LU Coastal Area Preserved through Pagna Pagna para iti Basura
By: Diana E. Jutba, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: GPC-ENRO | Date: January 22, 2021
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) joins the celebration of the National Zero Waste Month through a beach fun walk activity cum coastal clean-up drive dubbed as "Pagna Pagna para iti Basura" in partnership with the Municipality of San Juan on January 22, 2021 along the shorelines of Barangay Ili Sur to Barangay Taboc, San Juan, La Union.
This year marks the 3rd year of Pagna Pagna para iti Basura program of the PGLU. It is a flagship program of Provincial Government – Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) to promote regular clean-up drives in the community.
OIC of PG-ENRO EnP. Annalyn Rosario-Valdez, highlighted the need to minimize the use of single-use plastics as these waste materials have been noted as the biggest contributors of marine pollution resulting to death of many marine mammals and species. She further noted that the Pagna Pagna para iti Basura was launched to create awareness of the waste materials being produced which may ended up in the ocean when not properly managed. This activity also aims to promote regular clean-up drives in the community.
Due to the pandemic, the number of participants were limited. The activity was conducted on five coastal barangays of San Juan, namely Brgy. Taboc, Ili Norte, Ili Sur, Panicsican, and Urbiztondo. About 175 kg of trash were collected composed of styrophors/styrofoam, plastic bags, cigarette buts, and food wrappers. Used disposable face masks also added to the list of frequently found waste materials in the area.
Through the Presidential Proclamation No. 760 dated May 5, 2014, January was declared as National Zero Waste Month to serve as a reminder to be mindful of the waste produced.
