TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) — An orchestrated cleanup of all adopted water bodies in the region will be observed on Sept 21 in observance of the annual International Cleanup Day pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 470, Series of 2003.
It will be a simultaneous cleanup nationwide according to Maribel Munsayac, chief Environmental, Education and Information Section of Environment and Management Bureau.
In Tacloban City, it will be in Mangon-Bangon River, Burayan River and Mahayahay Creek.
These water bodies have been adopted by partners and cared for by the host communities.
The cleanup will start at 7 A.M. and at 9 A.M. to be followed by a short program to be highlighted by the commitment signing for the sponsors and stakeholders at Barangay 44 in San Jose.
The community will be mobilized during the event.
The Rotary Club of Kandaya headed by its President Caroline Lee Andrade is one of the adopters in Tacloban City.
The others are Mercy Hospital, Divine Word Hospital, McCarol Ventures, Petron, Shell Corportion, Leyte Normal University, Volunteer for the Visayas, Couples for Christ-Handmaids of the Lord and Geodetic Engineers Association of the Philippines.
Munsayac said, their agency is willing to accept more adopters of this program.
“It will be a surface cleanup and if there are interventions like dredging, it will be acted by the adopters,” Munsayac said.
Maintaining cleanliness in our esteros and water bodies is for our own welfare especially for the health and well-being of those living in those communities, said Munsayac.
Regionwide there are 21 water bodies already adopted by 34 adopters from various organizations including local government units, academe, private industries and other organizations.
Recently there have been significant improvements in the quality of adopted water bodies as a result of cleanup activities with the host communities and massive information and education campaigns conducted by the agency.
This year’s celebration has for its theme “Bayanihan para sa Malinis na Karagatan.”