Trash Taints "Generally Peaceful" Traslacion (Trash-less Feast of the Black Nazarene Remains an Elusive Dream - Environmental Watch Group)
“Magpasalamat, hindi magkalat.”
The waste and pollution watch group EcoWaste Coalition made this remark as it
bewailed the widespread littering that again tainted the 22-hour mammoth
procession in reverence for the Black Nazarene.
“We are deeply saddened by the sight of garbage in Rizal Park where
the procession of the venerated image began following an all-night vigil, and
along the processional route,” said Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste Campaigner,
EcoWaste Coalition.
“The lack of environmental concern has again stained the awe-inspiring
expression of faith and trust in the Black Nazarene that devotees ask for help
to solve personal or family issues, including health and financial troubles
that could have been caused or worsened by a degraded and polluted
environment,” he added.
“Our plea for a trash-less Traslacion remains an elusive dream,” he
lamented. “We hope devotees will heed our appeal for waste prevention and
reduction next year.”
Rizal Park:
Quiapo:
At the open area fronting the Quirino Grandstand, the group’s Basura Patrollers saw heaps of garbage consisting of corrugated boxes, foils, newspapers and plastics used as sleeping mats; food and beverage packaging such as 3-in-1 coffee sachets, cup noodles, paper and plastic cups and polystyrene containers; food leftovers; plastic bags; and cigarette butts.
As reported by the group’s Basura Patrollers,
the streets of Quiapo were teeming not only with people, but also with garbage,
including discarded plastic bags and polystyrene food containers that are
supposedly restricted under Manila City Ordinance 8282.
Meanwhile, the group thanked the waste pickers who patiently retrieved
recyclable items left by the devotees such as PET bottles (except those with
urine), corrugated boards and others that can be sold to junk shops.
The retrieval of recyclables reduces the volume of waste and prevent
valuable resources from being hauled to the dump.
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