DEQ teams up with MVA for Makaka Beach cleanup

The Division of Environmental Quality joined forces with the Marianas Visitors Authority in the beach beautification program and collected about 500 lbs of trash, including a washing machine at Makaka Beach Saturday morning.

In teaming up with MVA, DEQ tapped its regular cleanup volunteers, family members, and groups such as Cha Cha Oceanview’s National Junior Honor Society, the Korean students’ association New Generation Good, and the Filipino group’s Power Inc.

After scouring the stretch of Makaka Beach for two hours, the volunteers, including two-year-old Ross Anthony Arriola, hauled bags of trash into two pick-up trucks.

DEQ spokesperson Reina Camacho, in an interview with the Saipan Tribune, said it was a special day because DEQ and MVA, which is celebrating tourism month activities, united forces in cleaning up beaches.

Camacho said MVA asked DEQ if they could team up to beautify the island beaches and maintain the environment.

“We agreed so we called our regular brigade volunteers to come. And MVA also asked their membership to join. So we have chosen the Makaka Beach in Garapan. Our plan was to go all the way down to Sugar Dock. Today we only made it to the Garapan Fishing Base,” she said.

“We want to make a statement that our beaches are important to us… this is why tourists come. This is where residents go to enjoy the beach to hangout,” Camacho pointed out.

Also on Saturday, a group of divers and some volunteers cleaned up the underwater of trash and other debris at Sugar Dock and at Laulau Beach.

Camacho said aside from collecting the usual picnic items, they also found a washing machine and some discarded household items.

The DEQ spokesperson added that they spent most of their time picking up cigarette butts and the six-pack rings for soda and beer.

DEQ director Frank Rabauliman said this kind of cleanup program is excellent and that more people should be encouraged to participate.

“It benefits the island, promote tourism and does exactly what we’re trying to promote—the beautification of the island,” Rabauliman said.

Leilani Bermudes, adviser of Cha Cha Oceanview’s National Junior Honor Society, said they joined the cleanup as part of their services for the community.

Sakurako Halstead, 14, an eight grader and member of the Junior Honor Society, said she is enjoying the trash collection because she is helping the environment and the economy especially for the tourists.