13.6 tons of garbage collected in Cebu City-wide riverside, coastal cleanup

Tons of garbage were collected during the Cebu City coastal and riverside clean-up on Saturday, March 20. | DSWS Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Coastal Management Task Force (CMTF) collected 13.6 tons of garbage during their third city-wide riverside and coastal cleanup for the year that was held on Saturday, March 20, 2021.

Reymar Hijarra, the CMFT subcommittee chairperson, said that the three-hour cleanup which started at 6 a.m. was participated by 2,700 volunteers.

A simultaneous cleanup was made in 20 rivers and coastal areas including the Mahiga Creek, near the Tejero Bridge, the mouth of the Guadalupe River, the coastal areas of Barangay Pasil, the Bulacao River, and the coastal areas of the South Road Properties (SRP) among others.

Of the 13.6 tons of garbage collected, 70 percent consist of plastic bottles and plastic bags. The bulk of the garbage was collected from the Mahiga Creek and the SRP.

Hijarra said that the Mahiga Creek and the coastal area of the SRP were the most challenging areas to clean because of the presence of garbage deposits there.

Piles of garbage were also found near near the bridges in Pahina Central and the Tisa Elementary School.

Hikarra said they tapped the assistance of their counterparts from the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Talisay for this month’s cleanup.

Some divers also collected garbage in a portion of the Mactan Channel that is located close to the SRP.

In their future activities, they hope to also encourage other localities in Cebu to also organize simultaneous activities in their respective areas.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who spearheaded the city’s riverside and coastal cleanup project, had said in his previous statements that the pandemic should not be a reason for the city government and its residents to stop from caring for the environment.

He said that now is the best time to observe cleanliness as a means to reduce the spread of the infection. / dcb