Coastal Clean-up at Sitio Kay Reyna Coastline and Mangrove Nursery

Niña Antoneitte Guda

May 27

If it's trash, pick it up

Participate in clean-ups

Our oceans need us, ASAP

Title of Project: Coastal Clean-up at Sitio Kay Reyna Mangrove

Date of Implementation: April 10, 2022

Names of members: Princess Catanghal, Niña Guda, Ralph Juan

Concise description and objectives

The Philippines is an archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Composed of 7,107 islands, the coastline spans 36,289 kilometers. 62% of the total population resides at the coastline (Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia, 2019). The countries' coastal systems face various threats including but not limited to oil spill, pollution, habitat destruction, clogged waterways, and plastic waste (Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia, 2019). In addition, according to Federigan (2022), the amount of plastic thrown into the ocean yearly is around 17.6 Billion pounds. At that rate, there will be more trash than fish by 2050 (Unicef, 2019).

As vocal and active proponents of sustainability and Earth conservation, the group scaled up their CWTS 1 project of donating seeds and gardening tools to EcoHumans Inc. into participating in a coastal clean-up and address marine plastic waste. The group partnered with the Lian Fisherfolk Association, a community of fisherfolk in Sito Kay Reyna, Lumaniag, Lian, Batangas that work for the preservation and conservation of the Lumaniag Beach. They currently have a Mangrove Nursery of Kalapinay and Bakawan Bato, a project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The biggest contributors to the trash are trash thrown into the ocean, which are later brought to the coastline by waves. Additionally, the Mangrove Nursery and coastline are around 10 meters away from the residential area and tourist area, which makes trash and pollution inevitable. Aside from residents' trash, remains from trees (e.g., dry leaves, rotten fruits) are also along the coastline that needs maintenance as well. According to Westley Clores, the group's contact person within the organization, a coastal clean-up project may seem easy and quick, but it is vital and it brings long-term help to nature. The group aimed to fill at least 20 sacks of trash to put things into perspective that the clean-up was successful. The clean-up was done at the area near the mangrove nursery.

Niña Guda with some members of the Lian Fisherfolk Association

How you did your project

After conducting a needs assessment interview with the association, the group has decided to do a coastal clean-up. To achieve this project, the first major objective was to raise awareness regarding the waste at the Lumaniag coastline. The group interviewed Mr. Ariel Casihan, Lian Fisherfolk Associations' President. Mr. Casihan was asked two questions: what are the sources and contributors of trash on the coastline, and how do coastal clean-ups help alleviate the situation. The group edited a video to post on social media that targets the general audience. The video also contains an invitation calling for volunteers from Lian, Batangas to join the clean-up.

After requests from the Association, the second objective was merged with the project implementation. The clean-up was held last April 10, 2022, the first day of the Catholic Holy Week. The date was chosen to ensure that the members of the Fisherfolk Association would be able to attend and that the beach would be clean before Holy Week tourists arrive.

Summary of your project accomplishments, with photo(s)

The coastal clean-up was held last April 10, 2022. There were a total of 20 people during the clean-up. 19 members from the association and 1 volunteer (Niña Guda). 10 sacks of trash that include bottles, plastics, wrappers, sachets, diapers, face masks, face shields, clothes, used cup noodles, paper plates, and disposable utensils were collected during the clean-up. Leaves and branches on the other hand were buried in the sand to degrade. It also helps strengthen the foundation of the sand that will help prevent water from reaching the near residential area when the northeast monsoon season begins. Some members of the association also helped lift a nipa hut roof to transfer to another nipa hut.

After the clean-up, pancit, barbeque, bread, and drinks were available for everyone to eat.

Challenges encountered and what you did to solve them

At first, the association agreed to have a call for volunteers to join the clean-up. However, in the latter part of the project planning, Mr. Casihan called and asked if it would be alright if only the group members came to join the rest of the association to clean. According to Mr. Casihan, they would not like to risk the safety of the association members, especially the senior citizens and minors that will join the clean-up. He assured the group that there will be enough people on the clean-up to assure the success of the event.

Another problem that the group encountered was the members' current locations. Ralph Juan resides in Quezon City, Princess Catanghal resides in Cavite and the clean-up is at Batangas. Despite this, the members still participated and helped in the planning and implementation.

Evaluation of your project

Overall, the group met its objective to help in a coastal clean-up project. Although the members had personal difficulties, they successfully planned and implemented the project. In a sense, the group was able to follow the submitted plan, aside from some revisions in ensuring safety. One of the hindrances of finishing the project was staying on schedule, and the group would like to thank our Faculty-in-Charge for their understanding of the circumstances of the members. On resources such as budget and in-kind donation of sacks, gloves, scissors, and food, the group decided to pitch in for the budget and was able to generate enough for the needs of the project implementation. Lastly, time management and following a set schedule is the group's weakest point. Thus, these are the areas that could be improved.

Important quotes or feedback from the participants or partner organizations

The Lian Fisherfolk Association thanked the group for choosing them as the partner association for the project. According to them, they were rarely chosen by students when choosing partners for volunteer work. They also expressed their gratitude for the food.

Mr. Casihan also said that their association is open to tree planting sponsors and if researchers would like to explore their area.

Did you have any unexpected results?

Yes! After the clean-up, some members stayed to hang out and chat. After seeing this, Mr. Casihan asked the members if they would be willing to help transfer a nipa hut roof to build a new nipa hut. The members agreed and through collective action or bayanihan, Niña witnessed a whole roof being carried by the members. It was an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Members of the Lian Fisherfolk Association Lifting a nipa hut roof

Overall impact on the community/organization

According to Westley Clores, they would like to accept more coastal clean-up volunteers once the pandemic is over.

Tips and recommendations for fellow citizens interested in such a project

It is helpful to develop a good relationship with the chosen partner association and its members; try to engage in conversations and try to speak the language they speak. In that manner, the people would be comfortable during implementation. Showing disgust in the trash is also a bad ethic because as volunteers, one should know what they signed up for. Moreover, it is important to observe and follow how the members clean, where they start and how they choose which trash is placed in sacks and which are buried. Having a variety of tools is also vital as brooms are not the only tools used in cleaning. Some tools that can be used are scissors for cutting dried roots, shovels for digging and scooping trash into sacks, and pitchfork for removing trash that is stuck in roots.

Comment