JP ecological team to deal with Parang beach pollution

       A typical scene at Parang beach … plastic bags are the most common waste pollutant 

       along the beach. – MWBuzzpic by ARNEL P HERNANDEZ

By PERCY A OSTONAL

MWBuzz Correspondent-at-large

THE ecological team of the mayor’s office in Jose Panganiban is taking initiatives on how to address the environmental issues in the municipality, particularly the waste pollution problem at the beach in Baranggay Parang.

This was disclosed by Mayor Ricarte Padilla in an interview with MWBuzz early this month, without explaining how such initiatives would be carried out.

Padilla noted that the waste pollution at Parang beach has been “a decade-long issue already”.

He said the accumulation of all kinds of waste matters could have not been caused by the households in Parang alone, particularly those living along the shoreline.

Padilla noted that it was also caused by nature, especially during typhoon.

“Ang totoo niyan, ang mga basura, human waste and all sort of debris sa ating dalampasigan … especially sa barrio ng Parang, ay hindi lang nagmumula sa Parang itself.

"Recipient lang siya (Parang) ng mga nasabing kapupunan ng dumi, human waste and all sort of debris from the coastal barrios like Osmena, Bagong Bayan, North and South poblacion, plaridel, Calero, Pagasa, Dayhagan, Nakalaya and Salvacion.”

He explained that during strong typhoon, the strong undercurrent of water at the mouth of the bay could easily rake up all waste debris buried under the seafloor and are carried towards the shoreline of Parang.

Padilla has begun visiting the coastal baranggays which he said are also sources of waste pollutants that end up at Parang beach to urge the people not to throw their household wastes and other waste materials into the beach.

The people were urged to contain their rubbish “in a responsible manner” so that it would not end up at the shore next to their homes.

Padilla said that during the Jose Panganiban Day celebration on Feb 1, he told the people that “all Mambolenos have responsibilities towards cleanliness in our community”.

“Cleanliness begins at home,” he said, adding that the people themselves should strictly adhere to this rule by looking at how the members of the family dispose waste matters that could end up on the beach and in the bay water.

He said his ecological team is finding ways on how to deal with this beach pollution problem.