DENR to vacationers: Clean up your mess

Clean up as you go.

As the five-day holiday comes to a close, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is reminding the public to clean up their vacation sites before heading home.

After spending a pleasant time with family and friends, people should make sure that their trash are disposed of properly to keep campsites, beaches, and mountain trails safe and pollution-free, DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes said yesterday.

Improper waste disposal not only pollutes the environment but can lead to an outbreak of diseases, he warned.

Reyes reminded vacationers to segregate their trash and dispose of it the proper away.

For mountaineers, he said they can "dig compost pits for biodegradable (wastes) and never to burn these."

And for a change, Reyes suggested that hikers plant some tree seedlings before they leave camp.

"Make sure that you and everyone else who will go along with you have a plan on what to do with the garbage that has been generated along the way, and see if there are some spots where you can leave behind a gmelina or a fruit-bearing tree," Reyes said.

"Let us continue doing our share for the environment by maintaining the cleanliness and natural beauty of our watersheds, protected areas, and other vacation spots," Reyes added.

He said showing no concern for the environment by carelessly throwing food wrappers, plastic containers and other wastes in camp sites, mountain trails, and beaches poses danger to the sustainability and survival of people’s favorite holiday destinations.

"Wherever we go, let us always bear in mind that it is only us who can sustainably care for our natural resources and environment. We must protect our mountains and beaches, and other eco-tourism spots so we could enjoy them for years and years to come."

Reyes took as an example the San Cristobal Protected Landscape in Mt. Banahaw, which has been banned from visitors after the area, particularly Banahaw de Dolores, was closed down in March 2004 due to the presence of coliform bacteria in the Sta. Lucia River.

He pointed out that the outbreak of coliform bacteria was attributed to the improper waste disposal and other human activities in the area.

He also said that the once top destination for trekkers suffered tree cutting, destruction of pathways, and unsustainable gathering of various forest and herbal plants.

"It is best if our vacationers would segregate their wastes and dispose of them properly to keep vacation spots safe from pollution," he said.

"It is important that vacationers keep neatness and safety of their favorite destinations and keep our eco-tourism areas and beaches free from any destruction and depletion," he also said.