In 2019, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) considered five rivers in town, including the Tigbao River—a portion of the Butuanon River in Barangay Bacayan—as dead rivers. The downstream areas of these rivers were highly polluted and contaminated. Even fish couldn’t survive in their current condition. In hopes of helping restore the rivers, Select VoiceCom’s SVC Riders Club organized Project 15: River Cleanup Drive.
On June 10, 2023, SVC collaborated with Barangay Bacayan and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VII to help revive the Tigbao River. During the river cleanup event, our dedicated SVC riders and volunteers cleaned the riverbank and were able to remove over 10 kilograms of garbage. This includes plastic bags, bottles, slippers, shoes, cigarette butts, and food wrappers.
If these loads of garbage were left piling up on the riverbed, there would be a time when families living in the area would need to vacate their homes before flash floods happen. That’s why SVC Riders Club took an action to clean up the Tigbao River to create a safer and more sustainable environment for the neighborhood and the next generation.
Riders on the Road, Volunteers on a Riverbank
The SVC Riders Club members came together to do the river cleanup drive, unfazed by the sun's heat. They went to Barangay Bacayan in full gear—gloves, masks, trash bags, tongs, and more. Volunteers picked up all the garbage they found in the river, not minding if they were already drenched in sweat. They saw each piece of trash as a glimmer of hope that it's not too late to bring the Tigbao River back to life.
The SVC riders were known for their fearless and adventurous spirit, but this time, they showed another side of them. Inside of them are gentle souls with a big heart for the planet. They didn't hesitate to step up and lead the cleaning of the Tigbao River. That just showed how much they care for our environment.
More Than Just a Cleanup Drive
Project 15: River Cleanup Drive is not just about cleaning the Tigbao River and making it garbage-free. It’s more about getting people to do something to resolve the problem we’re addressing in this program—pollution.
The SVC Riders Club aimed to promote the proper disposal of trash, a small step toward restoring the dead rivers in Cebu City. But the bigger picture the riders wanted to achieve was a cleaner, healthier environment for ourselves and future generations.
Become an SVC Pride in and Outside Work
Select VoiceCom is proud of our employees who excel in their jobs and accomplish even more outside their roles. If you’re a professional with a passion for volunteering, you should consider applying to SVC. Here, we’re more than just colleagues. We’re a supportive team ready to serve the company and the community. Visit the SVC Careers page to see the career opportunities we have for you!
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