Jean Allyson F. Cabigao, @kaaksyon_ally BAJ 3A | PublicAksyon Posted on October 7, 2022
In commemoration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2022, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheaded a cleanup drive at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach, on September 17, 2022. 📷 George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the cleanup drive at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach with the theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source” on September 17, in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day.
According to Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, around 5,000 volunteers took part in the cleanup drive led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Climate Change Commission (CCC), and other agencies.
Plastic wastes, dried water hyacinths, and marine debris make up most of the garbage collected, according to West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa.
(Video courtesy: UNTV News and Rescue/ Video link: Sabayang paglilinis sa coastal areas, isinagawa kasabay ng International Cleanup Day)
The International Coastal Cleanup Day was proclaimed and annually celebrated on every third Saturday of September each year under Presidential Proclamation No. 470 in 2003, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Additionally, the cleanup drive also fell in line with Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) and 23rd Maritime Week which aim to dedicate the entire month of September to harmonizing, integrating, and synchronizing activities and programs that promote and raise national awareness on maritime concerns.
De Villa stated the DENR Central Office supplied 3,000 of the 4,500 sacks through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), while 1,500 came from the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), which counts the DENR-MEO West.
Additional garbage bags were obtained from the national and local government agencies and private organizations participants, such as the Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines attended and participated in the event as well, says DENR.
According to De Villa’s statement on September 30, “volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well.”
She added that the Manila Baywalk shows as an illustration of the cross-sector cooperation necessary to address coastal trash through targeted beach cleanup programs.
“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.”
Based on the data of DENR-MEO-West, a total of 147,939 sacks of solid waste have been collected in the cleanup drive held from July 12 to September 14.
During this time frame, a total of 83,109 sacks of water hyacinths and 2,224 sacks of marine debris were also collected.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) collected non-biodegradable rubbish during the cleanup drive
on September 17, 2022, at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach. 📷 PCG
Volunteers such as members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrolled the bay and picked up pieces of wastes washed upon the white artificial sand beach as early as 6 o’clock in the morning, wearing their signature orange and black casual shirts and shorts.
“More than 1,000 sacks of waste materials were collected during the activity earlier,” according to PCG.
In all, a total of 310 coast guards engaged with the initiatives, together with other representatives coming from PCG Auxiliary, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Heirs of the World Inc., Hotel 101 Manila, Climate Change Commission, and Eagles Club.
Also, the coastal cleanup drive was synchronically held in PCG stations nationwide.
“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.
Moreover, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also organized a cleanup drive on September 14 at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach to support the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day; the event was attended by workers and volunteers with disabilities and senior citizens, with the theme “Where Coastal Cleanup, Special Treats and Selling of PWDs Eco-Friendly Handicrafts Jam Together.”
Also, the cleanup drive is a part of the two-day event conducted by the Persons with Disability (PWD) Desk of the DENR-Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS).
Furthermore, the initiative supported this year’s ICC Day, anchored on the theme “Fighting for Trash-Free Seas, Pilipinas!” and the Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week honored annually from September 16 to 22.
“We strongly believe that all of our employees, especially our senior citizens and PWDs, should have the same opportunity to engage in our advocacy efforts. This is largely in part of our commitment to an inclusive workplace”, DENR-SCIS Director Khalil S. Bayam stated.
Coastal cleanup volunteers from the Pasig City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and the Philippine National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Lady Warriors joined DENR.
Environmental groups were already in the polluted bay prior to International Coastal Cleanup Day.
On September 16, 20 individuals from the Earth Island Institute started cleaning up the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat Ecotourism Area, a portion of 1,994 square kilometer bay which is said to be a habitat for marine animals and migratory birds coming from other parts of Asia.
Earth Island Institute gathered a total of more than 20 sacks of plastic waste, many of which are used face masks and test kits, they also state that the “amount of medical waste that is not properly collected is concerning.”
On September 17, the agency posted a public notice on their Facebook page inviting the masses to take part in the cleanup drive.
Environment Undersecretary Leones said that the advisory “aims to help clean our seas and oceans through volunteerism and emphasize their life-giving importance to humans.”
“It was important to clean up trash washed up on shores,” says Jon Bonifacio, national coordinator of Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment.
The Philippines is known for its rich marine resources, with almost 36,300 km (22,555 miles) of coastline in the archipelago having more than 7,600 islands.
Manila Bay is famous for its picturesque sunsets, but alongside its beauty, the waters along it are heavily polluted with oil, grease, and junk coming from residential areas and neighboring harbors.
Hundreds of volunteers participated in the cleanup drive clearing out the dirty and polluted coast of Manila Bay.
"This initiative will help make our coastal area in Manila Bay better so that our tourists and visitors will see the beauty of the bay," said Kendrick Lopez, an 18-year-old college student.
Janet Panganiban, a 36-year-old volunteer, shared her sentiment, “We need to do these (cleanup drives) for our environment and to discourage people from throwing trash on the seaside."
Thus, the public sees that there is an urge to address these pollution crises.
Keywords:
cleanup drive
DENR
Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach
International Coastal Cleanup Day
PCG
volunteers
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