CEBU CITY – The EcoWaste Coalition, in partnership with Sanlakas Cebu and Barangay Tejero, celebrated Zero Waste Month today with the “Sinulog sa Kabatan-onan Alang sa Kinaiyahan” (Sinulog of the Youth for the Environment), a Sinulog-inspired parade advocating for a plastic-free celebration of the renowned Sinulog Festival.
The two-hour parade featured approximately 50 Barangay Tejero residents, who danced through the streets in honor of the Child Jesus and Mother Earth. The procession began at Ponce Street near Carreta Cemetery and concluded with a program at Barangay Tejero Gymnasium.
Participants performed traditional Sinulog dance moves while holding images of Santo Niño and banners bearing calls for trash-free and plastic-free festivities. The lively chants of “Viva Pit Señor” echoed their commitment to combining cultural celebration with environmental responsibility.
Barangay Tejero Captain Harold Seno underscored the significance of the event, pointing out the waste challenges associated with large-scale festivals.
“Sinulog attracts millions of people from Cebu and beyond, generating tons of garbage, especially single-use plastics and food waste. We are one with the EcoWaste Coalition in encouraging residents and visitors to keep our streets and plazas litter-free,” Seno said.
EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero emphasized the importance of cultural events in driving environmental sustainability.
“Sinulog is a celebration of faith and culture, but it is also a timely reminder of our duty as stewards of God’s creation to protect the environment,” Lucero said. “Zero waste is not just a buzzword — it’s a lifestyle change we must adopt to combat plastic pollution and preserve our planet for future generations.”
Sanlakas Cebu representative Victor Sumampong echoed the call for collective grassroots action to address Cebu’s mounting waste problem.
“Our Sinulog-inspired event calls attention to the urgent need for ecological solutions to ensure our right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment,” Sumampong said.
During the program, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local civil society organizations highlighted the importance of implementing Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The event aligns with EcoWaste Coalition’s broader efforts to promote zero waste practices by working with government agencies, barangays, and local organizations to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable Philippines.
