The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bicol (DENR-5) said 101 sacks of solid waste weighing 349.1 kilograms were collected by volunteers during the World Oceans Day (WOD) clean-up along the shorelines of Barangays Dapdap and Puro in this city on Friday.

The collected garbage consisted of cigarette butts, plastic cups, food and candy wrappers, boxes, bottles, bottle caps, clothing, condoms, diapers, slippers, face masks, toy plushies, and parts of appliances.

The participants included employees of the city government and various agencies, and residents of the two villages.

In her message during the event, DENR Bicol Assistant Regional Director for Special Concerns (ARD-SC) Adona P. San Diego highlighted the importance of coastal cleanup activities as part of environmental preservation efforts.

“These efforts have grown over the years, not just because of DENR, but also because of the active participation of many sectors. This has also increased public awareness about the environment. It is important to keep educating and involving the community to ensure a sustainable future for our oceans,” San Diego said.

She reiterated the call for local government units and communities to actively engage in the government’s activities to preserve the environment.

She also said environmental initiatives, especially coastal cleanups, have seen participation from various sectors over the years, resulting in increased environmental awareness among the public.

Meanwhile, in a statement, DENR-Bicol Regional Executive Director (RED) Francisco E. Milla Jr. encouraged the public to be active and supportive of activities that help protect and conserve the environment.

“Activities like these are our own ways of protecting and conserving our coastal and marine resources. Let us join hands and take steps to protect and restore our oceans and biodiversity,” he said.

The WOD in the Bicol region with the theme “Awaken New Depths” was led by the DENR-Bicol, together with its field offices, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), in partnership with the local government unit, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and SM City Legazpi.

During the WOD observance last year, a total of 838 kilograms of waste were collected along the coastal barangays of Rawis and Arimbay in Legazpi City. (PNA)