The Pangasinan provincial government has turned over formally the rehabilitated Parongking River to the local government of Calasiao after more than two months of cleanup and restoration efforts.

The project aims to ensure the continued protection and maintenance of the river, with local authorities and communities expected to sustain the improvements.

Kristine Joy Soriano, spokesperson of the Calasiao DRRM Office, urged residents — especially those living near the river — to help preserve the gains of the project.

“Itong joint project na ito ay siyang i-maintain ng ating bayan. At ganoon din, inaanyayahan din po natin ang mga kababayan, especially doon sa mga nakatira malapit sa ating kailugan, na panatilihin natin ang sinimulang proyekto ng ating gobyerno at huwag na nating hayaan magbalik ito sa kanyang dating anyo kung saan hindi natin makikita ang ilog,” Soriano said.

The Calasiao local government said it will continue maintenance work through its disaster risk reduction office, environment office, and barangays concerned.

Barangay Quesban, one of the villages along the river, has already designated personnel to clean its banks regularly.

“Ang river na iyon is boundary ng Barangay Quesban at Bued, tapos sa kabila naman, San Miguel at Ambonao. Iyon iyong mga barangay na maglilinis diyan. Mag-uusap iyong magkabilang kapitan kung paano pag-uusap sa paglilinis diyan. Ang alam ko mayroong ibibigay din na bangka para sa pag-maintain ng kalinisan,” Barangay Chairman Raymond Aguilar said.

Authorities also reminded residents of an existing municipal ordinance penalizing those who dump waste into the river.

“Ang ating gagawin diyan, ang mga barangay talaga is maintain iyong kalinisan, pagsabihan ang mga kababayan na huwag magtapon at gawin nila ang kanilang parte para hindi mahirapan, patuloy na malinis itong Parongking River,” Aguilar added.

Officials said sustained community participation will be key to keeping the river clean and preventing it from returning to its previous polluted state.