Locals of Puerto Princesa participate in the recent ‘scoop basura’ as one of the activities of ‘Save the Puerto Princesa Bays’ in Palawan on September 9, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Puerto Princesa City Information Office)
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — A total of 212.66 tons of garbage was collected in the four episodes of the Puerto Princesa City Government’s ‘Save the Bays’ program of which 4.1 tons were collected in Brgy. Mandaragat, 53.1 tons in Brgy. Bagong Silang, 59.2 tons in Brgy. Pagkakaisa and 96.26 in Brgy. Bagong Sikat.
Based on the data of the Solid Waste Management Office and Oplan Linis Program, more than 4,575 trash bins or 63 truckloads of trash were collected by those who participated in the ‘Scoop Basura’ competition which is one of the activities of the program.
A coastal cleanup was also conducted as led by Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron along with the city government staff, non-government organizations and other agencies that showed their support for the city’s environmental program.
According to Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, this is a big reduction in the garbage piled up on the city’s beach, particularly in Brgy. Bagong Sikat where the said program was last conducted on September 9.
“Nakikita natin na maliban sa ginagawa nating pagsasalba sa ating karagatan ay napapansin na rin ng buong mundo itong ginagawa natin para sa kalikasan,” Bayron said in his message.
Ms. Earth Philippines 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana graces the event with a talk on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) during the 4th episode of ‘Save the Puerto Princesa Bays’ in Palawan on September 9, 2023. (Photo by Puerto Princesa City Information Office)
Reigning Ms. Earth Philippines 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana also graced the event. Aduana conducted her talk on SDG 14-Life below Water.
“We have to preserve and protect our environment, most especially our seas or oceans because we, humans, are part of this biodiversity. If we will not do our part to make our marine life protected, sino po ang aasahan natin?” said Aduana.
The environmental program aims to save the city’s shores from pollution and is also centered on the 14th category of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)– the “Life Below Water” which is the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations.
The garbage collected were transported to the Puerto Princesa Landfill site where it will undergo proper segregation and sorting. Non-biodegradable materials are separated from biodegradable ones, ensuring optimal recycling potential. The biodegradable waste is further processed through composting methods to produce organic fertilizer that can be utilized for agricultural purposes. Meanwhile, non-biodegradable materials like plastics and metals are sent for proper recycling or disposal.
The city government will continue to implement this program in other barangays to completely save the city’s beaches from pollution. (OCJ/GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
