Kristel Anne J. Vadal, @kaaksyon_telly BAJ 3A | PublicAksyon Posted on October 7, 2022
Volunteers join the coastal cleanup of Dolomite Beach in observance of the International
Cleanup Day 2022. 📷 George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched the cleanup of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach, in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day on September 17, 2022.
With the theme, “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source”, this program is one of the eight DENR cleanup initiatives in Metro Manila. The activity is held annually under the Presidential Proclamation No. 470 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003, declaring the third Saturday of September as ICC Day.
International Coastal Cleanup established by the Ocean Conservancy in 1986, is the largest initiative and effort made for the ocean’s health, uniting both countries and people around the world to collect trash that pollutes water.
Philippines officially joined the ICC in 1994 and topped the ICC in terms of volunteer turnout making it “The Clean-up Capital of the World.”
This year, the cleanup activity spearheaded by DENR has amassed an over 4,000 volunteers from the government, private organizations and even private individuals who joined forces and yielded a whopping 4,500 sacks of garbage thereafter.
According to DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West Officer-In-Charge, Director Rosalinda de Villa, majority of the collected garbage mostly consists of plastic wastes, dried water hyacinth, and marine debris. She further explained that 3,000 of the 4,500 sacks were provided by DENR Central Office, through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), while the remaining 1,500 bags came from the DENR-National Capital Region, including DENR-MEO West.
Additional trash bags were also reported to source from the participating agencies from both local and national government and private organizations including Manila City Government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police, PNP-Maritime Group, Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines were also present in the said event.
PCG collects sea waste materials throughout Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on behalf of its efforts in celebrating International Coastal Cleanup Day. 📷 PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also participated and collected at least 1,000 sacks of non-biodegradable waste throughout the activity. PCG also said that this cleanup is vital as it promotes and unites countries and people with one common objective, which is to take care of our environment specifically by maintaining the cleanliness of our shorelines, rivers, lakes and other waterways.
On the other hand, the Manila Bay according to Director Rosalinda de Villa, reflects the collaboration of all sectors and a reminder that it is crucial to address coastal litter through specific and targeted cleanup activities.
“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,” she added.
The data from DENR- Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West, has revealed that the total accumulated garbage bags of pure solid wastes collected in cleanup drives from July 12 to September 14 is 147, 939 sacks. Throughout the period, 2, 224 sacks of marine debris and 83, 109 sacks of water hyacinth were also collected.
Keywords:
Dolomite Beach
Garbage
Manila Baywalk
Volunteers
International Coastal Cleanup Day
DENR
4,500 sacks
Cleanup
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