DENR IX joins thousands of volunteers in over 150 countries, continuing the country’s active participation in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, a global initiative dedicated to addressing ocean pollution through beach and waterway cleanups held every third Saturday of September.
In Pagadian City, the DENR IX, in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Pagadian, led a coastal cleanup earlier in 13 coastal barangays within the city.
Around 3,112 volunteers from 160 contingents from different government agencies and private sectors collected approximately 170 tons of wastes during the activity. Majority of the wastes collected were single-use plastics such as food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles and caps, plastic bags, and sachets.
Immediately after the cleanup, a closing program was held at the city wharf area.
ZDS PENR Officer Diomedes Pablo represented DENR IX Regional Executive Director Arturo E. Fadriquela. In a message, PENRO Pablo conveyed RED Fadriquela’s thanks to the active support and participation of the different local barangay leaders and community residents in helping undertake the noble initiative and hoped for a reduction of waste generated, particularly by the city, each year.
DENR IX also took part in the program through giving of limited edition merchandise to correctly answered questions during the trivia/question game.
Totong the Kitong, the mascot of Dumanquillas Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape also entertained the audience with a dance number.
Other DENR field offices and bureaus across Zamboanga Peninsula also led coastal cleanup drive in their respective areas in partnership with individuals and groups from national and local government agencies, academia, the private sector, youth organizations, civic groups, and civil society.
In Zamboanga City, CENR Zamboanga partnered with SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc, in organizing clean-up drive.
Around 1100 volunteers, comprising of SM employees and volunteers from the LGU, NGOs, Academe, men in uniform, fraternities & sororities, BLGUs, cooperatives, and other government agencies, actively participated in the initiative. The volunteers also collected around 908 kg of waste (beverage bottles, fishing nets, grocery bags, diapers, gloves, and masks).
Likewise, the Department have collaborated with UNTV office under the latter’s advocacy campaign Ocean Care Initiative.
Beyond waste retrieval, ICC volunteers documented the volume of waste collected which will be submitted to Ocean Conservancy and UN Ocean Decade to contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution.
Under the leadership of Secretary Antonia Loyzaga, the DENR is unwavering in its commitment to enacting effective solid waste management practices. DENR supports a circular economy wherein all plastics are reused, recycled, repurposed, and responsibly managed.
The DENR, in collaboration with organizations, implements a range of programs to address solid waste in cities and municipalities nationwide. This is in support of reinforcing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 or Republic Act 11898 which mandates enterprises to establish EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery, and diversion.
(Source: DENR Zamboanga Peninsula Facebook page)