Legazpi City (6 February) -- The ABS-CBN in Bicol in cooperation with the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR, the City Government of Legazpi, and the Provincial Government of Albay spearheaded a coastal clean-up at Bgy. Puro this City last January 26.

Hundreds of participants from government agencies, the police and military services, and the academe took their day off to join the coastal clean-up and remove debris afloat the marine waters.

Among the coastal clean-up participants were the personnel of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) that also regularly participated in the monthly clean-up drive at the Government Regional Center in Barangay Rawis, here.

Bulks of debris were hauled out from the coastal barangay of Puro that served as the downstream of the Sagumayon and Macabalo Rivers traversing the municipality of Daraga and Legazpi City. EMB Bicol regional director Gilbert C. Gonzales in an interview emphasized the proper implementation down to the barangay level of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) so as to prevent massive clogging of waste in coastal marine environment.

He said that part of the EMB program is the conduct of regular clean-up oif waterways. "We enjoined the communities to take part of such advocacy and help fix the local environment."

City Mayor Noel Rosal pointed out that the LGU is focused to address this solid waste problem particularly the effect on marine environment by mobilizing the barangays along the rivers to take part in the regular clean-up activities and proper implementation of the eco-waste management law.