The City Government of Puerto Princesa through the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources together with partner civic organizations held the 4th Mudball Run at the Baywalk coinciding with the World Clean Up Day and International Coastal Clean-up on September 19, 2020, in an effort to restore the quality of the City’s coastal waters.
Joining were members of Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa and Rotary Club Central headed by Lolita Linda Moraga and Augusto Maceda respectively, Commodore Marita Abadilla, Director, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary-Palawan, Palawan Geographic Society (PGS) led by Febriza Adem.
Also present were Punong Barangay Josefina Ave of Seaside-San Isidro, Punong Barangay Malou Tatlong Hari of Tagumpay and Punong Barangay Nicolas Leni of Bagong Pag-asa.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Puerto Princesa City, Atty. Carlo B. Gomez, said the City ENRO and partner i-Tree teams conduct bioremediation action in coastal area through mudballs.
He also intimated that this is their Story Beyond Trees, iTree Team and Partners’ action off the regular tree assessment, a mainstay project of the City ENRO supported by US Forest Service and United States Agency for International Development -Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (USAID-SURGE).
Last year, Atty. Gomez announced during the 3rd Mudball Run and International Coastal Cleanup on September 21, 2019, at the city baywalk that it will continue the bioremediation of coastal area with the use of effective microorganism (EM) mudballs. Bioremediation comes from the word “bio” which means “life” and “remediation”, which means “to fix or to restore.”
Mudball is a low-cost technology on wastewater treatment intended to clean bodies of water using EM-1 (Effective Microorganisms-1), a microbial inoculant that encourages the growth of beneficial microbes. It is made of dried mud, EM solution, rice bran and tap water.
As these beneficial microbes grow in numbers and increase their capabilities to bio-remediate water, soil and waste materials therefore fixing and restoring the water bodies’ state and quality.
Atty. Gomez said that by continuously applying mudballs to coastal waters will allow self-healing and help in sustaining the health of our water bodies, especially the coastal areas.
He explained that based on the literature published in Japan, where the EM mudballs originated from, the portion of their coast’s water quality has improved after the application of mudballs for 11 years straight.
He urged the public to become more aware in protecting and conserving our environment, and start doing this at home.
“Simulan natin sa mga bahay natin at sana ay maging responsible po tayo sa pagtatapon, lalo na ng mga wastewater,” Atty. Gomez reminded.
He stressed also that Senior Environmental Management Specialist Mary Ann Joylle M. Madriñan said that in 2016 they started applying mudballs in Barangay Matahimik where families informally settled. Their office observed and based on the testimonies of the residents, after the application of EM mudballs, the population of mosquitos has significantly reduced.
Madriñan said that some 8,000 pieces EM mudballs were prepared for the activity, while the City ENRO also considers holding similar activity in Honda Bay, specifically in Barangay Sta. Lourdes.