City Environment and Waste Management Office – Engr. Violeta S.

Faiyaz

The researches formulated different questions regarding natural resources management:

biodiversity conservation. Afterwards, one of our researchers Joie Guadalupe interviewed Engr.
Violeta S. Faiyaz about Hinulugang Taktak. Based on the interview, Engr. Faiyaz compared the
current state of Hinulugang Taktak to how it was before. He mentioned that during the 1960’s,
the waters of Hinulugang Taktak Protected Landscape started to have problems due to human
encroachment. However, on January 8, 2014, the city government and Department of
Environment and Natural Resources started to take an action with regards to rehabilitating the
whole community. With that, the Hinulugang Taktak was rehabilitated in different ways such as
the Toka-toka program, clean-up drive operations, construction of trash traps, relocation of
Informal Settlers along the river banks, construction of Sewerage Treatment Plant, Information
Education Communication (IEC) Campaign (house to house within nearby areas tributaries
along HTPL), and tree Planting Projects. According to Engr. Faiyaz, the people who were
involved in the rehabilitation are the city government of Antipolo, Rizal Provincial Government,
DENR, and PENRO. Those people had a big contribution to the rehabilitation of Hinulugang
Taktak. Moreover, PAWB, Hon. Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez and Hon. Mayor Angelito C.
Gatlabayan were also involved in the rehabilitation of the area.
Based Engr. Faiyaz, the necessary measure implemented to improve the place were also
mentioned above such as the Toka-toka program, clean-up drive operations, construction of trash
traps, relocation of informal settlers construction of sewage treatment plant, IEC, tree planting
projects and installation of a sensing environmental parameters though telemetry water.
 Engr. Faiyaz also stated the different goals of each projects that were mentioned above.
First is the toka-toka program wherein Task Force Manila Bay monitored the actual conduct of
sludge removal. Second is the physical improvement of HTPL facilities wherein the city
engineering office developed and rehabilitated the whole community. For the clean-up drive,
operations, there were clean-up activities and tree plantings that were done. Fourth is the
construction of trash traps wherein city engineering office completed the construction of trash
traps in various tributaries. Tree planting projects, Information and Education Campaign (IEC),
water quality monitoring system, and other improvements were some other projects.

According to Eng. Faiyaz, he stated that the rules that are being implemented to sustain
the Hinulugang Taktak are the following: no smoking policy, no drinking of liquor,” basura ko,
uwi ko policy”, and no cooking is allowed in the premises, and other prohibitions and policy to
protect the HTPL. Furthermore, based on a study, there are 11 families of tree species within the
park. Some floras are present in the area are Kaimito (Chrysophyllum cainito), Jackfruit
(Artocarpus heterophyllus), Avocado (Persea americana), Santol (Sandoricum koetjape), Mango
(Mangifera indica), Kamias (Averrhoa bilimbi), Coconut trees. On the other hand, the animals
present are walak – walak, gigitod, kingfishers, owls and swifts. There is also the presence of
monitor lizard (varanus salvator), Philippine python (python reticulatus)and flying lizard
(draco volans) (Faiyaz, 2018). Engr. Faiyaz also explained the causes of pollution in Hinulugang
Taktak which is the improper wastewater and waste disposal. He said that if there is pollution in
the area, it can harm the biodiversity of Hinulugang Taktak as well. The people who usually
visits the place are the pilgrims from different places, students, senior citizens, pilgrims of our
Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Church of Antipolo City), and other tourists. Lastly, he stated
that the number of visitors around the area is only limited per day in order to maintain the
community well.