Coastal clean-up yields discarded masks

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 has urged people to dispose of their used face masks properly rather than throwing them anywhere as these may end up in the coasts or in the oceans.

This as various national government agencies in Cebu conducted the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day yesterday.

BFAR-7 posted this reminder as they recorded a total of 772 kilograms of garbage, including face masks, gathered from the eight separate coastal cleanups conducted in the region.

Apart from face masks, other wastes collected were plastic containers, food wrappers, glass bottles, diapers, worn-out garments, tin cans, and styrofoam.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources also has a separate activity in partnership with Barangay Subangdaku in cleaning some portions of Mahiga Creek in Mandaue City.

In a clean-up summary, MGB-7 has recorded about 135 cubic feet of trash with approximate weight at 3,000-4,000 kilos at 30 square meters.

Trash items collected were mostly beverage and water bottles, beverage cans, sachets, pouches, cups and plates (foam, papers & plastics), plastic utensils, plastic food containers (bleach and oil), etc. There were also damaged appliances, toys, footwear and clothings.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Port Authority together with partners and port stakeholders collected a total of 72 sacks or 3,300 kilos of garbage along coastlines, waterways and port areas within Cebu province.

CPA said this is based on the consolidated data gathered after the conduct of simultaneous coastal clean-up activities by Port Management Offices in Cebu Baseport, Cebu International Port, Argao, Danao, Mandaue, Sta.Fe and Toledo with a total of 124 participants composed of CPA personnel, cargo handling service providers, shipping crew and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Collected garbage along coastlines are mostly plastics, dunnage, food wrappers, cigarette butts, abandoned fishing nets, beverage cans, used facemasks, among others.

The ICC is celebrated yearly by virtue of Proclamation No. 470, series of 2003, observed every third Saturday of September where communities are encouraged to participate in the clearing of coastlines, rivers, lakes, creeks, canals and other waterways tributaries. — GMR (FREEMAN)