By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte—To mark the end of plastic free July campaign, resort owners in this town called on volunteers to join a beach clean-up activity on July 28, 2018.
In a public statement, organizers said they will conduct a morning walk and clean-up drive at Saud beach here.
They added the Habagat (monsoon) winds over the past few weeks may had blown debris and plastic wastes in the shoreline which needed to be removed particularly on the northern end of the cove.
Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc proposed a “plastic-free” Ilocos Norte in a Dept. of Environment Natural Resources event.
“Our province turned 200 years old this year. In this new century, let us turn over a new, greener leaf,” urged Mr. Manotoc at the 31st Founding Anniversary Culmination Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on July 6, 2018 at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Laoag City.
The program featured the theme, “Beat the Plastic Pollution: If You Can’t Reuse It, Refuse It!”
Addressing the audience of DENR officials, Mr. Manotoc admitted his growing awareness of plastic pollution, saying, “It made me realize: I can’t stand up here and tell you to stop using plastic if I myself use it. I am very grateful to the DENR for reminding us because we are already seeing the damage of single-use plastic,” he added.
Thus, Mr. Manotoc proposed solutions in minimizing plastic pollution, particularly through buying locally-made bamboo straws, which would also be a way to support Ilocano entrepreneurs.
He further stated his commitment to a “plastic-free” Ilocos Norte through proposing a provincial anti-plastic ordinance:
“It is high time that we look into passing our provincial anti-plastic ordinance, supporting and spreading our local solutions.”
Mr. Manotoc also acknowledged the initiatives of different Ilocos Norte-based environmental groups for conducting clean-up drives.
“Together, we can make Ilocos Norte truly livable, sustainable, and a greener province,” Manotoc encouraged.
In 2016, Provincial Resolution No. 17 had already declared the province to be “clean, green, and coal-free.” (With a report from Edison Justin B. Deus)