Massive coastal cleanup today

CEBU, Philippines — In time for the Earth Day observance today, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 intends to engage local communities in its efforts to preserve and protect the coastal areas here.

DENR-7 information officer Charmie Regudo said this yearly initiative also serves as a persistent call for the public to stop the improper throwing solid waste directly into the waters.

Plastic garbage and waste thrown into the seas float and oftentimes end up back in the coastline.

“We want to gather partner stakeholders and encourage public participation to improve the status of our coastal areas here in the region,” she said yesterday.

She said this year’s observance of Earth Day aims to achieve a healthier environment by reducing plastic garbage along the coastlines and seashores. Hence, the theme for this year is “Green the cities, green the oceans: End plastic pollution.”

Regudo said DENR-7 has initiated various activities in the different provinces that will happen simultaneously today.

In Cebu, the local office will spearhead a coastal cleanup activity that happens to be a yearly initiative already. The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cebu chose an area in Minglanilla town in southern Cebu because it has a wider space there that participants can clean up.

Starting 7 a.m., people are expected to crowd along the coastline of neighboring barangays Calajo-an and Tungkil that stretches for about one kilometer

Regudo said about 600 participants are expected to participate in today’s event.

Joining the DENR personnel are people from other government agencies, the local government unit, the non-government organizations, and private companies.

Just recently, the Philippines was identified by environmental group Greenpeace as the third worst polluter of the world’s oceans after China and Indonesia.

Regudo urged the public to maintain the cleanliness in the surroundings by disposing of their garbage properly. (FREEMAN)