Disposable face masks wash up on shore of Subic Bay

Volunteers in Subic Bay Freeport collect wastes and storm debris that washed up on shore. (Photo courtesy of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A large amount of disposable face masks were among the waste materials collected during a coastal cleanup along the shoreline of this free port on Friday, Sept. 17.

Over 200 volunteers from locator companies, community groups and departments of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) joined the annual event as part of the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day.

The activity was cancelled last year due to the ongoing quarantine restrictions.

“This time we allowed it but on condition that the activities be undertaken with strict observance of health and safety protocols,” said Wilma Eisma,SBMA chair and administrator, in a statement.

Aside from face masks, the volunteers also collected plastic bottles, Styrofoam cups, food packets, and rubber slippers from the shoreline.

The cleanup was also part of the celebration of “Biay Dagat,” a mini-festival launched in 2019 to promote environmental protection.

“Despite the pandemic, there is still a need to protect the environment because a healthy environment is proven to be a big factor to the healing process, and we need that now more than ever,” Eisma said. INQ