Eco group pleas to minimize fiesta trash

CEBU, Philippines —  Environmental group, Ecowaste Coalition, is now appealing to parishes and communities nationwide that celebrate the upcoming Feast of Santo Niño to take steps to prevent and reduce fiesta garbage.

The advocacy group for a zero waste and toxics-free society specifically encouraged the people to honor the Child Jesus by avoiding the consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs) in order to cut the volume of trash from the festivities.

With the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, various crowd-drawing events are set to happen in honor of Santo Niño such as the famous Sinulog in Cebu, Dinagyang in Iloilo, Ati-Atihan in Aklan, the Buling-Buling and Lakbayaw in Pandacan and Tondo, Manila City, and the Bambino in Pasig City, among others.

As the national and international zero waste month is observed this January, we appeal to all parishes and communities to avoid SUPs and to choose reusable over disposable products all year round to cut down on waste,” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

SUPs that are widely used in community festivities include disposable polystyrene plastic containers, plastic cups, plates and cutlery, plastic bags, plastic bottles for water and sugary beverages, plastic straws, and numerous products in sachet packaging, as well as the ubiquitous plastic banderitas.

To reduce the disposal of polystyrene containers used for cooked meals, the group urged food givers and vendors to invest in reusable containers and cutlery that can be washed and reused over and over again.

The group likewise discouraged the consumption of water in throw-away plastic bottles. Instead, it encouraged citizens to opt for reusable containers that can be filled with clean tap water or, if necessary, with boiled or filtered water.

Meanwhile, a few days before the Sinulog Festival, the National Nutrition Council-7 has reminded the public to watch over available food, especially with the expected huge food fest for the rest of the day.

The NNC-7 through its nutrition network reminds those who will participate in this one-day event to be on the watch on the food they will consume.

Dr. Parolita A. Mission, NNC-7 regional nutrition program coordinator, emphasizes two of the 10 Kumainments namely: the Kumainment no. 6 and Kumainment no. 8.

The former emphasizes the importance of consuming safe food and water to prevent diarrhea and other food and water-borne diseases while the latter reminds us to limit intake of fried, salty, oily and sugary foods.

She also encourages the public to bring their own food to ensure its nutritive content and safety.

Mission also reminded the attendees to eat a full meal, have a good sleep prior to event and stay hydrated to survive the day-long walkathon under the heat by drinking more than their usual water intake and avoiding fruit drinks and other colored drink since it does not only aggravate the thirst but also has high sugar content which can lead to health problems particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus. — GMR (FREEMAN)