Barangay captain: Garbage accumulates anew after one week
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Swim and Save 3.0, a coastal and underwater clean-up event that took place in Dumaguete City Barangays Calindagan and Tinago earlier this month, collected a total of 343.5 kilograms of non-biodegradable waste.
According to Swim and Save movement co-founder Wayne Banaybanay, the collected trash was mostly comprised of plastic bags, food wrappers, straws, cigarette butts, used diapers, nylons, and fishnets.
“We need to collaborate with other partners, particularly [directly-affected] communities, to ensure trash-free seas and coasts,” said Debonaire Mamhot, production head for the Energy Development Corporation, which collaborated on the event. “Hopefully, this will lead to the eventual establishment of the waters as a marine-protected area.”
Local officials said such practices encourage better habits.
“After one week, [the] garbage is back again,” said Barangay Calindagan Captain Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria. “However, because of the regularity of the clean-ups, locals have made it a habit to pick up garbage on their own.”
The next Swim and Save is scheduled for November in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental./DGB, WDJ