Two tons plastic bottles collected during fiesta

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) has collected at least two tons of used plastic water bottles during the 10-day fiesta celebrations.

CENRO Head Ma. Nida Cabrera said these water bottles were collected from the eco-stations established along the Sinulog Grand Parade route, Plaza Sugbo, Fuente Osmeña, and Plaza Independencia.

“Timing sad nga nakahipos mi og mga bottles gikan atong Sinulog, so ubay-ubay among nahimo nga biofence nga magamit sa paglimpyo sa rivers ug water systems sa syudad,” she told reporters.

Cabrera said the two tons of plastic water bottles will be used to make a biofence which is made of recycled plastic bottles that are wrapped in fishnets.

In September 2018, CENRO launched the biofence that is designed to float on any body of water to trap garbage strewing the area.

This year, CENRO received an order from Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office to prioritize cleaning the esteros, creeks, rivers, and all water systems within the territorial jurisdiction of each local government unit.

For Cebu City, Cabrera said it has 10 water systems but she was told to prioritize the big water systems such as the Mahiga Creek, Bulacao River and the Guadalupe River.

With this, she said her office decided to make use of the two tons of plastic bottles they have collected to make 200 10-meters long and half-a-meter wide biofences.

Each of biofence needs 840 pieces of plastic bottles.

“Gisugdan na sad namo pag-develop ang biofence.  Giusab na namo karon, dunay mga boundaries na ug gi-cluster namo ang atong mga rivers.  Nagka-problema man ta last year kay way moangkon og diin ni gikan ang hugaw, so nagsugod ta karon sa kinatas-an paingon dayon sa ubos,” she said.

Cabrera said there are teams assigned for the construction and installation of biofences; collection of garbage; information dissemination and for the team that will issue citation tickets to people who are responsible for the litters in their areas.

She said several business establishments have already vowed to help the city government in collating plastic bottles for the hundreds of biofences that are needed to clean the esteros and other water systems.

Once several numbers of biofences will be made, she said the city will launch the cleaning and adapting of the water systems in the city.

“Naay nag-prepare sa atong mga biofences, naa say na-assign karon nga mo-harvest sa kada na put-up nga biofence, at the same time sila maoy mo set up niya naa say mo-harvest.  So, amo gyud gibahin among buhatonon, mo-harvest sa hugaw,” she added. (FREEMAN)