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Volunteers lament illegal dumping on drainages
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Posted on Oct 03 2004
Volunteer groups lamented the apparent deliberate dumping of household trash on stormwater drainages, noting that the wastes they remove from the waterways included those packed in bags.
The non-profit groups affiliated with the Environmental Interagency Cleanup Operation Team noticed the eyesores and environmental hazards during their cleanup of stormwater drainages in northern Saipan, particularly in Tanapag drainages.
EICOT chairman Benny Pangelinan said the wastes also included metals and some car parts.
“We are calling on the public to stop dumping trash on drainages,” Pangelinan said.
He also said that there were establishments that have wastewater pipes diverted to the drainages, further degrading the runoff’s polluted condition. The runoff ultimately flows to beach waters, impacting marine water quality.
Some 80 volunteers from groups MOVER, KAMPIL, POWER, and Bicol Association rolled their sleeves once again yesterday to pick up trash from drainages and beach sites in Achugao.
The activity is part of the drainage cleanup project mainly financed by a $5,000-grant from Mobil Oil Mariana Islands. Yesterday’s cleanup became the ninth Sunday that volunteers have been ridding drainages and beach sites of trash. The project covers drainages and beaches from Garapan to San Roque.
Pangelinan said the next focus of the cleanup project is San Roque. He said the project could take two more Sundays.
EICOT and the volunteer groups thanked donors providing them logistical support, particularly food and refreshments. Yesterday’s donors included House minority leader Heinz Hofschneider, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, Coastal Resources Management Office, Pacific Trading, and DFS Galleria. Pangelinan also said anonymous donors made their contributions to the volunteers through Senate sergeant-at-arms Ray Sablan.
The cleanup project has mustered support from different sectors, including local residents. Two Sundays ago, some students from the Marianas High School participated in the effort.
