Workers with disabilities and senior citizens in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held a cleanup activity at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on September 14 in support of the local celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2022.

With the theme “Where Coastal Cleanup, Special Treats and Selling of PWDs Eco-Friendly Handicrafts Jam Together,” the cleanup activity was part of a two-day event led by the Persons with Disability (PWD) Desk of the DENR-Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS).

The activity supported this year’s ICC Day, with the theme “Fighting for Trash-Free Seas, Pilipinas!” and the Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week observed annually from September 16 to 22.

“We strongly believe that all of our employees, especially our senior citizens and PWDs, should have the same opportunity to engage in our advocacy efforts. This is largely in part of our commitment to an inclusive workplace,” said DENR-SCIS Director Khalil S. Bayam.

The DENR has been at the forefront of encouraging its employees and various stakeholders from all sectors to join the ICC since its proclamation in 2003 with the aim of making water bodies free of litter, raising awareness on marine pollution, and influencing behavior change among the public.

The DENR was joined by coastal cleanup volunteers from the Pasig City Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and the Philippine National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Lady Warriors – under the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled – where one of its members is DENR-SCIS employee Cathreen Gem Tanyag.

On September 16, the DENR provided its PWD employees and senior citizens, and all DENR employees with special treats such as haircut, body and back massage, and manicure and pedicure through the Honorio MC Lopez Technical Institute, and sold a variety of PWD eco-friendly products from Caloocan PWD Zone Association and San Mateo Rizal PDAO.###