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Susupe Lake cleanup continues for MOVER
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Posted on Jan 15 2006
Volunteers from non-profit group MOVER got surprised that the trash they found within the mangrove area by the road leading to the Susupe Lake included not just household, but also other wastes—used tires, a junk vehicle, and junk appliances such as refrigerator.
“This dumping site is worse than we expected,” said MOVER vice president for internal affairs Ruperto Magtapat.
With 38 volunteers joining yesterday’s cleanup efforts, MOVER packed some 20 bags of household trash and piled other wastes such as used tires.
No anti-littering sign stood at the site that has become an illegal dumping site since years ago.
MOVER urged the Saipan Mayor’s Office and other government agencies to haul trash they bagged and piled on the roadside of Hagoi Road, where tourists pass by when touring the scenic Susupe Lake.
Yesterday’s activity became MOVER’s second Sunday to clean up the mangrove area by Hagoi Road in Susupe, a project funded by a $5,000-grant from Mobil Oil Mariana Islands, Inc. In the past, Mobil also gave grants to MOVER for the cleanup of stormwater drainages along Saipan’s western shores.
In the new project, MOVER would be cleaning up stormwater drainages and dumping sites on Hagoi Drive—from the intersection of Texas Road to the end of the road near the lake–and the Tun Joaquin Road in Chalan Kanoa.
After the morning cleanup, volunteers enjoyed picnic lunch and refreshments funded by House Speaker Oscar Babauta and Rep. Jesus Lizama.
MOVER also thanked former Environmental Interagency Cleanup Operation Team chairman Benny Pangelinan, who has been helping the group solicit logistical and financial support from government officials and private companies in its cleanup projects. The group also thanked the Division of Environmental Quality, which provided hand gloves and trash bags to the volunteers.
