SAMAL, Bataan — A big number of people trooped to the rivers and mangrove and coastal areas of this town to join in the observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday.
Equipped with walis tingting, empty sacks and other cleaning tools, the participants divided into clusters early in the morning cleared of trash the areas where they were assigned. Each cluster carried a big streamer that says “Fighting for Trash-free Seas”.
Mayor Alex Acuzar and Vice-Mayor Ronnie Ortiguerra led in the cleanup participated by employees in all departments of the local government and representatives from national government agencies, sangguniang bayan members, barangay officials, and volunteers from different organizations.
Raphael Naty of the Samal Public Information Office said that more than 2,000 participated and even representatives from Charoen Phokphand Foods Philippines Corp. and civil society organizations joined the affair.
The mayor thanked the volunteers for participating in the endeavor. He was so proud of the volunteerism displayed especially when informed that Samal was second to Mariveles in having the highest number of attendees in the cleanup in the whole province.
“Dapat araw-arawin natin ang paglilinis ng ating paligid upang maiwasan ang mga sakit at sakuna,” Acuzar said.
In villages like Sta. Lucia, barangay health workers, tanod, members of the barangay council, beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Scholar ng Samal and other volunteers joined the activity.
Assorted trash was sacked and loaded in bancas.
Rural health midwife Lolita Poblete said employees of the rural health unit under the municipal health office participated in the cleaning of litter in the coastal area and even on mangroves.
Mangroves serve as natural barrier of communities against turbulent waves and rough seas and act as breeding places for fish and other marine products like shells.
Samal is known for delicious green mussels and oysters. Its sea is also a rich source of capiz shells used in decorative items like attractive Christmas lanterns.
