The E. B. Magalona municipal government conducted a coastal cleanup drive in Barangay Latasan E. B. Magalona on Saturday, November 5.
The clean up was spearheaded by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), in partnership with BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental and various organizations, a press release from EB Magalona said Sunday.
MENRO head Jojo Vargas said there were about 200 participants and organizers in the cleanup drive at “Sidlak sa Latasan,” a 600-meter area in the barangay that BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental adopted for its mangrove-growing project.
BPI BAYAN’s partners are the Barangay Latasan Fisherfolks Association (BALAFA) with 37 members, and the Barangay Latasan Small Fisherfolks Association (BALASFA) with 17 members.
In appreciation of their advocacy, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon gave two kilos of rice each to members of BALAFA and BALASFA, and one kilo of rice each to the rest who joined the cleanup drive.
BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental was represented by head volunteer and Assistant Branch Manager Ma. Elisa Paz Dioneo- Ebojo.
Vargas said after the cleanup drive, the organizers also conducted an orientation on Ecological Solid Waste Management, handled by Kim Casipe, Science and Research Officer of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc., and a seminar on Financial Resiliency Empowerment Education (FREE), made by BPI Relationship Manager Sol Evelet Orciso.
Participants included the members of LGBT-E. B. Magalona, students of E. B. Magalona National High School belonging to YES-O, students of Tanza National High School, teachers and officers of the School’s Pupils Government of E. B. Magalona Elementary School, and members of the Latasan Barangay Council, fisherfolks associations BALAFA and BALASFA, Philippine Coast Guard, and Municipal Fire Station.
Meanwhile, the participants were treated to a “seafood festival” lunch sponsored by BPI BAYAN and the Latasan Barangay Council.*PR