THE 2018 MassKara season ended over the weekend, with thousands of merrymakers enjoying Bacolod’s world-famous festival out in the streets.

The aftermath reveals a different story: lots of trash left behind on streets and sidewalks.

On Monday morning, over 300 volunteers showed up to participate in another SweepWalk, or picking up trash along the way while walking for exercise.

This event, organized by SM City Bacolod and the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation (PRRFCI), was participated by students, youth, professionals and environmental advocates from Bacolod City National High School, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, Croper Rescue, SM Security Force, Linghod, taekwondo jins of Crishar Taekwondo Training Center, and mall employees and tenants.

The SweepWALK started in Mandalagan, along Lacson Street, where volunteer sweep walkers picked up trash as they walked together to the end point at SM City Bacolod. About 50 sacks of trash, filled mostly with plastic waste and other non-biodegradable materials were collected.

The PRRFCI, the organization that manages the conservation haven Danjugan Island in Cauayan, will coordinate for the proper disposal of the collected waste.

The purpose of the SweepWALK is to create awareness of the plastic waste generated daily and the harmful effects it has on seas and marine life, where these wastes will ultimately end.

Regular SweepWALKs are organized to continuously advocate for #MoreFishNotPlastic and to encourage the habit of proper solid waste management, healthy exercise like walking, and ultimately developing the habit of refusing single-use plastic.

The SweepWALK ended at SM City Bacolod with a talk on how we can make a positive impact on the environment. (PR)