Samar town rids sea of plastics

PINABACDAO, Samar, June 2-- The town of Pinacbadao has intensified their efforts to rid their coastal areas of all forms of plastic.

Mayor Teodorico Mabag said officials and residents in 24 villages were actively involved in their monthly clean-up drive as part of environmental protection efforts.

“Cleaning up is a big challenge considering the volume of accumulated plastic waste for decades,” Mabag said.

“People should be aware that the waste dumped upland could all end up in the sea. The environmental concern is getting worse and we have to work hard to curb the problem,” he added.

Other than coastal clean-up, the town is also strict in implementing measures to reduce plastic use, according to Mabag. The 4th class town, which is 46 kilometers from Tacloban City, is a home to more than 18,000 people.

“We told store owners to stop selling water in single use bottles, stop using plastic straw for drinking and reuse plastic bags,” the mayor told PNA on Friday. 

While legislation is vital, change in individual habits is more important to see real improvement, according to the official.

The local government has been stepping up ocean protection efforts ahead of Environment Month celebration every June of the year. 

The month of June of each year is declared as the Philippine Environment Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 237 signed in 1998 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

This year’s theme is “Green Economy: Does It Include You?” which emphasizes the need of the communities to shift into more environment-friendly, low-carbon and resource-efficient approach such as using bio-degradable products and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals.(Jazmin Bonifacio/PNA)