EICOT cleanup behind schedule

The Environmental Interagency Cooperative Operation Team may have to extend its cleanup project that was scheduled to end on Sept. 12.

According to EICOT chairman Benny K. Pangelinan the cleanup project is expected to cover six more locations after completing the Lower Base storm-water drainage and shoreline cleanup last Sunday.

“We took two Sundays to finish [the cleanup in] the intersection going to CUC Lower Base because of the trash and the trees [blocking the shoreline],” said Pangelinan.

Early in the year, EICOT project Phase I covered the drainage site from the San Antonio area to the Garapan area.

“When we completed Phase I, [Division of Environmental Quality] has been going out testing on the beaches and we haven’t heard about any red flag on these areas,” said Pangelinan.

In mid-July the volunteers began Phase II at the American Memorial Park area, behind the Boating Safety building.

“Litter is an eye sore. It also contributes to the non-point source pollution that reaches to the lagoons which degrades our water quality. There are all kinds of other negative effects like closing down beaches informing the public on no fishing zone areas,” said Martin Castro, permit manager from Coastal Resources Management.

The project aims to reduce the uncontrolled flow of contaminated waste material, carcasses, and human waste into the northern lagoon, and to rid the shoreline of broken glass and other trash.

Many of the cleanup locations are in remote areas. “The one thing beautiful is that these volunteers are working hard in obscure locations. This group doesn’t care even if the public don’t see them, they still contribute to beautifying the islands,” said Pangelinan.

Castro said the volunteers still have many challenges ahead of them in terms of beautifying the island.

“It’s an on-going thing. There needs to be more public awareness, education, and support, so that we would reach a time when the issue will no longer be an issue,” he added.

EICOT is composed by various government agencies including the Coastal Resources Management Office, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Parks and Recreation; Department of Public Health, Department Public Safety, Department Commerce, Department Public Worksm the Marianas Visitors Authority; the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.; and the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

Other volunteer associations include non-profit Filipino organizations such as MOVER, POWER, Kampil, and Bicol Association.

“EICOT is here to stay. This organization is getting stronger each day,” said Pangelinan. (Cassie DLG Fejeran)