The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), led an early morning cleanup activity today (25 May 2019) at Baseco beach and gathered some 1,973 volunteers from the public and youth sectors.
Dubbed as ‘Free Baseco from Marine Debris Clean-up Activity,’ the cleanup covered the one-kilometer stretch of Baseco beach.
Today’s activity served as a follow up from last February’s cleanup on the same area that was also initiated by DENR Assistant Secretary Joan A. Lagunda, D.M. in support to the Manila Bay rehabilitation project.
The following government and non government agencies partnered with the DENR on the cleanup activity: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Manila Bay SUNSET Partnership Program Incorporated, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, National Youth Commission, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Corps, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Public Service – City of Manila, Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan, Reservists from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Sangguniang Kabataan, Youth Leaders, EMB Greenducators, Maynilad, Confederate Sentinels of God, and other civil society groups.
MMDA is the ground commander for Metro Manila in relation to the on-going rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
The clean-up is in line with the observance of the Month of the Ocean (MOO). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 57, declaring May as Month of the Ocean.
MOO is an annual environmental event meant to draw people’s attention to the importance of our coastal and marine resources and the need to protect it from unsustainable fishing practices and resource use.
The theme for this year’s MOO is “Free the Seas from Marine Debris”, to highlight the issue of plastic pollution and its impact on marine wildlife and habitats.
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