Partnerships for protecting our Earth, our people!

Nearly 60 schoolchildren/participants were asked to come early to enjoy the morning sun’s gentle touch during the 2026 Earth Day Coastal Cleaning in Tayud, Consolacion last Saturday/April 25, a joint project of LGU Consolacion/Zonta Club of Cebu 2/the Z-Clubs of Childlink HS Cebu City/Our Lady of Joy Learning Center Consolacion and RCE-Cebu.

We ourselves started early but got lost/spent more than an hour trying to find Tayud, Consolacion’s Eco-Park. Getting lost proved to be providential, however, because we realized Consolacion is blessed with so much natural resources (the sea/ mangroves/hills/more) which we prayed will be sustainably protected through the years, across generations!

Sadly, though, we missed the following precious messages during the Programme: LGU Fisheries Technician Rodrigo Soco welcomed all to the new Consolacion LGU Eco- Park in Tayud Consolacion. He cited years of partnership, how the LGU is always willing to partner with groups in similar projects.

Zonta President Lucy Carcel highlighted how the environment is part of Zonta Club’s advocacies and the importance of partnerships.

We especially missed these beautiful messages of hope for the sustainable protection of our planet from our schoolchildren:

From Jessemarie Lloyd F. Tio, Grade 10 student Z club of Childlink High School:

“We're here today for something that actually matters not just for us, but for the future. Our beaches and trees aren't just there to look nice. They protect us, give us clean air and water, and support life all around us. But when we leave trash behind or take more than we give, we slowly damage the very things we depend on. That's why today isn't "just" a clean-up or tree planting. Every piece of trash we pick up and every tree we plant is a step toward fixing what's been neglected. Change doesn't always come from big actions it comes from small ones, done consistently. So let this be more than a one-day effort. Let it be a mindset. Let's take care of our environment the same way we'd take care of our own home-because in the end, it is.”

From Katreese Petiluna, Gr 10, Our Lady of Joy LC: “The good news is we can make a difference. By using reusable bottles, eco-bags, buying only what we need, and recycling properly, we lessen our impact on the environment. Small actions multiplied by many create lasting change. Sustainable consumption starts with us. Responsible consumption is not just a choice; it is a moral duty to future generations. So always remember: Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rethink. And what does Juana and friends say? Together, we can make the change!”

Finally reaching the venue, of the total waste collected (262.75 kgs) during the less than an hour clean up that morning, the most conspicuous were the plastic bottles (37.5 kgs), other plastic wastes (9.5 kgs).

Other wastes included biomass (12 kgs), metals (12.5 kgs), hazardous/dangerous objects (8 kgs), glass bottle (22 kgs), incinerable garbage (37.75 kgs), cartons/paper cups (11 kgs), clothing/fabric (2 kgs).

The participants were treated to a gardening session by Agriculture Technologist Melanie Anticristo who also provided assorted seedlings (eggplant/okra/squash/kangkong/ ampalaya/organic/vermiculture compost).

Credit goes to the consistent support of the following LGU partners: Rodrigo Soco, Eduardo S. Jordan-(Consolacion Municipal Fisheries/Aquatic Resources Council) 12- Bantay Dagat Personnel.

Delicious painit was provided by the ever-energetic Zonta ladies (Elsa Basubas, Marilou Ca?izares, Petite

Garcia, more (apologies to those not mentioned due to space limitation)!

Advet Enterprises of Bantayan Island donated eggs for eating/sharing with the Bantay Dagat and Fisherfolks.

Wonderful/brief/meaningful Earth Day event with school partners - young HS students/ faculty/Principals, Zonta advocates, Consolacion LGUs, and, RCE-Cebu!

PARTNERSHIP – the 5th pillar of Sustainable Development - will genuinely lead us all to a better/sustainably protected world where prosperity/peace for our people and planet will reign, with no one ever left behind!