• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About a ton of garbage was collected during the coastal clean- up drive spearheaded by the Filinvest Land Inc., in tandem with the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) and barangay officials and residents of Purok Tumpok in Brgy. Zone 15, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, in line with the Earth Day celebration.
In a statement, Filinvest said they are taking part in spreading awareness of shared responsibility in maintaining cleanliness in coastlines and waterways.
Neil Brian Serantes, Filinvest Land Incorporated branch manager, who led the company employees in the coastal cleanup drive, said “protection and preservation of the environment is the main thrust of Pusong Filinvest,” and it is in line with its clean and green program.
Serantes disclosed that more than 50 individuals joined the cleanup drive, where volunteers who care for the environment participated.
He reported that about a ton garbage was collected from the coastal area of Purok Tumpok, Talisay City, which is near the boundary of Brgy. Banago in Bacolod City.
PEMO project development officer Elmer Espeja disclosed that Filinvest sought their technical assistance and assessment of coastal areas in Talisay City, in coordination with the concerned local government unit Environment and Natural Resources and City Agriculture Office, which also mobilized their Bantay Dagat and Katunggan personnel for the cleanup drive.
Espeja stressed that the problem on garbage is not technical, but more of behavioral, which may change through another habit.
Some people are throwing their garbage anywhere, not aware of its implications, he noted.
Stressing the need for an intensive education campaign, Espeja said the entry of COCD (Community Organizing Community Development) is now a must in the proper disposal of garbage.
Joemar Estrope, Zone 15 barangay chairman, who also joined the cleanup drive, said they welcome anybody or groups, in the cleanup of its three coastal areas, composed of Sitios Tumpok, Binalayan and Tayabas, as he thanked Filinvest for extending assistance in the coastal cleanup drive.
Estrope reiterated his call for his constituents to be responsible enough in the proper disposition of their garbage.*
