Malubay said that the coastal cleanup drive is one of the many projects mounted by SM Cares and leading real estate developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. to support the marine environment and ocean conservation efforts of the DENR and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
During the kickoff activity of the National Cleanup month held at the SM City Tuguegarao on September 8, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan emphasized the significance of this year’s theme “Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries.”
“Kung malinis po ang ating karagatan, siguradong malinis din ang ating kaisdaan,” she said.
As the regional environment chief appealed for support in the activity, she also encouraged the participants to diligently practice proper waste management. “We must practice responsible management of our waste especially plastics so they won’t end up in the seas and oceans and destroy marine biodiversity,” Director Bambalan said.
During the event, Kristine Iris Ceballos, mall manager of SM City Tuguegarao, also shared their sustainable programs dubbed SM Green Movement.
She underscored that their operations are aligned in sustainable and environment-friendly practices focused on energy conservation, solid waste reduction and water conservation.(MDCT/with reports from SM and DENR/PIA Cagayan)
