Group seeks Tagle’s help in garbage problem

MANILA, Philippines – Environmentalists are seeking the help of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and the entire Catholic clergy in fighting the “throwaway culture” that continues to destroy Mother Earth.

At the ongoing 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City, Tagle told participants “to live by restraint and go against the throwaway culture.”

Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, said Tagle’s call is most timely as the nation marks Zero Waste Month.

“As various sectors gather in Rizal Park over this weekend for a Zero Waste Fair, we will give a much-needed push for waste prevention and reduction efforts to beat the country’s persistent garbage woes,” Lucero said.

She stressed that now more than ever, Filipinos need the cardinal’s call for solidarity to tame the mounting garbage problem.

Garbage is projected to reach 40,087 tons daily this year, up from 37,427 tons in 2012.

In last year’s celebration of the “Season of Creation,” Tagle also urged the faithful to “avoid (the) throwaway attitude propelled by materialism, as well as the throw everywhere habit that produces mountains of garbage.”

“We fully support his denunciation of the throwaway culture and humbly request him to take his call further by initiating ecological reforms in our vibrant faith-inspired activities such as Christmas and the fiestas that tend to consume too much resources, while creating tons upon tons of trash, much of which get burned, buried or tossed into the rivers and seas,” Lucero said.

“We hope that all the country’s bishops and priests will take their cue from the respected cardinal and assist in building eco-friendly, non-toxic parishes and communities.”

Ecowaste called on the people to abide by Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.