Carmen Copper engages community in environmental protection

Members of the Hugpong Cantabacoanon Para sa Kinaiyahan of Barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City participated in Carmen Copper’s Linis Estero Program held last February 23. /Contributed Photo

TOLEDO CITY, Philippines — Wanting to mitigate flooding and protect the Cantabaco River from pollution, Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) engaged community members to help maintain cleanliness of their waterways through a Linis Estero activity held last February 23 and participated by 88 volunteers from Barangay Cantabaco.

Together with Carmen Copper employees, the team collected at least 434.5 kilos of wastes from the Cantabaco River. Of the garbage collected, 68 percent were non-biodegradables while the remaining 32 percent were biodegradables.  It was the first river clean up held in the barangay this year.

Carmen Copper assisted people’s organization, Hugpong Cantabacoanon para sa Kinaiyahan (HCK), in mobilizing 64 their members to spearhead the clean up drive.

The Linis Estero Program aims to raise awareness on environmental protection and conservation. It is also a call to action against the improper disposal of wastes that pollutes the rivers and waterways that is now threatening the community’s water sources.

During a brief program, Carmen Copper recognized HCK for its commitment to protect and nurture the environment through the company’s Adopt-an-Estero Program. A certificate of recognition was awarded to HCK through its President Alejandro Cantalejo.

Carmen Copper also donated 20 steel drums to Barangay Cantabaco for use as garbage bins for their waste segregation program that is in compliance with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Meanwhile, Carmen Copper also sent volunteer employees to participate during the Simultaneous River Cleanup in Luyang, Carmen held on February 22.  The activity generated 5,180 kilos of garbage./dcb