THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted a series of activities on Aliguay Island, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, September 18, 2021.
Rosevirico Tan, DENR regional information officer, said the activities include a coastal cleanup, scubasura, and communication, education and public awareness campaign on the significance of the ocean and Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act 9003).
Tan said the event is to engage people to remove trash and debris from beaches, waterways and other water bodies, to change their behaviors that cause pollution, to have a sense of responsibility, and to increase the level of awareness and solicit support and cooperation from the community.
Tan said some 18 sacks or 112 kilograms of garbage were collected, consisting mostly of plastic bottles and other household wastes.
“These were taken barangay Material Recovery Facility for proper segregation and disposal,” he said.
The activity was participated by 52 personnel of the DENR to include those of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Environment and Resources Office, Community Environment and Natural Resources-Piñan, and Protected Area Management Office, PCG, village officials of Aliguay headed by Village Chief Lyn Marie Evardo and residents of the village.
The celebration of the 2021 International Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual event held every third Saturday of September.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “Understand and Beat Marine Pollution.” (SunStar Zamboanga)