Alburquerque & Tagbilaran City, Bohol – In celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Month in September, the FISH Visayas Project conducted a two-day Training on Solid Waste Management (SWM) and Coastal Clean-up Drives on September 25-26, 2024. The activity engaged 106 residents and fishers from Brgy. West Poblacion, Alburquerque, and Brgy. Ubujan, Tagbilaran City, encouraging environmental stewardship and awareness.

Training on Solid Waste Management
Integrating coastal clean-ups into local government solid waste management programs is an ongoing initiative by the FISH Visayas Project. This training provided participants with practical knowledge on waste segregation, composting, and compliance with existing solid waste management laws and regulations, fostering sustainable practices within the community.The training covered the essentials of solid waste management (SWM) in the Philippines, including the legal framework and an overview of the plastic crisis at both global and local levels. Innovative community initiatives aimed at reducing local solid waste pollution were also discussed.

Coastal clean-up drive
Collecting and analyzing data from coastal clean-ups is crucial for informed policy-making at local and national levels. To address the need for consistent documentation, barangay LGUs were introduced to trash data forms developed by Ocean Conservancy. These forms enable communities to record coastal waste by type, including details on the number of items collected, bags filled, weight of trash, and the distance cleaned. Such data supports local governments in shaping targeted policies for waste management.

In Alburquerque, 15 sacks of coastal waste, weighing a total of 106.65 kg, were collected within a 100-meter coastal stretch during a 30-minute clean-up. In Tagbilaran City, a 15-minute clean-up along the same length of coastline resulted in 12 sacks of waste weighing 34.36 kg. Commonly collected items included plastic bottles, cups, plastic bags and wrappers, glass beverage bottles, and small fragments of residual plastics.

Debriefing session
Following the clean-up, a debriefing session allowed participants to share insights on local waste challenges and discuss actionable solutions to reduce plastic pollution and improve solid waste management practices.

Partnership for a Sustainable Environment
This initiative was a collaborative effort among FISH Visayas Project partners, including the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AFOS Foundation, and the LGUs of Alburquerque and Tagbilaran City. Key involvement from the Municipal and City Environment and Natural Resources offices, as well as the Municipal Agriculture Office, contributed to the event’s success.

Policy framework insights were provided by Leila Manding-Cafe, SWM Focal Person for the local government of Alburquerque and the Municipal Planning and Coordination Officer. Engr. Raul Aparicio II, SWM Focal Person for the local government of Tagbilaran City and head of the City Environmental Management Office, offered local context on SWM efforts. Additionally, Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, an environmental planner and core volunteer for Plastic Free Bohol, led discussions on SWM essentials.

Through this initiative led by the FISH Visayas, frequent coastal clean-ups are advocated to strengthen the community’s commitment to environmental health and public well-being. These efforts ultimately support marine ecosystems, safeguard biodiversity, and enhance food security for coastal communities.

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The Training on Solid Waste Management and Coastal Clean-up Drives in Alburquerque and Tagbilaran aspires to achieve Result Area 4: Resource Protection of the FISH Visayas Project.