Giving back to Mother Earth: PCSO hand in hand with Philippine Navy, DENR for Coastal Clean Up

Marine pollution as we know but mostly do not really pay attention to, is any human-made solid material that is disposed of or abandoned on coast, bay, beaches, in waterways that lead to the ocean, or in the ocean itself, regardless of whether disposal act is intentional, unintentional, indirect or direct. It is one of the global concerns that many of NGO (non-government organization) units and government initiatives are addressing.

Some of the bad results of marine pollution cause marine mammals and fish can mistake floating trash for food; if ingested, it can choke them or block their digestive systems. Trash congested bays make the waters dirty. Large debris, such as old fishing nets and gears, can harm or worse kill marine life by strangulation or prevent them from performing vital activities such as swimming or diving. Plastic trash smaller than 5mm (microplastic) poses an additional threat because it adsorbs toxic chemicals, including DDT and PCBs, which can cause cancers, weaken the immune system and make animals more susceptible to diseases and other infections.

A very good initiative to be part of the solution of this pressing global issue was led by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) together with Philippine Navy (PN) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on 17^th of December 2018 at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), a nature reserve situated south of Manila Bay.

There were more than 100 volunteers from PCSO, PN and DENR seen on the Freedom Trail at LPPCHEA, performing team work clearing up plastic bottles, plastic residues, and other non-biodegradable waste materials, including PCSO General Manager Alexander F. Balutan and his Chief of Staff, Col. Raymundo Liwag together with Grp. Comm. Col. Nestor R. Marcelino PN (MNSA), Co, CMOU-NCR Lcdn Ronald U. Lim PN and DENR Representative, Ruben Navales.

During the event opening, PCSO GM Balutan noted in his speech: “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nandito na gumising ng napakaaga para makiisa. This is a very nice endeavor and very impactful. This activitiy will be reaped by our citizens long term. We start small, little by little we will get there together,” Balutan noted. “When everybody’s sitting, you should be standing. When everybody’s standing, you should stand out. When everybody’s outstanding you should be the standard.” He concluded, talking about doing something for the community, no matter who you are.

As PCSO’s Corporate Social Responsibility, the Coastal Clean-up is conducted by the agency every year to show that more than helping the millions of Filipinos needing medical assistance, PCSO also helps Mother Earth.

According to DENR Representative Ruben Navales, there are currently 82 species of birds in coastal bay area and they are preserving and hoping that there would be increase as the coastal clears.

Grp. Comm. Col Nestor R. Marcelino PN (MNSA) from Philippine Navy in a statement : “Nagpapasalamat kami sa PCSO para sa mga ganitong inisyatibo enjoining Philippine Navy. Kung hindi natin sama samang poprotektahan ang kalikasan ngayon, the next generation will suffer.”/PN