Currimao, Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, with the Municipal
Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) leading, in cooperation with the
Sirib Ilocano Kabataan Association (SIKA) Inc. conducted an emergency coastal
clean-up on May 6, 2018.
The clean-up stemmed from social media posts that went viral, showing a
large volume of plastic wastes floating along the Pangil Rock Formation here.
Complaints reached the local government here on May 5, 2018, with regards
to an unusual volume of garbage found along the shores of Barangay Pangil. Several
people posted photos of waste materials at the Pangil rock formation in a
social media site.
Currimao mayor Gladys G. Cue reassured that upon receipt of the report, the
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) acted accordingly.
She reminded the public that they are implementing measures to maintain the
cleanliness of the rock formation. She said they are imposing penalties and
fines to offenders, particularly in illegal disposal of plastic waste.
Considered an iconic Eco-tourism site in Ilocos Norte, the Pangil rock
formation is one of the most visited tourist attractions, and one of the first
destinations for both local and foreign tourists.
Mrs. Cue plans to conduct a regular clean-up drive starting this month to
monitor the garbage influx and avoid improper disposal.
She explained that the accumulated garbage came from areas outside her town,
“Talagang hindi galing yung mga basura
dito sa Currimao. Alam naman natin
ang volume ng basura natin at
nakokolekta naman lahat ang mga ito. Kaya naman, imposibleng makaipon ng
ganoong kadaming basura.”
According to Currimao MENRO, days before the incident, a fisherfolk saw a
30 to 40 meters wide bulk of plastic wastes in the high seas.
Mrs. Cue believed that it has been long floating in the sea, “Pinag-uusapan pa namin ng MENRO. May lumot na, kaya naisip naming matagal
nang nasa dagat yung mga basura. Dala siguro ng hangin at noong kamakailang
pag-ulan.
“Yung iba, kumpol-kumpol. Yung iba
nakalagay sa plastic bag na malalaki.
Hindi natin alam kung may barkong nagtapon sa mga basurang ito,” she added.
Mrs. Cue conducted a meeting with the members of Philippine Coastguard and
Philippine National Police-Maritime based in Currimao, SIKA members in
Currimao, and the barangay officials of Barangay Pangil, to reinforce task
force ‘bantay dagat” and continuous mitigation measures. (PGIN-CMO)
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