The DENR-CENRO Calauag spearheaded a clean-up drive within the identified waste-polluted areas in Brgy. Sabang Dos, Calauag, Quezon, particularly, a mangrove area and the estuary at the mouth of Pandanan River.

An environmental awareness campaign came after the cleanup activity, primarily aiming to raise the awareness of the Sabang Dos community on proper waste segregation and to encourage them to religiously abide by the existing regulations and laws on sustainable waste management. 

The In-Charge, the Conservation and Development Section of CENRO Calauag, Novet Joy S. Pantalunan expressed her gratitude to the participants for supporting the cleanup activity and encouraged the residents of Brgy. Sabang Dos to participate in the cleanups as they are the prime contributors of solid wastes in the said areas. She also mentioned that the problem on waste buildup must be immediately resolved through proper measures. She reminded the BLGU of Sabang Dos to be strict in implementing the laws related to solid waste management. 

Sabang Dos Brgy. Chairperson, Hon. Manuel I. Manatad expressed his unwavering support to the local and national environmental programs and activities. He mentioned that Sabang Dos implements regular cleanup drive within the barangay’s residential areas every first Saturday of the month through the 4Ps and barangay utility workers who, he said, are regularly maintaining the cleanliness in the barangay.

DENR-CENRO Calauag Principal Information Officer, Cesar S. Arenas Jr. stressed that the idea of “zero waste” is the aim to change the individuals’ and communities’ perceptions towards proper management of waste, promotion of waste diversion, and repurpose of wastes to lessen the waste collected and transferred to sanitary landfills. Calauag MENRO-Designate Isabel M. Luna emphasized that the strive to attain zero waste is a long process. She said cleanups are done not only to show that people are supporting such DENR activities, but to show people the proper way of maintaining cleanliness in the environment and educate them on environmental conservation.

SWEET-EnMo Roane Jane R. Doblois discussed to the participants the salient features of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, including related topics such as the detrimental effects of improper solid waste disposal and management, trend of Earth’s temperature, simplified composting, examples of recyclable products, and the effects of proper waste segregation and management.

CENRO Calauag’s Monitoring and Enforcement Section Chief, Romel David D. Rama expressed his hope that there will be no more future cleanup drive to be organized by the CENRO as the community will already initiate to maintain the cleanliness in their respective areas. The participants from the Barangay LGU of Sabang Dos, 4Ps, MENRO Calauag, and CENRO Calauag, Quezon were able to collect 27 sacks of solid wastes.