CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Coast Guard Northern Mindanao (PCG-NM), with its launch of ‘Task Force Ingat Yaman Dagat’, has called on all sectors of society, including every private citizen, to take action in the protection, preservation, and conservation of the marine environment.
In an episode of Talakayan sa PIA, up close and personal, CG ENS Dave Abelarde, PCG-10 deputy for Marine Environmental Protection, shared that there needs to be a sense of responsibility from all stakeholders in taking care of the ocean.
The Philippines has become the number one contributor to solid waste pollution in the world, Abelarde said.
According to an international study, the Philippines had the largest share of global plastic waste discarded in the ocean in 2019. The country was responsible for 36.38 percent of global oceanic plastic waste, far more than the second-largest plastic polluter, India, which in the same year accounted for about 12.92 percent of the total.
With an average of 3.30 kilograms per person per year, the Philippines ranks as the world’s leading contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans.
“If we want to provide, or if we want future generations to enjoy what we are enjoying now, we should take action now,” he said.
Trash problem
It’s a matter of discipline, Abelarde said, emphasizing that the country’s pollution problem truly lies within itself.
“Alam natin na mali ang pagtapon ng basura, pero bakit ginagawa natin? (We know that throwing garbage is wrong, but why do we do it?)” he said.
On December 18, 2008, the Supreme Court issued SC Mandamus on Manila Bay (G.R. 171947–48), directing 13 government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and restore and maintain its waters to Safe for Bathing (SB) level to make them fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation.
Through the Mandamus, PCG and other government agencies have teamed up to clean the Pasig River, collecting tons of garbage.
But people living near the river simply replenished the garbage dump in the river. “They will throw garbage again, so it’s a cycle; it doesn’t end,” Abelarde said.
Agutayan Island underwater assessment
The PCG-10 has recently conducted an underwater assessment of Agutayan Island in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.
“Unfortunately, before maraming corals doon, maraming giant clams. Unfortunately, due to some siltation, mga quarrying or mga mining na napupunta, dumidiretso sa dagat, may clear manifestation na unsuitable na iresponsableng paggamit ng kalikasan sa ngalan ng negosyo. So, ngayon, medyo decrease na tayo sa giant clams doon, recently, same with coral reefs,” Abelarde said.
(Unfortunately, before there were many corals there, there were many giant clams. Unfortunately, due to some siltation, quarries, or mining that goes to the sea, there is a clear manifestation of the unsuitable and irresponsible use of nature in the name of business. So, very much, we have decreased a bit in giant clams there recently; same with coral reefs)
Abelarde said the number of giant clams on Agutayan Island has decreased alarmingly, from over 40 to nearly five.
Local governments have the most responsibility for enforcement, but they can use the PCG for policy advice and community education.
“Our bodies of water have already been devastated, not only the marine environment but similarly with rivers like the Pasig River and Manila Bay, among others,” he said.
Moving ahead and forward
There is still a spark of hope. One way to help the environment is to have a recycling system in place.
“Dapat kasi na mag-recycle tayo. Ang plastic naman kasi hindi naman siya one-time use, pwede naman natin siya ma-recycle. The problem is pagkatapos natin gamitin, itapon dito, wala na,” he said.
(Yes, we should recycle. The plastic is not just for one-time use; we can recycle it. The problem is that after we use it, throw it here; it’s gone.)
Meanwhile, the ‘Task Force Ingat Yaman Dagat’ aims to utilize the community. However, the PCG-10 emphasized that it will only be effective if everyone works together. (JMOR/PIA-10)
