Earth Day cleanup yields 6T kilos of trash

CEBU, Philippines — At least 700 people collected a total of 6,000 kilograms of garbage at the coastal barangays of Calajo-an and Tungkil in Minglanilla town, Cebu yesterday.

The cleanup drew volunteers from various government offices and private firms to help clean up the one-kilometer coastline, resulting in the collection of at least 224 sacks of trash.

Among the collected garbage were plastic wrappers, diapers, rags, and sacks, among others.

The cleanup, which was spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas, was among the highlights of the Earth Day celebration.

“Our country is highly regarded in the world for the richness of its coastal and marine resources. This calls for sustainable protection and management for our future generation,”DENR-7 Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales said in his speech prior to the cleanup.

Elmer Agustin of the DENR-7’s Information and Communications Technology Unit said the coastal barangays have been improving since last year.

The barangays, in cooperation with the municipal government, have reportedly been conducting a weekly cleanup drive.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated every April 22 in support of environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970 in the United States of America.

This year’s theme—"Green the Cities, Green the Oceans - End Plastic Pollution" — aims to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics. — Adonis Matthew Ardiente, CNU Intern (FREEMAN)