Heavy metals such as lead, copper, mercury, and many more are present mostly in soils and bodies of water. Inhaling and being exposed to these toxic materials can cause a lot of health problems. People that will be exposed to these heavy metals can probably acquire respiratory, liver, and kidney problems. Especially, the people residing near Marikina River will be greatly impacted because they are exposed everyday to these heavy metals that are present in the river. Also at Marikina River, vegetables can be acquired such as water spinach which are consumed by people of the community. Since the Marikina River is polluted with heavy metals, the water spinach also absorbs these harmful materials. This can cause digestive problems to the people that consume it. 

     We need a solution for this problem. If no changes are made to address the harmful amount of heavy metals in Marikina River, the consequences could be severe. Firstly, the people living near the river would be at risk of serious health problems. Water contamination from heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can make it dangerous to drink. These metals can build up in the body over time and cause a variety of health problems. Moreover, vegetables that are commonly grown in the river such as the water spinach, or kangkong, may absorb and gather heavy metals, making them toxic for human consumption. This would negatively impact farmers' livelihoods and put consumers' health at serious risk because they would unknowingly consume contaminated vegetables. Animals living in and around the Marikina River may also be affected, they may consume contaminated water or feed on contaminated organisms and can suffer from the toxic effects of heavy metals. This can lead to population declines, changes in behavior, and detrimental effects on overall ecosystem health.

      However, if we decide to employ phytoremediation as a solution to address the heavy metal contamination in Marikina River, significant benefits can be achieved. Phytoremediation is a process that uses specially selected plants to extract, stabilize, or degrade pollutants from the soil, water, or air. By planting specific species of plants that are known to be efficient in absorbing heavy metals, we can reduce the levels of contamination in the river. These plants act as natural filters, extracting the heavy metals from the water and accumulating them in their tissues. This method not only helps clean up the river but also provides a sustainable and cost-effective approach to remediation.

     As students who occasionally pass by the Marikina River, we noticed it is filled with water spinach along its banks. Now is the time to utilize them into functional units that could help the community and the ecosystem in the city all together. The Marikina River is a source of subsistence for few people especially those who live near the less polluted section of the river, but that doesn't mean that the food they acquire from the river is already nourishing and safe for consumption. It still possibly carries heavy metals and other pollutants. To immediately combat this, phytoremediation must be done as it is the more natural and less expensive solution to the heavy metal contamination. This should be done as immediately as possible to avoid consumer health risks such as inadvertently consuming sullied vegetables. Phytoremediation using water spinach can also positively affect the aquatic life form underneath because they can live in a cleaner environment without the exposure to heavy metals such as copper. If this petition was efficiently put into action, health risks in food consumption caught in the Marikina River will be decreased, concomitantly, it could refine the Marikina River ecosystem and increase  its biodiversity. Aside from this, instantaneously implementing phytoremediation using water spinach can help us Marikeños in the upcoming months. As we already entered the 'rainy season' phase as PAGASA stated, we'll be experiencing more storms to come. Storms could bring about floods, and with floods comes pollution especially in the Marikina River. When heavy rains occur, the river might overflow and the pollutants it carries can dangerously affect those who are residing near the area. When inhaled and exposed to these heavy metals, we can obtain serious health problems. If we execute immediate action and start using water spinaches (kangkong) as phytoremediants, we can lessen heavy metals in the water diminishing its contamination levels, hence decreasing our risks of getting kidney, liver, and respiratory issues. Kangkong is not just Kangkong, Water Spinach is not average, they have ecological mileage! It’s time to act and utilize them now!