By: Angelina Mae Regalia @TheCapitol_News October 7, 2022
September 17, 2022- Picture of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after successful participation in DENR’s coastal cleanup drive at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2022. (Photo from PCG)
MANILA, Philippines-- With over 4,000 volunteers in Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach cleanup operation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) successfully recovered more than 4,500 sacks of trash in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022 last September 17.
Led by the department, DENR-Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) West OIC Director Rodelina de Villa acknowledged the efforts of volunteers as they promote the theme, "Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Pilipinas: Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source," which reported waste materials consist of plastic waste, dried hyacinth, and marine debris.
"Volunteers from government, private organizations, and private individuals came to the Baywalk’s coastline with their own garbage bags as well," de Villa said.
PH coastguard volunteers collecting non-biodegradable waste materials from the dolomite beach. (Photo from PCG)
The department also received additional bags from national and local government agencies of Metro Manila, which include Manila City Government, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine police, maritime group, the army, as well as coastguards.
Other companies and organizations also showed their support for the DENR project, coastal cleanup activities, which include Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., and the Dragon Boat Federation of the Philippines.
Moreover, de Villa highlighted the collaborative engagement of various sectors in improving and promoting clean waters and beaches.
"However big and daunting the task is, we can make a difference by bringing communities and people together to clean up beaches. Proof of this are organizations and individuals coming together at the Baywalk Dolomite Beach".
A maintenance officer sweeping garbage from Typhoon Quinta, revealing the black sand as white sand have reclaimed by the shore (Photo by KD Madrilejos/Rappler)
In contrast, a Rappler report stated that a marine scientist said that dolomite white sand dumped on Manila Baywalk could drift to the sea after weather disturbances.
During the House hearing last 2020, DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones admitted that “the process for environmental impact assessment was not followed” in which, evidence of this consequences is being seen today.
The environmental impact of the continuous erosion of dolomite reclaimed by the sea should also be looked at as we commemorate ICC Day.
The ICC Day is an annual celebration, promoting coastal cleanup activities that is held every third Saturday of September.
Keywords:
• DENR
• DENR Project
• Dolomite Beach
• Dolomite Beach cleanup operation
• Dolomite white sand
• Manila Baywalk
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