BAUANG, La Union - The Environmental Management Bureau-Region 1 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources took part in the beach fun walk and coastal clean-up drive dubbed “Pagna Pagna para iti Basura” along the coast of Bauang, La Union on January 25, 2020, which was organized by the Provincial Government of La Union and the local government unit of Bauang, La Union in celebration of the National Zero Waste Month.

Thirteen EMB-I personnel showed full support by picking up trash along the shorelines of Barangay Paringao to Barangay Pugo, Bauang, La Union from 6:00-10:00 AM. Over 800 participants from the National Government Agencies, LGU Bauang, Academe, Coastal Barangays of Paringao, Baccuit Norte, Baccuit Sur, Taberna, Pugo, Bauang, La Union, Sanguniang Kabataan, Barangay Health Workers and Tanods, Marine Reservists, Non- Governmental Organizations, Confederation of Ilocano Association Inc., Bikers Association, Youth Organizations for Environment, residents and other stakeholders joined the clean-up drive. Approximately 1.76 tons of recyclable and residual wastes were collected and brought to the Bauang sanitary landfill.

EMB-I Clearance & Permitting Division Chief Engr. Nicanor Esteban, who represented EMB-I Regional Director Engr. Maria Dorica Naz-Hipe, lauded the Provincial Government of La Union for successfully organizing the “Pagna Pagna para iti Basura,” which is a very innovative information, education and communication campaign that raises public awareness about the imperative need to ecologically manage solid waste.

The month of January was declared as Zero-Waste Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 760 signed by former President Benigno S. Aquino III on May 15, 2014. “Zero waste” is an advocacy that promotes designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, and to conserve and recover all resources, and not indiscriminately dispose or burn them.“Zero Waste” is likewise a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.