{{Short description|River in Luzon, Philippines}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox river | name = Balili River | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = Naguilian River | name_etymology = Barangay Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP --> | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | map = | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Luzon mainland#Philippines | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption= Balili/Naguilian River mouth <!---------------------- LOCATION --> | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Philippines | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = Cordillera Administrative Region | subdivision_type3 = Province | subdivision_name3 = Benguet | subdivision_type4 = City/municipality | subdivision_name4 = {{hlist|Baguio|La Trinidad|Sablan|Bagulin|Naguilian|Bauang}} | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS --> | length = {{convert|62.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= Bagulin, La Union | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES --> | source1 = Cordillera Mountains | source1_location = Baguio | source1_coordinates= {{coord|16|25|29|N|120|35|36.9|E|dim:15000_region:PH_type:river|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = {{convert|1375|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = South China Sea | mouth_location = Bauang, La Union | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|16.522511|N|120.307503|E|format=dms|dim:15000_region:PH_type:river|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|196|m|abbr=on}} | progression = Balili River — Naguilian River | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|508|km2|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = Bolo Creek | tributaries_right = {{hlist|Sagudin River|Tuel River}} | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }}

The '''Balili River''', also known as the '''Naguilian River''', is a river in the provinces of Benguet and La Union on the island of Luzon, Philippines. With a total length of {{convert|62.7|km|abbr=on}}, it traverses the city of Baguio, and the municipalities of La Trinidad and Sablan before entering the province of La Union, where the midstream and downstream is called the Naguilian River.<ref name=SunStar>{{cite news|last1=Catajan|first1=Ma. Elena|title=City could face charges for Balili River pollution|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2012/12/02/city-could-face-charges-balili-river-pollution-256287|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=SunStar Baguio|date=December 2, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232042/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2012/12/02/city-could-face-charges-balili-river-pollution-256287|url-status=dead}}</ref> It drains into the South China Sea through the town of Bauang.

==Sources== The main tributary of the river is the Sagudin River which flows along barangay Trancoville in the city of Baguio. The Sagudin River itself has 23 tributary creeks coming from the city's populated barangays, which include Santo Niño (also known as the ''Slaughterhouse Compound''), New Lucban, Guisad, Honeymoon, Cabinet Hill, and Pacdal.<ref name=SunStar /><ref name=MB2>{{cite news|title=Benguet Slams Baguio City on Pollution of Balili River|url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-206537481|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=Manila Bulletin|date=August 25, 2009}}</ref> Other tributaries include the Bolo Creek in La Trinidad.<ref name=SunStar2>{{cite news|title=Hedcor volunteers clean up adopted creeks|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2012/08/23/hedcor-volunteers-clean-adopted-creeks-238884|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=SunStar Baguio|date=August 23, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061807/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2012/08/23/hedcor-volunteers-clean-adopted-creeks-238884|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Course== [[File:FvfNaguilianLU0362 18.JPG|thumb|left|The river in Naguilian, La Union]]

From Baguio, the Balili River flows northward, entering the municipality of La Trinidad. It traverses the barangays of Lubas, Balili (from which the river is named), Cruz, Poblacion, and Bineng. At upstream Bineng are several mini-hydroelectric power plants operated by Hydroelectric Development Corporation (HEDCOR). Downstream Bineng at the La Trinidad-Sablan-Tublay tri-point, the river is joined by the Tuel River, and continues to flow westward until it reaches the municipality of Sablan. It crosses another HEDCOR-operated mini-hydroelectric power plant, the Ampohaw Hydro, along barangay Banengbeng.<ref name=HEDCOR>{{cite web|title=Ampohaw Hydro|url=http://www.hedcor.com/default.aspx?usp=a*4Bwzl1M5v5w5uC4B59G@E5&cmp=Hedcor,%20Inc.%20Beckel&t=4&param=19|website=Hydro Electric Development Corporation (HEDCOR)|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134652/http://www.hedcor.com/default.aspx?usp=a*4Bwzl1M5v5w5uC4B59G@E5&cmp=Hedcor,%20Inc.%20Beckel&t=4&param=19|archive-date=March 6, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> As it exits Sablan and enters Bagulin in La Union province, it is named the Naguilian River.<ref name=SunStar />

==Pollution== The river suffers from excessive pollution, usually blamed upon the densely populated city of Baguio,<ref name=MB>{{cite news|last1=Fabian |first1=Larry P. |title=An urgent call to save Benguet’s Balili River system |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/an-urgent-call-to-save-benguets-balili-river-system/ |access-date=January 13, 2015 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204182312/http://www.mb.com.ph/an-urgent-call-to-save-benguets-balili-river-system/ |archive-date=February 4, 2015 }}</ref> where its headwaters are formed.<ref name=SunStar /> A study by the ''City Environment and Parks Management Office'' (CEPMO) of Baguio shows that half of the city's population live within the Balili watershed area, contributing the most waste.<ref name=SunStar3>{{cite news|last1=Aro|first1=Susan|title=Half of Baguio population is in Balili watershed|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2012/05/28/half-baguio-population-balili-watershed-223936|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=SunStar Baguio|date=May 28, 2012}}</ref> The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) revealed that the quality of the Balili River water test result falls under Class C from its water classification of ''Class A'' in 1975, which made its waters fit for drinking after treatment. In 2014, the water test result from Balili River is still within the classification of Class C freshwater, but then, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources cannot re-classify a river downgrading its classification from "Class A" to "Class C".<ref name=MB /><ref name=Midland2>{{cite news|last1=Ramon|first1=Dacawi|title=4 Rivers to be Reclassified According to Water Quality|url=http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/environment.asp?mode=archives/2012/july/7-15-2012/env4.txt|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=Baguio Midland Courier|date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> The river was included in the DENR's ''2003 Pollution Report'' as one of the 15 "biologically dead" rivers among the 94 principal river basins in the country.<ref name=Midland>{{cite news|last1=Palangchao|first1=Harley|title=MOU inked in bid to save Balili River system|url=http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/front.asp?mode=archives/2011/august/8-28-2011/front3.txt|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=Baguio Midland Courier|date=August 28, 2011}}</ref><ref name=PIA />

==Rehabilitation efforts== Several government agencies, academe and private organizations have expressed concern in rehabilitating the river, forming the ''Balili River System Revitalization Coalition'' (BRSRC).<ref name=MB /><ref name=ManilaTimes>{{cite news|last1=Keith|first1=Gaby B.|title=Calls for rehabilitation of Benguet river renewed|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/calls-for-rehabilitation-of-benguet-river-renewed/113873/|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=The Manila Times|date=July 24, 2014}}</ref> The Baguio Sewerage Treatment Plant was constructed in 1986 along Sanitary Camp to filter the river before it enters La Trinidad.<ref name=Midland3B>{{cite news|last1=Rillorta|first1=Paul|title=Rehab of sewage treatment plant up|url=http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/environment.asp?mode=archives/2011/november/11-20-2011/env2.txt|access-date=January 13, 2015|work=Baguio Midland Courier|date=November 20, 2011}}</ref> In 2013, the river was designated by the DENR as a "Water Quality Management Area" (WQMA) to protect and improve the water quality, pursuant to the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.<ref name=PIA>{{cite news|last1=Aro |first1=Susan |title=Balili River to be designated as Water Quality Management Area possible |url=http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=57437&y=2011&mo=12 |access-date=January 13, 2015 |agency=Philippine Information Agency |publisher=PIA Press Release |date=December 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221101649/http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=57437&y=2011&mo=12 |archive-date=February 21, 2015 }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline}}

Category:Rivers of the Philippines Category:Landforms of Benguet Category:Rivers of La Union