Nerissa P. Paguiligan, @kaaksyon_neri BAJ 3A | PublicAksyon Posted on October 7, 2022
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participated in the clean-up drive on the coast of the Manila Bay as part of the International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. 📷 PTV
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the coastal cleanup of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on September 17 to show their dedication to lead national environmental initiatives by participating in the global observance of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022 with this year’s theme "Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source."
According to DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa, more than 4,000 volunteers from various governmental and non-governmental groups participated in the cleanup operation, which produced at least 4,500 sacks of garbage.
Plastic wastes, dried water hyacinth, and marine debris made up the majority of the garbage that was gathered, according to de Villa.
These were participated by the military, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), volunteer groups, and private organizations. The Dolomite Beach activity had 310 volunteers, according to the PCG.
Additional trash bags were sourced from participating national and local government agencies and private organizations, which include the Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
According to DENR, Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines also took part in the event.
1,500 of the 4,500 trash bags came from the DENR-National Capital Region, which includes DENR-MEO West, while 3,000 trash bags came from the DENR Central Office via the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO.)
“This day is a call to action for every one of us to take part in keeping our coasts and beaches clean. We remain steadfast in our commitment to help in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Patuloy kami sa aming Toka na aming naisasagawa sa pakikipagtulungan sa aming mga partners kaya naman lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa DENR, DENR-NCR, LLDA, LWUA at MWSS.” says Jennifer Delos Santos, Head of Manila Water’s Advocacy and Research Department.
The Manila Water Foundation (in partner with UNICEF), which provided bottles of alcohols to attendees, the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines, and Manila Water, which collaborated with regional and national government organizations and barangays initiate the tree-planting campaigns, waterway cleanups, and desludging caravans, all took part in the event.
De Villa stated that the Manila Baywalk is an example of the cross-sector cooperation required to reduce coastal trash through targeted beach cleanup operations.
“However big and daunting the task is, we can make a difference by bringing communities and people together to clean up beaches. Proof of this are organizations and individuals coming together at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach,” de Villa added.
During this time frame, a total of 83,109 sacks of water hyacinths and 2,224 sacks of marine debris was also collected.
“Ang Pilipinas ay panglima sa may pinakamahabang coastline sa buong mundo, kaya’t mahalaga na pangalagaan natin ito at panatilihing plastic-free. Ang pagtugon sa plastic pollution ay kabahagi ng mas malawak na climate action,” CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert Borje said in a post.
Volunteers and members of several government agencies conduct a clean-up drive at the
Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay on Sept. 17, 2022. 📷 Eloisa Lopez, GMA News Online
The International Coastal Clean-up Day was declared on the third Saturday of September of each year in the Philippines under the Presidential Proclamation No. 470, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 as ICC day in observance of the global coastal clean-up celebrations.
The cleanup effort also coincided with Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) and the 23rd Maritime Week, which aims to dedicate the month of September to “harmonize, integrate, and synchronize programs and activities that will raise national consciousness on maritime archipelagic concerns.”
The coastal clean-up drive was simultaneously held in PCG stations nationwide.
Caviteño volunteers clean up the shore of Barangay San Rafael 3 in Noveleta, Cavite as part of the International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 17, 2022. 📷 Dennis Abrina
In Cavite, more than 1,000 volunteers gathered together at different cleanup sites to participate and unite in the clean up drive.
Meanwhile, in Bacoor City, Mayor Edwin "Strike" Revilla led the cleanup in Barangay Sineguelasan together with employees of the local government here in cooperation with the local police, local Fire bureau, Coast Guard and nongovernment organizations.
The PCG District Southeastern Mindanao in Tagum City also collected approximately 800 kilos of waste materials along the coastline of Barangay Madaum.
They were joined by representatives from the Hijo Resources, Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office, Boy Scout of the Philippines Tagum City Council, La Filipina Elementary School, and United States Marines.
In Basilan, the PCG Station Basilan also racked up 20 sacks of waste materials along the 500-meter long coastline of Barangay Baluno, Isabela City.
The DENR also said that with the assistance of 989 volunteers, its cleanup efforts in the Cordillera Administrative Region produced 3,599.241 kilograms (kg) of mixed wastes, while DENR Caraga's 182 volunteers gathered 454 kg of trash.
“The International Coastal Clean-up Drive is vital as it promotes and unites countries and people with one common objective which is to take care of our environment by maintaining the cleanliness of our shorelines, rivers, lakes, and other waterways,” says PCG.
The goal of the International Coastal Cleanup Day, which is observed by nations around the globe, is to encourage citizens to clean up trash from beaches and other bodies of water.
“We can end plastic clean ups by doubling down on corporate accountability,” Break Free from Plastic global coordinator Von Hernandez said in a release, adding that its brand audit initiative to identify polluters continues.
Environmental organizations continue urging corporate polluters to take accountability for the problem of plastic pollution.
“While the number of events and locations change each year, the culprits in this story remain the same, and unless these top corporate polluters invest in real solutions that move us away from dependence on single-use plastics, we will continue to see the same brands and companies wreaking havoc on the climate and our environment,” Hernandez added.
For people who feel the spirit of volunteerism, now would be a good time to join the cause to save the Manila Bay. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority provides cleaning and protective gear for people who want to help keep Manila Bay clean, although volunteers can also bring their own.
Keywords:
DENR
Dolomite Beach
International Coastal Cleanup
coastal cleanup
Manila Baywalk
volunteers
garbage
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