By: Julienne Therese Fuentes
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accumulates non-recyclable waste materials throughout a coastal clean-up drive at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in Manila. The drive is part of the PCG's initiatives to commemorate International Coastal CleanUp Day 2022. Photo courtesy of PCG
BULACAN, Philippines - On Saturday, September 17, 2022, dozens of volunteers took part in a widespread clean - up drive along the polluted Manila Bay coast to commemorate International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC).
The event is held on its third Saturday of September yearly under Proclamation No. 470, signed by the former President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 as International Coastal Cleanup Day in commemoration of the global coastal clean-up ceremonies, and the nation voluntary participates to the event.
“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 Philippine Coast Guard.
Also, its goals are to motivate people all over the world to isolate trash and other pollutants from beaches, coastal waters, and other bodies of water, to determine the causes of the litter, to change environmental pollution behaviors, and to increase awareness about the extent of the marine pollution problem.
With over 4,000 volunteers participated in the clean-up drive led by the Department of Environmental Resources (DENR), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Climate Change Commision (CCC) and other agencies commemorates the International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC) which resulted in the collection of over 4,500 non-recyclable waste materials.
Majority of the garbage that was gathered are consisted of plastic waste, dried water hyacinth, and marine debris, says DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office - (MEO) West OIC Director de Villa.
“This day is a call to action for every one of us to take part in keeping our coast and beaches clean. We remain steadfast in our commitment to help in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
Patuloy kami sa aming mga Toka na aming naisasagawa sa pakikipagtulungan sa aming mga partners kaya naman lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa DENR, DENR-NCR, LLDA, LWUA at MWSS.”
(We continue with our duties that we have been able to carry out in collaboration with our partners that is why we are very grateful to DENR, DENR-NCR, LLDA, LWUA and MWSS.)” says Jennifer Delos Santos, Head of Manila Water’s Advocacy and Research Department.
The coastal cleanup effort was coordinated with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stations across the country.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accumulates non-recyclable waste materials throughout a coastal clean-up drive at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in Manila. The drive is part of the PCG's initiatives to commemorate International Coastal CleanUp Day 2022. Photo courtesy of PCG
Volunteers on International Coastal Cleanup Day, September 17, 2022, picks up trash along the shores of Manila Bay in Pasay City, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Eloisa Lopez.
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