Coastal cleanup marks World Wetlands Day

CEBU, Philippines - A coastal cleanup marked the state environment agency’s World Wetlands Day yesterday and a decline in the trash collected gave more reasons to celebrate.

The February 2 activity yielded around 100 kilograms of trash at the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary which is 100 percent lower than last year.  The collected trash were mostly plastics, bottles, cans, and other residual wastes, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

 “Feb. 2 of every year is observed globally and in the Philippines as Wetlands Day to give significance on the value of wetlands to human beings as they act as water purification systems, regulate flow and precipitation, flood control, and provide shoreline stability,” said DENR Regional Director Isabelo Montejo.

The garbage gathered was 130 percent lesser from the 260 kilograms in 2013, which has been the biggest in the past three years.

 “The decrease of garbage collected could be attributed to the aggressive information and education campaign on proper solid waste management with a strong support from our local government units and other people’s organizations,” Montejo added.

 The celebration is in adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian City of Ramsar.  Around 100 participants attended the one-day coastal cleanup led by the OIWS Assistant Protected Area Superintendent Reginaldo Bueno, along with DENR-7 staff members and personnel.

 Participants included the members of the Olango Eco-tour Association (OIETA), San Vicente Fisher folks Association (SVFA), and youth volunteers of Barangay San Vicente, Olango.

 “We always encourage the public especially those living near the coasts to always take good care of our wetlands because they are very helpful as they protect our shoreline from wave actions, mitigate the impact of floods, absorb pollutants, and provide habitats for various plants and animal species,” said Montejo.

Montejo lauded the youth who participated in the cleanup, adding this is a good manifestation that youth of today is now more aware of their critical role in environment conservation, protection and rehabilitation.  In the Philippines, February 2 has been declared as the National Wetlands Day by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 74, series of 1999 with this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth.”

 The Philippines is one of 159 Contracting Parties of the convention that are committed to the conservation and wise use of all wetlands.   Wetlands are lands that may be permanently or seasonally inundated. These include lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, peatlands, estuaries, tidal flats, mangroves and coral reefs, and even man-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies and reservoirs.

 Wetlands include swamps, lakes, marshes, mudflats, mangroves and marine water.  (FREEMAN)