DENR 7 Urges Public to Reduce Wastes During All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has urged the public to reduce their garbage, especially those that are not recyclable and biodegradable, during the observance of “All Saint’s and All Soul’s” Day on November 1 and 2.

DENR 7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo appealed to the cemetery administrators and the local government units (LGUs) to provide strategically located waste receptacles that would, at the same time, encourage segregation of trash.

Vendors in cemeteries should also avoid wastes piling up in the cemeteries, Montejo said.

Filipinos are expected to troop to the cemeteries during the weekend to pay homage to their departed loved ones.

Montejo urged those who go to the cemeteries to bring separate trash bags for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and minimize trash by using re-usable utensils.

Montejo said this will reduce garbage, mostly plastics, which will end up in esteros, canals and rivers and even causing the drainage systems to clog up.

He also urged the public to bring only sufficient amount of food and drinks to be placed in reusable or recyclable containers, bring home any leftovers for reheating, pet food, or compost material and place candles in glass containers which are reusable and to avoid risk of fire.

“Visiting the cemeteries is a valued and cherished tradition among Filipinos as we pray for the eternal repose of the souls and while pray for them, we should also take an extra effort to preserve the environment for the well-being of the living,” Montejo said.

“We must be very mindful on the risks of uncollected and unsegregated wastes which are left spread on the streets or in open lots as they clog our rivers and esteros, inviting danger to the health and safety of the communities,” he said. (PNA) CTB/EB/RSM