Coastal Clean Up thru Pilipinas Natin


After a long time sitting on the bucket list and multiple attempts, I finally was able to join in and volunteer for a coastal clean up, and this was near the SRP project in the PASIL area of Cebu City. I've written about this  thru print (entitled: 'The gift of Volunteerism this holiday season' with scanned image and the digital copy) but I still want to blog about MY personal thoughts and lessons learned about it.

For me personally, doing volunteer work keeps me grounded and is a constant reminder to me not to complain about my life because there are others fighting harder and are in a much more difficult situation than I am, and that inspires me to further pursue my goals, dreams and to be of help to others.

The site, aside from being a beach coast towards the sea, beside it is a river as well
Volunteers briefing in Pasil barangay hall-gymnasium
Arrival at the site
despite the trash, it still looks beautiful yes? Now imagine it without the refuse!
The event was spearheaded and participated by youth from varied organizations, having found the initiative of “Pilipinas Natin” as a good venue for attracting youth to do community work. On that one day, the groups initiated outreach programs in different places in Cebu such as: Barangay Alaska, Mambaling; Barangay Suba, Pasil, and Lorega.

About Pilipinas Natin:
Bawat Pilipino ay ang solusyon! Bawat Pilipino kasama sa pagbabago!And this will start from every Filipino’s pledge of taking accountability to our country, thus, Pilipinas Natin. Most of the citizens feel they have done their part by contributing their personal time and efforts in electing the President. They now sit in the sidelines and watch.  In order to effect change, we need to keep them involved. We need to make them understand that winning the Presidency is just the first step. We have a long way to go and we need solidarity in our quest for change.

As a flagship campaign of the PCOO (Presidential Communications Operations Office) Office for Special Concerns, Pilipinas Natin shall fulfill its mandate – to connect government with the people – by forming a volunteerism movement that will harness the Filipino’s potential for greatness. In partnership with the government and different stakeholders, Pilipinas Natin shall create an enabling environment for people to care, share and support one another in order to build healthy, humane and nurturing communities that embody our aspiration for an empowered nation.

Students and yuppies cleaning stuff up (on green is my friend Camille)
Kids from the area voluntarily lent us a hand! YEHEY!
Lessons Learned on the Coastal Clean Up:
  • Adults who have lived around trash are most likely to be negative about a clean up (sad but true, its like the TV series 'Hoarders')
  • children (around the ages 8-11) who were in the area, just became curious and helped the “cleaners” clean up the place without asking why it was being done. That bayanihan act surprised and empowered the cleaners even more!
  • Students stopped to wonder how odd bits of trash and some even took notes — on what not to do or how to recycle of of the recyclable items found.
  • It's nice to follow a "Bring Your Own" BYO and leave-no-trace philosophy will allow you to save plastic bags and gloves that would otherwise be used during trash pick-up and live trash of our own.
  • Plan before hand as to how to transport the collected refuse, and where to deposit or give it (to the right place and authorities)
  • Bring lots of liquids and sun protection as well
  • No matter how much hard you work and try, it still not enough we still need to persist in order to fully clean the whole area
All it takes is one person really: one tree can start a forest. One smile begins a friendship. One star can guide a ship at sea. One vote can change a nation. One act can save a life. One step starts each journey. One word starts each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits. One touch can show one cares. One’s presence can overcome fear. One can make a difference. That one moment is all it takes. So don’t get tired of doing what is right and true, even if you’re alone. Don’t let your voice of hope and optimism get drowned by the grumbling of others. ONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Coastal Clean Up thru Pilipinas Natin Coastal Clean Up thru Pilipinas Natin Reviewed by Vernon Joseph Go on Thursday, January 05, 2012 Rating: 5

3 comments

  1. "Most of the citizens feel they have done their part by contributing their personal time and efforts in electing the President. They now sit in the sidelines and watch.  In order to effect change, we need to keep them involved. We need to make them understand that winning the Presidency is just the first step"

    I agree. People think it's PNoy who has to solve all our problems when actually the power to change our country lies within us.

    Good writing, Iggy! Although I think the 4th lesson learned has grammatical errors. :)

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  2. well put and direct to the point! :D

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  3. super like for this post! ^_^

    people should realize that "we" the people, should stop blaming the leaders of our country because WE ARE THE COUNTRY! I so love the last paragraph. Great job Go ^_^

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