In celebration of Earth Day 2024 with the theme Planet vs. Plastics, together with the 8th Episode of the Save the Puerto Princesa Bays and the Launching of the PLASTIKALIKASAN Project that aims to ensure that the water bodies and aquatic resources will be free from any form of plastic pollution under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the community of Puerto Princesa gears up for a save the bay, scoop basura drive and a mud ball throwing at Purok Seaside II, Barangay Bagong Sikat. 

The program is participated by the Barangay Bagong Sikat community, private sectors,  members of the City and Provincial Mining Regulatory Board, non-government and government organizations, men in uniform such as BJMP, PNP, and Coast Guards, and with the active participation of the DENR-PENRO personnel. The esteemed presence of the DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director, RED Felix S. Mirasol, Jr., EMB Regional Director Joe Amila Salino, and the MGB Regional Director, Felizardo Gacad, Jr also graces it. 

The program started at 5 o'clock in the morning with 4 zumba dance performances by the participants led by the Banwa Dance and Arts group. In an opening remark, the Barangay Chairman of Barangay Bagong Sikat, Hon. Alberto Alib extended his gratitude to the City Government for its continuous support for the changes and growth of their Barangay. In a message delivered by RED Felix, he encourages everyone to have a firm determination to make change for the community and the environment. “With everybody on board, I believe that we can sustain this initiative…Alone we can do little, but together we can do the unimaginable things that we can do together. It’s much more if we can do [it] together,” RED Mirasol, Jr. said. 

In his environmental message, MGB Regional Director Felizardo Gacad, Jr. reminded everyone to unite as one in protecting the environment and to stay true to our actions and words. Moreover, EMB Regional Director Salino highlighted in his message the importance of lessening our plastics consumption and proper waste disposal. He also stated that initiatives in protecting the environment should start in our homes, it is not only a sole responsibility of the government but a responsibility each of us bears. 

The Save the Bay project was first launched in July 2023 and initiated by the City Mayor together with the city and barangay officials and stakeholders where the community will come together for simultaneous activities such as scoop ng basura at mud ball throwing in the water bodies. A mud ball was thrown at the seaside of the Purok by the participants with the DENR RED, EMB RD, and  MGB RD concluding the program. Mudball throwing is a microorganism composed of clay soil, rice bran, charcoal powder, molasses, and activated EM solution that purifies raw water.