PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The joint clean-up drive of Save the Puerto Princesa Bays and the pilot launch of the ‘Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Program collected over 109 tons of waste in the coastal area of Barangay Bagong Silang.

The Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan (Kalinisan) program was initiated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and its launch coincides with the sixth episode of the city government’s Save the Puerto Princesa Bays.

City DILG Director Eufracio Forones acknowledged the initiatives of the city government, which helps to implement consistent actions in cleaning coastal areas of Puerto Princesa.

"Malaking porsiyento ng basurang napupunta sa karagatan ay galing sa Pilipinas, kaya hamon sa ating lahat na maisalba at malinis ito,

[A large percent of waste going to the sea is from the Philippines; that’s why our challenge is to save and clean it],” he said.

The waste volume of 109 tons, or 98,905 kilograms, was jointly collected from the barangays of Bagong Sikat with 39,050 kilos, Bagong Silang with 32,280 kilos, Pagkakaisa with 15,735 kilos, Mandaragat with 5,120 kilos, Irawan and Sandiwa, Tiniguiban with 3,145 kilos, Aplaya in Sta. Laurendes with 2,935 kilos, Honda Bay with 545 kilos, and San Jose with 95 kilos.

Mayor Lucilo Bayron underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among partner agencies and offices in cleaning the coastal areas of Puerto Princesa.

"Lagi kong sinasabi na hindi kakayanin ito na mayor lang ang gagawa nito kundi kailangan ng tulong at pagkakaisa ng bawat mamamayan, [I always say that it cannot be done by the mayor alone; instead, it needs the support and cooperation of every citizen]," Bayron said.

The activity was attended by 1,717 individuals from academic institutions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, residents of different barangays, government employees, and members of private organizations. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA – Palawan)

*Banner photo courtesy of Puerto Princesa City Police Office