Coastal Cleanup Day at LPPCHEA

by UTROS in Philippines
October 19, 2019

UTROS in Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources together with the Las-Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area clean Metro Manila’s only wetland and endangered bird sanctuary last October 19, 2019, Saturday at 7:00 AM. The purpose of this event is to improve environmental sustainability through our environmental services and responsible behavior to prevent global warming and engage people to clean the trash and debris from beaches and waterways.

For those unfamiliar to Las Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area or LPPCHEA, it is a coastal urban wetland and bird sanctuary situated within the metropolis of Metro Manila, it is the sixth Wetland of International Importance in the Philippines. It is a nature reserve of mangroves, ponds, lagoons, mudflats, salt marshes, and mixed beach forest.

This event joined by different schools, companies, and solo joiners. A total of almost 160 people participated and contributed to the cleanup drive at freedom Island of LPPCHEA. Varieties of trash collected were plastics, glass, rubber, pet bottles, woods, etc.

We interviewed some of the participants about the environmental problem we are facing today and knowing that there is a hidden beauty of green space in Metro Manila but full of trash. All of them stated that they are happy to partake of the environmental event and willing to join another cleanup drive in the future to give back and save the environment. Most of them are saddened to saw the reality and evidently out of control trash coming from the sea. Hearing news and neglecting the solution and prevention, they told us it was an eye-opening to them, knowing that they have been part of contributing trash that they are separating and collecting at that time. One of the participants becomes emotional and cried when reminiscing the moments when she can still swim and play at the south part of Manila Bay but seeing it full of unending trash buried on the shore makes her heart broke and devastated.

This problem is only one of the millions that we know the answer but we’re neglecting. The constant cleanup drive can make a huge difference if we work together and stand in real involvement because reality check, Global warming is alarming now and climate change is happening. We must do something within ourselves to save this planet. Reducing the usage of plastics has a huge impact to save the future, only 1 in 5 plastic bottles are recycled. Imagine the tons of plastic usage every day around the world? only on one planet! We have all drunk from a plastic bottle at some point in our lives, but how can we give back? One of the most important parts of dealing with plastics is health effects on humans, animals, and nature. Until when should we realize that we produce things that harm the environment eventually goes to the ocean turns into micro-plastics and eaten by the wonderful creatures under the seas. When will we stop? When we will learn?…

SPECIAL THANKS To DENR-NCR, Las Piñas – Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPCCHEA), Star8 Green Technology Corp, PARDSS Anti Crime Group, Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O), Espiritu Santo Parochial School, NSTP Class of Adamson University, Bloomfield Academy and to Mr. Mark David De Guzman for being our resource speaker and sharing your valuable insights and expertise.

Let’s work together to make an important part and key to change the world; making a place to advance for sustainable development.