DENR-PENRO Davao de Oro leads Coastal Clean-up Drive for healthy fisheries and clean seas

DAVAO DE ORO – In a bid to promote healthy fisheries and raise public awareness about the importance of coastal cleanliness, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Davao de Oro spearheaded a coastal clean-up drive in collaboration with the Mabini Protected Area Beach Resorts Owners Association (MAPABROA) and local volunteers. This initiative coincided with the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day, as mandated by Presidential Proclamation 470 series of 2003, which designates the third Saturday of September each year as ICC Day.

The event, held on September 16, 2023, saw a dedicated team comprising DENR-PENRO Davao de Oro and the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of Mabini Protected Landscape and Seascape (MPLS) personnel. Their collective goal was to inspire individuals to remove litter and debris from the coastline, promoting behavioral changes to combat water and air pollution and increasing awareness of the marine debris issue.

Taking place in Barangay Tagnanan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, the clean-up effort was joined by 30 enthusiastic volunteers. Together, they collected a remarkable total of twenty sacks of trash, amounting to 110 kilograms. Among the litter gathered, common items included plastic cups, food wrappers, footwear, plastic bottles, and glass beverage bottles.

Following the successful clean-up, MPLS-PAMO staff took the opportunity to educate the local community and volunteers about the far-reaching benefits of beach shoreline preservation. By maintaining the cleanliness of these coastal areas, they help safeguard and enhance the health of coastal and marine ecosystems.

The collaborative effort between government agencies, local organizations, and volunteers underscores the importance of collective action in preserving our environment. The DENR-PENRO Davao de Oro and MAPABROA, together with their dedicated volunteers, are setting an inspiring example of community engagement and environmental stewardship. As they look forward to future initiatives, they aim to continue raising awareness and promoting the conservation of our precious coastal resources.

• Next