The citizens of Puerto Princesa once again warmly supported the relaunch of Save the Puerto Princesa Bays, now in its sixth year, last Jan. 6, at Brgy. Bagong Silang. It also coincides with the program launch led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–the “Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas Program.”
Around 1,717 participants joined the activity, including volunteers from the academe, men in uniform, various barangays, government employees, and private organizations.
Barangay Chief Rene Balacanta also welcomed the challenge to continue cleaning the beach in their area.
City DILG Director Eufracio Forones also emphasized the importance of the activity that comes from the awareness of every citizen and leader in the barangay, municipality, and city that cleanliness is vital in the community, especially in saving the ocean.
He shared that a large percentage of the waste in the ocean comes from the Philippines, so it is a challenge for Filipinos to save and clean it.
“We are also lucky in Puerto Princesa because our mayor already has an initiative for this, and we are becoming consistent in our goal to keep the beach clean,” he said.
Aside from Save the Puerto Princesa Bays, Bayron also wanted to show support for the DILG. Hence, the sixth episode was special to give way to what the department mandated.
“It is important for us to maintain cleanliness, and I am happy to see your warm support in our work to clean our coastal areas. I always say that it is not possible for the mayor to do it alone, but we need the help and unity of every citizen, so thank you for always being there,” Bayron said.
The Save the Puerto Princesa Bays Campaign hauled more than 109 tons or the equivalent of 98,905 kilograms of trash. From Brgy. Bagong Sikat 39,050 kilos of garbage; 32,280 kilos from Brgy. Bagong Silang; 15,735 kilos are from Brgy. Pagkakaisa; 5,120 in Brgy. Mandaragat; 3,145 in Irawan/Sandiwa Tiniguiban; 2, 935 in Tagburos Beach; Sta. Lourdes (Honda Bay) 545 kilos; and Brgy. San Jose, 95 kilos.