CH to launch ‘coastal biofence’ project tomorrow

The Cebu City government is set to launch the “coastal biofence” project tomorrow in time for the 33rd International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).

The biofences, which are made of recycled plastic bottles wired together and wrapped in fishnets, would soon be installed on riverbanks and other waterways in the city to prevent garbage from reaching the coastal area.

Each biofence is about 10 meters long and half-a-meter wide and costs around P1,000, according to Cebu City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO).

CCENRO Chief Nida Cabrera said the launching is scheduled at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Barangays Ermita, Pasil, Suba, and Mambaling are the pilot areas for the biofence project.

Each village will have six to 10 coastal biofences. Also, CCENRO plans to put up biofences in bodies of water in the city before the year ends.

Cabrera said the garbage trapped on biofences will be collected on a daily basis.

“Ang mga plastic ug mga laing basura nga nag lutaw sa dagat, masangit na didto sa net sa biofence,” she said.

She said garbage pickers will benefit the city’s Basura Mo, Sardinas Ko program.

Under the program, a resident gets two cans of sardines for every sack of garbage and one can for a bagful of garbage.

To check if it can withstand strong current, the CCENRO tested a prototype of the biofence on the waters of the Pasil fish port on September 6.

“Maka-trap siya og mga basura but kinahanglan i-improve aron modaghan ang makuha nga trash,” Cabrera said.

As for tomorrow’s coastal cleanup, City Hall departments, private sectors, non-government organizations, biology students from different schools, and Philippine Coast Guard, among others are expected to participate in the annual event.

“They are assigned in different barangays. Motabang sila to pick up garbage sa coastal areas, rivers and drainage,” Cabrera said.