Non biodegradable wastes proliferate in coastal areas

The employees of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources – Iloilo joined the coastal clean up last September 17, 2005 together with students and staff of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation. The group were able to gather 40 kilos of wastes composed of plastics, soft drink cans, straws, candy and junkfood wrappers. This collection is an indication that communities living in our coastal areas had not yet internalized sanitation and the importance of the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Program of the government.

ESWM Act otherwise known as RA 9003 is the first law signed by Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after she took her oath as the elected President of the Philippines. The mandate to implement the law was embedded in the new local Government Code and is the responsibility of the local government. When we refer to the local government, this includes the barangay officials who are the front liners in implementing the mandates of the national government.

The fact that about 40 kilograms of non-biodegradable was gathered by the participants in the clean-up at the coastal area of Villa, Arevalo, Iloilo City speaks of the non- compliance of barangay officials to impart to their constituents their responsibilities. It was also gathered from observations that there are piggeries along the coastal areas where water discharges due to washing of their pigsties are being flowed into the sea.

The once clean beaches, the pride of Iloilo is now the biggest toilet and dumpsite of people in the coastal barangays.  Sad to say, if the people of Iloilo had only preserved the cleanliness of these beaches, we could compete with the worlds most beautiful beaches within the heart of the city.

The yearly Coastal Clean-up should be spearheaded by the barangays. Those other participants should only be assistants not the actual cleaner. For who will benefit from those clean beaches?

While the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other participants to the clean up are consistently cleaning the coastal areas of Villa and Molo, the residents in these areas should not wait for this event to clean their surroundings. After all cleaning your surroundings should always be a way of life.

One of the reasons why beach resorts in these areas are no longer attractive is because it is no longer safe for bathing. This activity is only an awakening.  (penro-iloilo)