Trash-lacion: EcoWaste Coalition decries garbage left along procession route

Photo from EcoWaste Coalition

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition lamented on Wednesday that their plea for a trash-free Traslacion fell on “deaf ears” as piles of garbage were left along the procession route on Wednesday.

“Our public appeal for a trash-less Traslacion has again fallen on deaf ears. Many people unashamedly threw their garbage anywhere turning the parade ground fronting the Quirino Grandstand into a dumping ground,” Daniel Alejandre, zero waste campaigner, said in a statement.

The group said garbage such as “urine-filled plastic bottles, yucky diapers, mucky wipes, makeshift beddings, food containers and leftovers, spoiled pancit, cup noodles, instant coffee sachets and cigarette filters” were left behind at the Rizal Park shortly after the Black Nazarene carriage left the Quirino Grandstand for the procession.

Some of the families who stayed at the Rizal Park for an overnight vigil also left piles of trash, the group said.

“Families and barkadas who flocked to the park and even set up tents for the overnight vigil left piles of rubbish behind just like in previous years. There were many urine-filled PET bottles lying on the ground,” Alejandre said.

Photo from EcoWaste Coalition

The EcoWaste Coalition also reported that litter was “dreadful” in the Quiapo district.

Meanwhile, the group’s Basura Patrollers reported “rampant disposal of foam food containers in street corners and gutters” where devotees stayed to eat and rest.

The group, however, acknowledged members of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Manila’s Department of Public Services, and other volunteers who helped in cleaning the streets during the procession.

The group also lamented that tarpaulins promoting 2019 election candidates were put up on lamp posts, trees and in some of the prayer stations along the procession route, despite its earlier appeal not to politicize the religious event.

Photo from EcoWaste Coalition

READ: EcoWaste to politicians: Shun ‘tarpaulitics’ during Traslacion

“The blatant premature campaigning by some politicians was in bad taste. We doubt if they will earn pogi points for politicizing the Traslacion,” Alejandre said.

Days before the annual procession, the group already reminded the devotees to take waste prevention “seriously.” /ee

READ: Black Nazarene devotees urged to take waste prevention ‘seriously’

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