sa amoa sa Barangay Carmen council, nagsige nalang gyud mi og panghipos sa ilang mga hugaw unya walay undang among panghipos, wala puy undang og padala og letter ang taga CENRO sa amoa. So, mao na ang CENRO kadugayan og letter, nagpadala na gyud sila og temporary close,” Barangay Chairman, Socrates Estomata, said.

The temporary closure will provide time to clear the river of trash.

Barangay officials clarified that they are not depriving the public from going to the river, but regulations must be put in place to maintain its cleanliness and protect it from destruction.

“Sa plano nga temporary close, nag ingon gyud si Mayor Baste nga ipadayon lang sa kay ngano man, lisod gyud kaayo ang atong area abusaran og dili pajud taga atoa, taga syudad. Iya sa daw ipatan aw sa city tourism kauban ang city planning ug city engineer’s kung unsa mahimo diha kung mabuhatan nato og balaod na ug naa napud tay ordinansa,” Estomata added.