Catmon coastal cleanup nets mostly plastics

Volunteers carrying sacks and sticks flocked to the coastline of barangay Flores in Catmon town, northern Cebu last Sept. 19 to mark the observance of the 30th International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) officer Chad Estella and Catmon Mayor Dan Jusay led some 350 volunteers from government agencies, private companies, non-government organizations and concerned citizens from the nearby barangays during the activity.
The huge bulk of trash collected by the volunteers were mostly plastic bags and wrappers, according to Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer Loida Aroma.
Mayor Jusay said they were planning to add another garbage compactor unit for the municipality.
“We finished our 10-year solid waste management plan and were able to send it to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). We have started our Materials Recovery Facility and hopefully with the continuous help of the Capitol and the DENR, we will have it on time,” Jusay said.
“We are very happy to help and raise awareness through this activity. We are committed to support every similar activity,” said Zaldy Rodrigo, team leader of 7D Food International.
“ We are committed to cleaning our schools, cemeteries and shorelines,” said Bernadette Patingo, Pantawid team leader of barangay Corazon,.
“Ginagmay lang kung tan-awon ang mga basura apan daghan diay kaayo kung matapok na. Nanghinaot mi nga ang pagpanglimpyo dili lang matapos karong adlawa (The trash looks small but when it accumulates, its a big pile. We hope the cleanup efforts will not just end today),” said Estella.
The organizers recorded the total weight of the garbage collected.
The results were included in the waste management plan and policies for the town.