The third edition of the “Scoop Basura” competition was held at the Cruise Port of Barangay Pagkakaisa on Saturday, August 26, as part of the third episode of the “Save the Puerto Princesa Bays” initiative. Various government agencies, uniformed personnel, and community sectors participated in this event aimed at environmental conservation.
A total of 18 groups competed in the “Barangay” category, eight groups of students from different city schools joined the “Academe” category, and nine groups from different agencies participated in the “Men in Uniform” category.
Each group, consisting of up to 20 members, brought their own cleaning materials. To qualify as an official participant and have a chance to win prizes, each group needed to fill at least ten trash bins. Groups that failed to meet this requirement were considered disqualified.
Participants were given three hours to collect trash from households and water bodies surrounding the barangay. Each group devised its own strategies to fill the trash bins and gather garbage.
In the end, the group from Purok Mameng emerged as winners in the Barangay category, having collected 210 trash bins. Team Kabataan secured the second spot with 168 trash bins, while the Vendita group claimed third place with 98 bins filled with waste.
In the Academe category, Palawan National School garnered victory by collecting 55 trash bins, followed by Palawan State University – Marine Biology Society with 30 bins full of garbage.
An intense competition unfolded between the Philippine National Police Maritime Group and the Bureau of Fire Protection, both collecting 83 trash bins. They were declared joint winners. The 3rd Marine Brigade followed closely with 67 bins filled with waste.
Apart from the “Scoop Basura” Version 2.0 competition, a mudball throwing activity was organized on the shores of Barangay Pagkakaisa. These mudballs contained Effective Microorganisms (EM) that control ammonia levels and waterborne pollutants.
The “Save the Puerto Princesa Bays” initiative is the brainchild of Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, aiming to beautify the city’s landscape, boost tourism, and restore the pristine waters of Puerto Princesa for future generations.