ABOUT a ton of garbage was collected in the cleanup in Barangay Zone 15, Talisay City in observance of Earth Day.

About 50 employees of Filinvest Land and volunteers participated in the clean-up drive led by Filinvest Land, the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) and the Barangay Council of Barangay Zone 15.

Neil Brian Serantes, branch manager of Filinvest-Bacolod said they chose they chose the are is nearer to their project and in line with the company's clean and green project. The clean-up activity started at 6 a.m. and ended at 8 a.m.

A mangrove area was also cleaned up urban and coastal including small scale quarries.

Elmer Espeja, project development officer of PEMO said the garbage collected during the clean-up came not only from the area but also from the neighboring barangays and in some upland areas.

Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Joemar Estrope said they are thankful for the clean-up drive because it helps a lot in the area which is part of government property.

Estrope said they have been encouraging a clean-up however some local residents would not participate without some incentives.

Most part of the coastal areas, he said, also belong to private properties.

Filinvest's project in Talisay City on the other hand is a 51-hectare mixed-use development project under the name Palm Estates.