A river clean-up activity was organized by the Provincial Government of Quezon Province in Brgy. Lita, Tayabas City on April 28, 2023, with support from the local government officials, several concerned communities, and individuals.

Donning gloves and carrying sacks as they went down to the river, the participants were able to pile a vast number of non-biodegradable wastes found along the river, composed of mostly plastics, disposable diapers, and other wastes.

During the event and prior to the clean-up proper, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Tayabas City emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal to the community.

“Napakalaki ng values formation na dapat nating baguhin para sa ating kapaligiran.” CENR Officer Cyril A. Coliflores said. He further stressed that the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 has been in effect for almost twenty (20) years, hence it must have already been inculcated in the mind and heart of every individual. He further added that proper waste disposal is not a lone responsibility of the government, but also of every individual, especially the host communities.

CENRO Tayabas also took the chance to encourage the Local Government Unit in initiating an evaluation of program implementation relative to solid waste management within its jurisdiction and asked everyone to be self-righteous to command the community in taking care of the environment which starts from the households.

The need to raise public awareness and instill a sense of responsibility is another crucial aspect of proper waste disposal that these agencies emphasized. The Provincial Government of Quezon also held an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) lecture following the river clean-up activity.###