Junneth C. Dela Cruz, @kaaksyon_junny BAJ 3A | PublicAksyon Posted on October 7, 2022
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) celebrated International Coastal Cleanup Day 2022. 📷 PCG
MANILA, Philippines – On Saturday, Sept.17, the Philippines joined the rest of the world in commemorating this year's International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) day, with volunteers and organizations working together to clean up shorelines and other waterways of plastic and other waste. In honor of International Coastal Clean-Up Day, the government participated in a cleanup drive right on the coast, where it sparked controversy over its costly beautification of Manila Baywalk.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led a cleanup of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in honor of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022. Over 4,000 volunteers helped with the cleanup, which resulted in at least 4,500 sacks of garbage. According to the DENR Metropolitan Environmental Office-West (MEO-West), they conducted a clean-up activity at the Dolomite Beach area in Ermita to remove the mass of water hyacinths that had accumulated on its shores after a week of nonstop rains and winds. Data from the DENR-MEO-West, whose responsibility it is to oversee the upkeep of the 500-meter beach promenade, reveals that from July 12 to September 14, cleanup efforts resulted in the collection of 147,939 sacks of solid trash.
To ensure a plastic-free Philippines, the CCC, the lead agency for climate change mitigation and adaptation, urged the public to join similar efforts even after the coastal clean-up observation period ended. "Ang Pilipinas ay pang lima sa may pinakamahabang coastline sa buong mundo, at mahalaga na pangalagaan natin ito at panatilihing plastic-free," CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert Borje said in a post.
According to the study, the majority of plastic entering the ocean originates in a small geographic area, with more than half coming from just five rapidly growing economies: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Initiatives such as clean-up drives, and other efforts should be undertaken as soon as possible to prevent our seas from becoming overrun with plastic waste. Plastic debris is now emerging as a new, truly global challenge due to its longevity, ubiquity, and sheer volume. According to a study titled Stemming the Tide: Land-based Strategies for a Plastic-free Ocean published in 2015 by global advocacy firm McKinsey Center for Business and Environment. Some plastic products are estimated to retain their original recognizable form 400 years after being dumped into the ocean.
📷 PCG
It is evident that the Bayanihan Culture is still in the hearts of the Filipinos, we may be born in this new modern generation, but the blood of the Filipino culture still exists. Volunteers joined the Coastal Clean Up Program the moment they have seen the amounts of social media posts. Many volunteers have come from different cities but still, the Filipino people made an effort to make a new difference that will enlighten the Filipinos to show that “Together we help, together we make change”.
"By uniting towns and people to clean up beaches, we can make a difference, no matter how large and difficult the work may be. Organizations and individuals congregating at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach are evidence of this, according to De Villa.
As I recall and heard, Manila Bay rehabilitation during the Boracay campaign would be the next, and surprisingly, that happened on January 27, 2019. When I heard the news, I opened my laptop and searched on YouTube what was going on with the Clean-Up Drive, and I discovered how massive it was. It was the first time in history that all different government agencies/workers, volunteers from other organizations, and individuals participated in the historic event. The initiative was led by DENR Secretary Cimatu, DILG Secretary Ano, and other Duterte Cabinet Secretaries present, and was dubbed "Battle for Manila Bay."
Calling it the “Battle for Manila Bay,” Cimatu, a former Armed Forces chief, said: “This is one battle that will be won not with force or arms, but with the firm resolve to bring Manila Bay back to life.”He added: “With the commitment and determination of every Filipino to do his share in this rehabilitation effort, we have already won the battle for Manila Bay.”
The initiative is part of a larger national effort to address the growing problem of plastic waste. To emphasize how polluted the body of water has become, the campaign in Manila is dubbed "Battle for Manila Bay." According to the environmental nonprofit Greenpeace, plastic pollution covers the bay's shores, crowds its waves, and frequently harms marine creatures. Environmentalists refer to it as a "unflushed toilet."
She told Global Citizen, "We have a lot of good environmental laws here." "It's just that we don't follow through on them."
"We ended up third in the world in terms of ocean plastic pollution for such a small country," said Peachie Dioquino-Valera, an environmental activist with the Climate Reality Project, referring to a report published in Science Magazine. "This fact alone demonstrates how massive this problem is for us."
However, the post sparked outrage on Facebook and other social media platforms. "You spent millions on the dolomite, and the Filipinos will end up cleaning," one commenter said.
"The dead whale that washed up with plastic in its stomach was not the first, and unfortunately, it will not be the last," said Anna Oposa, executive director of the marine conservation organization Save Philippine Seas. "How many more do we need before we see that plastic pollution affects more than just humans?"
Meanwhile, environmental organizations continue to urge corporate polluters to accept responsibility for the plastic pollution crisis. "By doubling down on corporate accountability, we can end plastic clean-ups," Break Free from Plastic global coordinator Von Hernandez said in a release, adding that the organization's brand audit initiative to identify polluters is still ongoing.
Aside from Manila Bay, the country's other bodies of water have received long-overdue attention. Companies have been conducting corporate social responsibility programs in coastal communities in an attempt to mitigate the effects of solid waste pollution, particularly improperly disposed of plastic.
The current movements demonstrate that the plastic waste problem should not be addressed by a single sector. It is a collaborative effort that requires cooperation and commitment from all sectors of society, from each citizen to each business, and, ultimately, from government policies and enforcement.
There will be fewer plastic pollutants carried by the tides from our seas to other parts of the world as more Filipinos become aware of the importance of proper waste management and recycling. The Manila Bay clean-up efforts, which are scheduled to take place weekly, have already yielded results. People have begun to flock to the previously unnoticed location to watch the world-famous Manila Bay sunset. It will take more work to restore the Bay to its former glory, but with more hands-on deck, the goal of having the waters "Swim-able" again is achievable.
Fortunately, a few men took the initiative to remove plastic trash from the sand and murky waters. A day after the massive cleanup, Christopher Ballejos Abria, 45, was the first person seen collecting garbage.
"Hindi ko nakapunta noong Sunday, ngayon lang po ako." "May maitutulong pa naman ako eh (I missed the group effort on Sunday, so I'm making up for it right now, and there's still a lot of work to do here)," the man explained.
Nelson Delgado, 41, rushes to the bay after finishing his shift as a night guard in Malate. He keeps his phone in a cellophane bag, so it doesn't get wet when he goes swimming. Delgado used to work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but after his contract expired, he returned to the Philippines. He spends his free time at the bay while waiting to hear from his agency. For him, the joy of helping to save the environment outweighs the mockery he receives from those who claim he will get nothing but filth and foul odor.
"Yung dumi naman po, nahuhugasan yan at nawawala. Yung kakaibang saya na nakukuha sa pagkakawanggawa, forever ko na po yung ite-treasure (We can wash off the dirt and the smell, but this little charity I do, I will treasure it forever)," he said.
The changes brought about by the various agencies and volunteers have had a significant impact on the world, particularly on Filipinos throughout the country. The initiatives held by these groups, and even the migrating birds that came in flying along the seashore lines which they have been celebrating the happiness that cannot be noticed before the massive cleaned-up and the smelly garbage vanished instantly with a natural sea breeze that made the people's smile and express their love to Manila Bay.
Following the massive clean-up, migrating birds were seen flying along the beach, indicating that heaven is within the hearts of the Filipinos who volunteered for the event. People traveled long distances to see Manila Bay. Everyone can feel free, and you can feel the happiness brought by everyone who visited Manila Bay because of their love for the environment. Whatever happened in the past, the sunset brought in Manila Bay is a big factor of a winner and something to be proud of as a Filipino.
Keywords:
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) day
Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
Manila Baywalk
DENR Metropolitan Environmental Office-West (MEO-West)
climate change
China
Indonesia
The Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Battle for Manila Bay
Manila Bay clean-up
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