DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao — As Public Servants and Stewards of Environment, the Al-Khalifa of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM and the Bangsamoro Government gathered together in beating marine pollution through a massive cleanup drive along the coastal area of Brgy. Badak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on 28 September 2021.

Being the Al-Khalifa or stewards of this God-bestowed nature, the MENRE conducted the coastal cleanup activity in partnership with the Civil Service Commission for BARMM and in a joint celebration of International Coastal Cleanup and the culmination of the 121st Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.

“In understanding and beating marine pollution, we need to be exposed to the needs of our coastal areas and participate in activities that foster a clean and healthy marine ecosystem,” MENRE Deputy Minister Akmad A. Brahim said.

Representatives from different Bangsamoro Ministries and Offices joined efforts in collecting marine debris and trash from Dalisay Beach Resort to Happy Beach Resort in the said barangay, reaching up to 500 meters of the coastal area.

“Remember the two Cs as we participate in this activity. Collect and Connect. To collect what pollutes our coastal areas and to connect as we altogether act against marine pollution,” CSC for BARMM Director Dominador E. Gonzalez said.

The participants manifested the meaning of the International Coastal Cleanup 2021 theme: “Understand and Beat Marine Pollution,” and the 121st PH CSC Anniversary theme: “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant-Heroes.” Inspired by the two messages they bear, the one-day activity at Brgy. Badak carries a single, combined theme: “Public Servants and Stewards of Environment: We Are The Solution to Marine Pollution.”

Toyong, one of Dalisay Beach Resort’s caretakers, said that they also conduct regular cleaning and maintenance of their coastal area considering that people still visit the resort for leisure, but of course, following the minimum health standards in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kailangang malinis ito para matuwa rin ang mga tao na malinis ang kapaligiran nila,” he said.

Joining the Regional Office of the Environment Ministry and other BARMM Ministries were the employees and Al-Khalifa of the Provincial ENRE Office of Maguindanao, Bureau of Fire Protection, and BARMM Human Resource Management Practitioners’ (HRMP) Council—all acting together as servant-heroes for the public and the Bangsamoro environment.