DOH-Ilocos Region led by the Health Promotion Unit together with volunteers from various government agencies and educational institutions joined together to conduct the “Linis-Ligtas Barangay Coastal Clean-Up Drive” in the coastal barangay of Salugan in Currimao, Ilocos Norte on September 26, 2023
The Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region together with the local government of Currimao, Ilocos Norte conducted a coastal clean-up drive along the beaches of Brgy. Salugan to promote awareness and promote the “Linis-Ligtas Barangay Coastal Clean-Up Drive” with the theme ‘Ang Barangay na Malinis ay Kaisa para sa Healthy Pilipinas!’ by collecting wastes and garbage that may cause serious pollution problems that can affect the health of the residents and tourists, marine wildlife including the local economy.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that the coastal clean-up initiative encourages the local leaders and residents to protect our beaches and help to keep them safe and clean from waste washed up on shore and trash left by visitors every day.
“Ang paglilinis at pag-aalis ng mga basura sa ating mga dalampasigan ay nakakabawas sa epekto ng polusyon sa ating mga karagatan and also brings camaraderie to the community dahil lahat, kabilang ang ating mga LGU, ay nakikilahok at nakikiisa sa responsibilidad na mapanatiling ligtas at malinis ang ating mga lugar.”
“Sa mga bumibisita po sa ating mga beaches, huwag po nating iwanan ang ating mga basura at siguruhin po nating malinis ang lugar sa dalampasigan na ating ginamit bago tayo umuwi,” Sydiongco encouraged.
The coastal cleanup activity was held on September 26, 2023 from 6 AM to 10:30 AM with a total of 15 sacks or 300 kilograms of various garbage collected composed of face masks, pet bottles, plastic bags, straws, plastic and paper cups, barbeque sticks, broken soft drink, beer and alcohol bottles, styrofoam, wood, used slippers and shoes, etc.
The coastal clean-up initiative was led by the Regional Health Promotion Unit headed by Dr. Cheryl D. Buhong who expressed that a regular cleanup program will reduce pollution and reminded residents to always sort out trash and recycle as much as possible to reduce carbon footprint.
Buhong also encouraged residents and visitors to store their refuse in reusable bags and containers to ensure that everything won’t be left at the beach. “Use reusable plastics instead of single-use plastic cups and bring your own utensils instead of plastic spoons as these are the most common trash that can be found lying on beaches.”
“Ang pagbabawas ng basura at basura ng pagkain, ay pangangalaga sa ating kapaligiran,” she emphasized.
A total of 98 volunteers from various rural health units of Paoay, Currimao, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Burgos, Sarrat , Bangui, Pinili, Badoc, San Nicolas including health personnel from the City Health Office of Laoag, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital &Medical Center, teaching staff from the Mariano Marcos State University – College of Aquatic Science and Applied Technology, provincial DOH office of Ilocos Sur, barangay officials of Salugan, Currimao participated in the activity.
Currimao is a coastal town, and known for its annual “Dinaklisan festival”, a yearly celebration of fishermen and residents as a way of remembering God’s blessings for having a bountiful harvest and being safe at sea when fishing.
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