The DENR CENRO Lipa through the Manila Bay Site Coordinating Management Office (MBSCMO) - Batangas conducted river clean-up activity along San Juan River, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas on September 17, 2021 and participated in the coastal clean-up activity along the coastline of Anilao Port, Mabini, Batangas on September 18, 2021 through the Conservation and Development Section. The clean-up activities were conducted in support and observance of the 2021 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day and in continuation to the adherence to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) with the message, “The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want” and with the theme “Understand and Beat Marine Pollution”.

Highlighted during the program on September 17, 2021, are the activities and projects being done for the rehabilitation of San Juan River are to complement the efforts for the Manila Bay Rehabilitation. Taking full advantage of the activity, the functions of the DENR specifically in forest land use planning, environmental law enforcement, free patents and land titling, and permit issuances were discoursed. An Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign about the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day and proper Solid Waste Management, as well as brief discussion on how to fill out the Volunteer Ocean Trash Data Form was also conversed

River clean-up activity was participated by representatives from Brgy. San Vicente, Sto. Tomas City and Tigrilios Guardians of Truth International Inc. (TGTII)- Masigasig Lumina Chapter. Fifty sacks of non-biodegradable and residual wastes weighing approximately 750 kilograms were collected in the 200 meters stretch in both sides of the portion of San Juan River.

Coastal clean-up activity in Mabini, Batangas was participated by volunteers and representatives from Philippine National Police (PNP)-Mabini, Soroptimist International-Mabini Chapter, Joint Commission International (JCI), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and staff from Municipal Tourism Office and Municipal Agriculture Office. The activity was undertaken along the coastline of Anilao Port and trash collected weighed approximately 20.25 kilograms were collected on the area which were mainly composed of food wrappers, plastic bags, fishing lines and foams. Underwater clean-up or SCUBAsurero was conducted in Secret Garden Dive Site located in Brgy. Mainit, Mabini, Batangas and was participated by volunteer divers. They were able to collect an approximate 300 kilograms of trash composed mainly of cloths, sacks, fishing lines, plastic bags and food wrappers.

The said clean-up activities aimed to address the effects of water pollution to health and sanitation and to strengthen the existing DENR partnership with the different agencies and organizations for the effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and policies for the rehabilitation of the San Juan River and for the conservation of coastal and marine resources.

Please be informed that all precautionary measures and safety protocols re: COVID-19 threat were properly practiced and observed during the activity. ###