Umabot sa kabuuang 352,479 kilo ng basura at debris ang nakolekta sa isinagawang nationwide coastal cleanup drive ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) nitong Sabado, Setyembre 21, bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Nilahukan ito ng 74,075 volunteers mula sa 1,913 government, academe, at private sector organizations sa bansa.
Higit itong mataas kumpara sa 35,000 volunteers na nakiisa sa parehong pagdiriwang noong nakaraan taon dahilan para malampasan ng bansa ang rekord nito sa International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).
“With the ICC 2024 theme, ‘Clean Seas for Blue Economy’, this year’s cleanup not only aimed to address immediate pollution but also sought to inspire long-term behavioral changes among communities, encouraging everyone to reduce waste and participate in ongoing clean-up initiatives,” saad ni DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.
Dadalhin ang mga nakolektang basura na maaari pang i-recycle sa pinakamalapit na Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) upang mapakibangan.
Ito na ang ika-30 taong pakikiisa ng Pilipinas sa ICC kung saan muling pinagtibay ni DENR Sec. Loyzaga ang pangako ng bansa na pag-iingat sa coastal resources at pagsulong ng mga hakbang upang mapangalagaan ang marine ecosystems.
“By becoming stewards of our ecosystems and natural resources, we can ensure a healthier environment for current and future generations. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in protecting our precious marine environments,” saad nito.
