Government agencies and thousands of volunteers picked up trash on Saturday to mark the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day.
According to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Jhomer Apresto, around 4,000 volunteers, including members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, participated in the cleanup of Dolomite Beach in Manila.
Meanwhile, about 1,000 volunteers joined the activity at the Estero de Sunog Apo in Tondo, which was attended by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Procopio Lipana, while Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna led the cleaning at Baseco Beach.
Sacks of garbage were collected from different coastal areas in Manila.
The Manila local government urged residents to observe proper disposal of their waste.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also led a cleanup drive in Barangay Tanza Uno, Navotas City, as it called on the public to join initiatives aimed at ocean conservation and protection.
About 500 individuals from the BFAR-Central Office, BFAR-National Capital Region (NCR), New Era High School, Asian Social Institute, and Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan joined the cleanup activity at the Marine Tree Park.
BFAR National Director Atty. Demosthenes Escoto said the theme for this year’s celebration, “Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries,” echoed the bureau’s call for the public to cooperate in maintaining waste-free bodies of water to ensure a thriving fisheries industry.
“I am optimistic that by working together, we can ensure that our oceans and coastal regions continue to be a source of life, inspiration, and prosperity for all,” he said. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
