Basura Collection Contest launched in Malapascua

CEBU, Philippines – With the aim to sustain and preserve its reputation as a premier tourist destination, the island of Malapascua in Daanbantayan town has launched a garbage collection contest, which will be participated in by seven sitios in the island.

No less than Tourism Secretary Ace Durano pledged P22,000 for prizes of the winners- P8,000 for the first prize, P6,000 for the second prize, P4,000 for the third prize and P1,000 each for the four non-winning sitios.

Rex Novabos, the barangay captain of Logon or commonly known as Malapascua Island, said the winners will be determined by the sitios that have collected the biggest volume of garbage, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable, as well as the cleanliness of the sitio.

Judging will take place on May 3, 2009 as part of the activities for the upcoming fiesta in the island on May 10 and 11.

Novabos said they originally planned to give out very meager prizes of P3,000; P2,000 and P1,000 for the winning barangays but Durano reportedly offered to donate a bigger amount as support of the Department of Tourism to the project. — Gregg M. Rubio/JMO  (THE FREEMAN)