12/05/2026
CENRO Barotac Nuevo Celebrates the Month of the Ocean 2026!
In observance of the Month of the Ocean this May 2026, CENRO Barotac Nuevo spearheaded a coastal clean-up at Brgy. Dacutan, Dumangas, Iloilo. Guided by the theme, "Sustaining Ocean Health, Sailing Resilient Nation: Sa karagatang masigla, Kaya natin!", the initiative brought together a diverse group of 78 participants, composed of 36 males and 42 females. This multi-sectoral effort saw active involvement from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Air Force, and the 552nd IB of the Philippine Army, alongside the MENRO Dumangas staff, Barangay Dacutan officials, local Tanods, and 4Ps beneficiaries.
The activity commenced with a brief orientation program to discuss with the participants the ecological importance of the event. During this session, CENRO Barotac Nuevo CDS personnel discussed the critical role of each stakeholder in conservation and then provided technical instructions on the proper segregation of waste. Volunteers were also briefed on how to accurately fill out trash monitoring forms to ensure the data collected could inform future environmental policies.
The cleanup operation proved highly productive, resulting in the collection of 51 sacks of marine debris with a total weight of 265 kilograms. An analysis of the waste revealed that the most prevalent items were plastic cups, food packaging, PET bottles, and Styrofoam fragmentsโthe latter largely originating from local fishing supplies. Additionally, volunteers recovered a concerning variety of non-biodegradable items, including plastic caps, glass bottles, disposable diapers, PVC pipes, fishing nets, rubber slippers, and lighters.
By removing these pollutants, the activity not only improved the immediate health of the Dumangas coastline but also reinforced the spirit of bayanihan among the agencies and the community. This activity reaffirms our commitment to maintaining vibrant oceans and building a more resilient, environmentally conscious nation.
