Armed with a shared passion for protecting the environment, 34 volunteers from GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) embarked on a vital mission – a coastal cleanup along the Sitio Aguawan riverbank in Barangay Sisiman, Mariveles, Bataan last May 23.
Aptly falling under GMEC’s flagship program P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S.’ “Protect Marine Life” arm and the TUGON branding, the initiative was a powerful testament to the company’s commitment to a cleaner and healthier future. TUGON meant a response to the call to sustain the environment for a safer future.
P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. stands for Protect marine life, Reforest Land, Optimize wealth from waste, Generate livelihood skills and income, Rehabilitate social infrastructure, Elevate educational opportunities, Safeguard quality health access, and Strengthen disaster resiliency.
The crisp morning air buzzed with activity as volunteers, walking through the rocky freshwater river, diligently collected a staggering 122 kilograms of trash. Filling 16 bags in a determined effort, they covered a significant half-kilometer stretch of the riverbank.
Regil Kent Tumacas, a GMEC volunteer from the Operating department, highlighted the importance of proactive measures, saying, “Let’s get ahead of the rainy season. A crucial step in keeping our oceans clean is to start at the source – the rivers.”
Em Perlas, another volunteer, this time from the Maintenance department, echoed this sentiment, urging personal responsibility: “Don’t wait for someone else to clean up the mess. Be the change you want to see. Coastal cleanups are small efforts with a big impact.”
Diego (right, back to the camera)
Aguawan watch.
Operating department supervisor Art Mercado’s words resonated with the spirit of the day: “If a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then picking up one piece of trash in a river can save an entire ocean.”
This impactful cleanup serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the power of collective action in protecting our precious marine ecosystems. By starting upstream, GMEC and its partners are making a real difference, ensuring a healthier future for our waterways and the marine life that calls them home.
