By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY — Coastal towns in Iloilo and Capiz provinces joined Monday the simultaneous cleanup drive conducted in the Visayan Sea.
In an interview Tuesday, Regional Director Remia Aparri of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas said garbage is dangerous because they not only pollute the waters but also end up in the stomach of fishes and other marine animals.
Aparri noted that the cleanup is not going to be a one-time activity, but will also be held during major events, such as the Month of the Ocean, Earth Day, and Fish Conservation Week, among others.
“We will try to do it as a regular activity. We just started it with BFAR but we will be tapping other government agencies and organizations,” she said.
The “I Love Visayan Sea” campaign was participated in by coastal municipalities starting from Barotac Nuevo to Carles in Iloilo, and some towns of Capiz, she said.
Among those collected were old fishing gears and ropes, plastics, diapers, sachets and bottles.
The coastal cleanup was participated in by 33 cities and municipalities from five provinces in Regions 5, 6 and 7 surrounding the Visayan Sea.
“It was a simultaneous coastal cleanup drive. We initially planned to have it February 14 to express love for the Visayan Sea but since everybody was busy during that time, we moved it to February 18,” Aparri said.
The activity was also joined by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police, and other non-government organizations.
