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INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
In celebration of the National Clean-up Month, the Dept of Environment and Natural Resources - NCR has prepared a line up of activities for the month of September.
What is ICC?
The month of September was declared "National Clean-up Month" by virtue of Proclamation No. 244 signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos, its purpose is to encourage citizens to clean and preserve nature as everyone's contribution to the conservation and protection of the environment and natural resources, and also to be the country's contribution to the environmental conservation efforts around the world.
Also included in the month of September is the annual holding of the "International Coastal Clean-up or ICC", which is said to be the largest gathering of volunteers for the simultaneous cleaning of seas, rivers, lakes, and other waterways around the world to fight the threat of ocean pollution.
ICC is the largest volunteer effort in the world devoted to cleaning the ocean and finding solutions to ocean pollution. Held every third Saturday of September each year. The first coastal cleanup was organized by Ocean Conservancy, a US-based non-profit organization, in 1986 and was held on the coast of Texas, USA.
ICC in the Philippines
The Philippines first started joining the ICC in 1994. In 2003, then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 470 formally declaring the third Saturday of September as ICC Day.
ICC in National Capital Region
The DENR National Capital Region was active in holding the ICC in 2014 where it organized a simultaneous clean-up drive in different areas here in Metro Manila. Since then, it has been regularly participated by thousands of cleanup volunteers. Especially in 2019, when the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program also known by the hashtag “Battle for Manila Bay” was also launched.
What makes ICC different from other clean-up activities?
What makes the ICC unique, aside from the simultaneous and coordinated global execution is the emphasis on organized scientific data collection. Volunteers are requested, not only to pick up litter but also to identify and record the rubbish on a standardized data card. The debris information generated is encoded into a database for analysis by pollution specialists who are racing against time to develop solutions to the marine debris problem.
Process of recording cleanup data
The focal person/office shall ensure that all cleanup volunteers are well aware of the “TeamDENRNCR” system that shall be observed during the cleanup. The “#TeamDENRNCR” will require volunteers to group themselves into at least five (5) members each and assign a Trash Collector, Trash Sorter, and Trash Data Encoder for their team. The focal person/office should assign a team to a particular area in the cleanup site to avoid overcrowding.
The Trash Data Encoder will be responsible for recording the type and quantity of trash collected by their team in the ICC Trash Data Form, which will be provided by the designated focal person of the cleanup site. The e-copy of the form shall be received by the participants prior to the cleanup day to reproduce and distribute.
The Trash Data Encoder shall be in charge of proper recording in the ICC Trash Data Form the type and quantity (per piece and/or bulk weight) of all the trash that their team can recover during the cleanup.
After the cleanup, volunteers must submit their accomplished ICC Trash Data Form to the focal person/office of DENR-NCR per site for accounting and consolidation of collected trash data. The same will be consolidated per cleanup site for submission to the RSCIG. RSCIG shall consolidate the forms for the drafting of the regional report.
2023 Metro Manila’s Identified Cleanup Sites
1. SM By The Bay, Pasay City;
2. Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP);
3. Baseco Beach, Manila City;
4. Tanza Marine Tree Park (TMTP), Navotas City;
5. Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach;
6. Shores of Brgys. Tangos North and South, Navotas City;
7. Tullahan River, Brgy. San Bartolome, Novaliches in Quezon City;
8. Pasig River (Lawton Ferry Station);
9. H20 Hotel in Manila Ocean Park, Roxas Boulevard, Manila; and
10. Back of Solaire Hotel and Resort Casino, Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City
How to join?
- Register
- Coordination
- Orientation
- Prepare cleaning implements
- Be on time
The first thing to do is register at this link found on the official Facebook page of the DENR National Capital Region. When registering, select any of the ten cleanup sites you want to participate in.
Part of the registration form is if you are a solo participant, as a family or barkada, and as part of an organization. Note, that it is important to register through the link as the DENR-NCR strictly does not accept walk-in participants at the cleanup sites to avoid overcrowding. Priority to be given orientation and admission to the designated sites for those who have registered through our link.
Once done, the next step is to wait for official communication from the designated focal person of your preferred site. You will also be advised for a formal orientation about ICC to know the do's and don'ts when it comes to cleaning, and other important details for it.
ICC is a volunteer activity, so don't forget to bring cleaning materials. Bring your own food and water tumbler too. Of course, wear comfortable clothes.
And of course, after orientation, are you ready? Because the ICC day is here next. Go to your cleanup site at the time that the focal persons will give you.
Sea you there!
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Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
