Armed with gloves and disposal bags, personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office and National Capital Region (NCR) participated in a clean-up drive along the stretch of Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on Friday, Sept. 22, in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2023.
DPWH Environmental and Social Safeguards Division Chief Rosemarie B. del Rosario, representing DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, spearheaded the cleanup activity in Manila.
This year's ICC carried the theme "Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries", reflecting the “collective commitment to preserving the coastal ecosystems for the prosperity of marine life and coastal communities,” the DPWH said.
A total of 80 sacks of waste were collected by the DPWH including single-use wrappers, bottles, sachets, washed-out water hyacinths, and tree branches.
The initiative to celebrate the ICC was launched by Presidential Proclamation No. 470, Series of 2003 to reinforce the importance of coastal conservation. (Trixee Rosel)