The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here, along with partner agencies and volunteers, recently embarked on a massive cleanup drive and collected over 1,860 sacks of wastes in an effort to avert trash from potentially polluting the region’s waterways and coastlines.

DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno, Jr. reported that during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day on September 17, about 2,880 personnel of local government units, academe and private organizations joined the DENR in cleaning the coastlines of Barangay Pag-asa in Bagac, Mt. View in Mariveles, Kabalutan in Orani, and Orion, Bataan; Barangay Santa Monica, Sta. Lucia, San Pedro, and San Antonio in Sasmuan, Pampanga; and Barangay Bolitoc in Sta. Cruz and Baloganon in Masinloc, Zambales.

Participants also cleaned Bangkal creek along Barangay San Nicolas and San Roque in Bamban, Tarlac.

“Small actions, when collectively done, create a significant impact. As we are all stakeholders in keeping our environment healthy and trash-free, we continuously encourage communities to practice proper waste segregation and participate in our efforts to conserve the habitat of our marine biodiversity,” Moreno urged.

The DENR continues to conduct cleanup activities in support of the National Cleanup Month this September.

This year’s observance of the ICC Day bears the theme “Fighting for Trash-Free Sea: Pilipinas Ending the Flow of Trash at the Source,” which advocates for proper waste management at home.

Proclamation No. 470 in 2003 declares the third Saturday of September each year as the ICC Day, which is simultaneously done by other nations worldwide. (-30-)