Park goers urged to 'be responsible' after Christmas trash in Luneta

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism and environment watchdog, EcoWaste Coalition on Wednesday urged park goers to be responsible with their trashes following the celebration of Christmas at Rizal Park or Luneta which was filled with garbage. 

In a statement, the Department of Tourism said it is pleased that many Filipinos continue to visit Rizal Park and its free facilities. However, upon learning of the garbage-filled park after Christmas Day, the tourism agency called on the public “to maintain its cleanliness during and after their visit.”

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“We would like to remind everyone that preserving our country's destinations is also the duty of its citizens. Let us be responsible tourists by throwing our trash in the proper trash bins,” the DOT.

“While we continue our efforts to maintain the quality of our tourist sites, we look forward to your cooperation this coming New Year celebration,” it added.

EcoWaste Coalition said it is saddened and dismayed of the trashes left by thousands of visitors of Luneta on Christmas. It criticized the lack of discipline of Filipinos when it comes to throwing garbages.

“Kailan ba tayo magbabago? Ang pagkakalat ay isang masamang ugali na sumasalamin sa ating kawalang respeto at pagmamalasakit kay Inang Kalikasan at sa ating kapwa,” EcoWaste said.

“Kami ay muling umaapila sa lahat na pahalagahan ang ating kapaligiran at panatilihing malinis ang ating mga lugar-pasyalan. Kung paano nating pinapanatiling maayos, ligtas at maaliwalas ang ating mga tahanan, gayun din sana ang pagtrato natin sa ating kapaligiran. Salamat po at masayang Pasko,” it added.

Street sweepers of Rizal Park started cleaning the pile of garbage on Wednesday morning.

The Manila Police District Tactical Operations Center said around 12,000 individuals visited Luneta Park on Christmas Day.

In January this year, the Metro Manila Development Authority also collected three truckloads of garbage after the New Year’s Eve revelry. Around 90,000 people flocked Luneta on New Year’s Eve of 2018.