By Maico Eljames P. Labis
Contributor
MORE than 100 students and volunteers mobilized on March 7 to clear clogged canals in Barangay Pagatpat, emphasizing the need for better waste management practices.
The initiative, part of Phinma-Cagayan de Oro College’s Clean Flow Initiative, was conducted in partnership with the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office and barangay officials.
It aimed to address plastic pollution and poor waste segregation — persistent issues in urban communities.
Teachers Hannah Savariz and Nikko James Balighot coordinated the event, ensuring logistics and resources were in place. Leading the initiative was student Zyrah Bustaliño, the pioneer of the Clean Flow Project, whose goal was to instill a deeper sense of responsibility for waste management.
The clean-up began early as students from FA1-HUMSS-01 and FA1-HUMSS-02 gathered at their campus before heading to the barangay covered court. By 7:20 am, they set to work, removing plastic waste, leaves, and debris from drainage systems. In just over an hour, significant portions of the canals were cleared.
Barangay Chairman Achilles Babaran welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility.
He also thanked Phinma-Cagayan de Oro College for donating trash bins, which he said would serve as a reminder for the community to manage waste properly.
A symposium followed, led by solid waste management advocate Jorina Lood, who challenged attendees to improve waste segregation and pursue zero-waste goals.
She pointed out the economic potential of recycling and warned against practices like burning trash and overusing single-use plastics.
The event underscored the need for sustained community-driven waste management solutions. While students and officials recognized the impact of the initiative, they stressed that true change requires long-term commitment beyond a single clean-up drive.
For many volunteers, the experience was eye-opening.
“Seeing all this waste firsthand made me realize that if we don’t change our habits, we’ll just keep cleaning up the same mess over and over,” said student participant Aeron Silverstee.
With waste mismanagement remaining a challenge, advocates urge communities to take responsibility and push for systemic reforms in waste segregation and disposal.
