The Parañaque River was once “relatively clean,” as the incumbent Parañaque City Mayor, Florencio “Jun” Bernabe, Jr., would put it. "The color of the water was green because of its lush vegetation. We would swim back and forth from our house in La Huerta towards Don Galo. As we grew up, we would jump to the river from the Parañaque Bridge and had lots of fun doing so.”

Through the years, however, the Parañaque River has, unfortunately, deteriorated that may only be attributed to neglect and lack of concern among the city's populace.  The development of new residential communities and commercial establishments has caused the influx of migrants from other towns and provinces and contributed to the increased discharge of wastes into the river.  People continue to swim in the river but, with a lot of health risks.

The Rotary Club of Parañaque South (RCPS), led by Pres. Ed Castillo, felt the strong need to partner with the city government's “Save Parañaque River” project to bring back life to the river and revive its old glory.  On December 1, 2008, with RCPS as the lead host club, Mayor Bernabe, D3830 Governor Boyet Limon and Pres Ed Castillo, with 15 other Parañaque Rotary club presidents, signed a memorandum of agreement at the Forum Hall of Casino Filipino in Parañaque City to officially launch the campaign for the restoration and preservation of Parañaque River.

Saving Parañaque River may sound like a tall order, but in partnership with willing and dedicated volunteers from environment and religious groups, non-government organizations, government agencies and other concerned citizens, the project is definitely doable and an effort worth pursuing.