By Lilanaiah Reyes
Department of Environment and Natural Resources led the cleanup of the controversial Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on September 17, 2022 in observance of the International Coastal Cleanup Day.
On that day, approximately 4,500 sacks of garbage have been collected.
Press release from DENR stated that the collected garbage consisted mostly of plastic wastes, dried water hyacinth and marine debris.
It was made possible by over 4,000 volunteers participating in the said cleanup event with the theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source”.
The ICC is held annually every third Saturday of September worldwide with an aim to build solidarity among communities in reducing water pollution in different bodies of water.
The spirit of volunteerism
DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa mentioned about 3,000 of the 4,500 sacks were provided by DENR Central Office through the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO), while 1,500 trash bags came from the DENR-National Capital Region, which includes the DENR-MEO West.
De Villa also said, “Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well,”
Some of the additional bags are from national and local agencies like Manila City government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard.
Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines and other private companies and organizations also took part in the event.
De Villa said that the Manila Baywalk reflects the collaboration among all sectors that is necessary to address coastal litter through targeted beach cleanup activities.
It’s an arduous task
“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.
DENR-MEO-West being the incharge to maintain the 500-meter beach walk, has been conducting cleanup operation to Manila Beach Walk since July 12 to September 14 prior to the ICC Day. Data showed that 147,939 sacks of solid wastes have been collected.
During the period, a total of 83,109 sacks of water hyacinth (a known aquatic plant that reduces water oxygen if further spreads) were also collected and 2,224 sacks of marine debris.
A need for another ‘ICC day’
Meanwhile, September 25, 2022 Typhoon Karding struck the country that affects most parts of Luzon. Dolomite beach did not escape from the damage of the typhoon. Morning after the typhoon, plastic wastes are seen on the shore.
MMDA conducted another cleanup for the wastes left by the typhoon.
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