World Ocean Day Cleanup collects 52 sacks of beach litter

In a statement, the City ENRO said that plastics and other disposable single-use items are among the most common beach litters.

“Over fifty-two (52) sacks were filled with marine/beach litter and amassed with a total weight of ???????????? Kg. Most of the collected plastics were PET bottles, plastic sachets, fishing gears, and fragments of plastic films. Glass bottles, cigarette butts, and single-use (disposable) spoons and forks were also collected during the cleanup–???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????,” the City ENRO explained.

Some 120 attendees engaged in the said environmental endeavor. Participating groups were from the Palawan State University-University Research Office (PSU-URO), the PSU Environmental Science Student Association (ESSA), the Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trades (PPSAT), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the members of Project Zacchaeus Cooperative (PZC)- Eco-Kolek, uniformed personnel from Philippine Coast Guard–Palawan District and Philippine National Police, the City Information Department of Puerto Princesa, and the Office of the City ENRO.

The First Secretary and the Official Development Aid (ODA) Focal Person of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, Ms. Jeoung Bin Lee, and other PEMSEA officials graced the event. Also present were PEMSEA Regional Project Manager, Dr. Won-Tae Shin, Technical Advisor Ms. Jessie Lee, and personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Central Office and MIMAROPA Regional Office.

Puerto Princesa City is among the project sites for PEMSEA on reducing marine plastics. It is one of the six pilot project sites along with the municipality of Bulan in Sorsogon, Calbayog City in Western Samar, Municipality of Daanbantayan in Cebu, Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte, and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur. This project aims to improve local governance on marine plastic management, demonstrate best practices and strengthen capacity and awareness.

This year’s World Ocean Day theme, “????????????????????????: ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ????????”, underscores the significance of our collective efforts in keeping our coastal areas clean and healthy.

“This calls for diving into the depths of one of our current borderless issues; marine litter and microplastic pollution. As stewards of God’s wonderful creation, let’s be mindful of our actions while visiting and exploring the natural wonders in our environment. Practice proper waste management and disposal—leaving only footprints, and taking only memories on our visit. Thus, helping to conserve our rich marine resources and further preserve the blue planet—our Oceans,” the City ENRO said.