Up to 450 kilos of trash were collected during a cleanup drive in Sarangani Bay participated by 60 volunteers.

Around 60 ’scubasurero’ volunteers from different organizations, members of Bantay Dagat, and divers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Soccsksargen (DENR-12) collected sacks of mixed trash underwater and from beach resorts in Gumasa, Glan.

These consist of beverage bottles, PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, labo bags, food wrappers, cigarettes butts, among others.

“This calls for a proactive approach in implementing SarBay's environmental component, and highlights the need to expedite the banning of single-use plastics in SBPS,” Sarangay Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) Protected Area Superintendent, Cirilo Lagnason Jr., said.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Shalimar Disomangcop urged residents to be responsible “seatizens.” 

"We appreciate the efforts of the organizers and the sweepers in keeping SarBay clean, but the simplest and most significant effort of throwing trash in the right place must come from the "seatizens.” Indeed, SarBay Fest is truly joyful and I'm glad to see Sarangans enjoying it, but it is more fun if it is trash-free," Disomangcop said.