ILOILO – With tens of thousands of revelers expected to flock to Iloilo City and Kalibo, Aklan for the Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan festivals, respectively this January, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 sounded the alarm on a looming waste surge and called for stricter waste segregation and reduced plastic use to prevent environmental damage during the celebrations.
DENR-6 urged both residents and tourists to take personal responsibility for their trash, stressing that festival traditions should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.
The agency cited past festivals where massive volumes of garbage were left behind, overwhelming cleanup crews and landfill facilities.
“This year, as we celebrate our cultural and religious identity, we must also prioritize the health of our environment. Let us not forget that our actions reflect our values as a community,” DENR-6 said.
“Proper waste management is a shared responsibility, and we must do our part to ensure that our festivals remain true to our Ilonggo pride,” it added.
The agency underscored the importance of waste segregation, instructing festival-goers to properly classify their trash into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable materials to improve collection efficiency and reduce landfill waste.
To support this effort, DENR-6 said designated trash bins will be strategically placed along busy streets and key judging areas, making it easier for the public to dispose of garbage correctly.
Biodegradable waste such as food scraps, non-biodegradable items like plastic wrappers, and recyclables including bottles and cans must be placed in their respective bins.
Beyond segregation, DENR-6 is also pushing for a reduction in single-use plastics, encouraging attendees to bring reusable water bottles and shopping bags when buying food and souvenirs.
The call comes after the agency reported that more than 82 tons of waste were collected during the three-day highlights of last year’s Dinagyang Festival.
While exact figures for Ati-Atihan were unavailable, DENR-6 noted that complaints about excessive litter in festival areas were widespread.
DENR-6 expressed hope that stronger community cooperation this year would lead to cleaner, greener celebrations, proving that Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan can be enjoyed without leaving behind mountains of trash that tarnish Iloilo’s image and burden the environment./PN
