NAMRIA participated in the coastal clean-ups held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), Zambales and Balanga, Bataan on 15 and 16 September 2023, respectively. The agency also led the 2023 International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day in Parañaque City on 16 September 2023. The trash collected by the volunteers and various stakeholders will be segregated and recorded to further study the extent of pollution along the coast and on the bay. Around 600 volunteers joined the coastal clean-up events.

 

The conduct of the coastal clean-ups was in compliance with Malacañang Proclamation No. 470, Series of 2003, declaring every third Saturday of September of each year as ICC Day. The activity was in support of the DENR commitment for effective solid waste management practices and a circular economy wherein all plastics are reused, recycled, repurposed, and responsibly managed. This year's ICC theme was Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries, which was in line with the United Nations Ocean Decade Challenge 3 to "Sustainably Feed the Global Population." The activity was spearheaded by the DENR Central Office, with its officials and other DENR offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region 3. The coastal clean-ups were held simultaneously in 11 coastal areas along Manila Bay.

 

NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD headed the agency's officials and employees during the coastal clean-up at the back of Solaire Resort, Barangay Tambo in Parañaque City on 16 September 2023. NAMRIA was joined by volunteers from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health-NCR, Department of the Interior and Local Government-BarKaDa (Barangay at Kalinisan Day) Program, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau-NCR; partners from Solaire Resort Entertainment City; Aseana Business Park Estate Association, Incorporated; Barangay Tambo, Local Government Unit-Parañaque City; Organizations of Parañaque Academe; YES-O Lakan Dula High School; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Taguig City; Senator Crewing Manila, Inc.; AMCOR; Sikat Baclaran Eagles Club, and other youth partners.

 

Administrator Tiangco delivers his advocacy message to the clean-up volunteers at the compound of Solaire Resort, Parañaque City. —VENER QUINTIN C. TAGUBA, JR.