As part of the Month of the Ocean (MOO) 2024 celebrations, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Barotac Nuevo conducted a coastal clean-up and information campaign at Sitio Punta Pulao, Barangay Bantud Fabrica, Dumangas, Iloilo on May 10, 2024.
With the theme “Develop a Sustainable and Equitable Blue Economy,” the event emphasized the importance of conserving, protecting, and sustainably managing Philippine coastal and marine resources.
Participants included various agencies such as the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Tactical Group 6, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) from Dumangas and Pototan, Barangay officials led by Punong Barangay Lolibert Pelaez, the 552nd Engineering Battalion of the Philippine Army, CENRO Barotac Nuevo personnel led by CENR Officer Glenn S. Del Norte, and MENRO representatives from the Municipality of Dumangas.
The coastal clean-up involved 133 participants who collected 30 sacks of waste, weighing approximately 200 kilograms. The waste consisted mostly of plastic bags, beverage bottles, special wastes, candy wrappers, styrofoam, old shoes/slippers, cigarette butts, beverage sachets, bottle caps, and cups. The municipal garbage truck later collected the accumulated waste for proper disposal.
Following the clean-up, an information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign was conducted, focusing on Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001.
“Time and again, I would like to remind everyone to please dispose of your wastes properly because there is a big possibility that it will reach our waters and, in turn, pollute our marine ecosystems and harm wildlife. Let us help each other, the government and the communities in strengthening efforts to protect our seas and oceans for the future,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.
The activity highlighted the collective effort needed from both the government and communities to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practices for future generations.
