Around 37,000 kilograms of garbage were collected during the simultaneous cleanup of Manila Bay tributaries yesterday.
According to Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones, “1,980 volunteers came forward, resulting in the cleanup of garbage with a total volume of 37,103 kilograms of garbage, collected in 5,301 sacks.”
Among the waterways cleaned were Estero de Magdalena, Estero de San Lazaro, Estero de Tripa de Gallina, Paltok Creek, Navotas River, Tullahan River, Tumana Creek, and the San Juan River System.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said the massive cleanup of Manila Bay tributaries, dubbed as the “Battle for the Rivers and Esteros,” involved communities to empower them in protecting their own waterways.
“I say that the Tullahan River cleanup is the most organized, well-attended, and most prepared in the launching of the Battle for the Rivers and Esteros,” he said.
“It is said that cleaning Tullahan River is impossible. But with the impressive support and commitment of barangay captains, the impossible becomes possible,” he added. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)