SSC Community Unites for Coastal Clean-Up in Celebration International Coastal Clean-up / Zero Emission Day and 125th Philippines Civil Service Anniversary

In line with the celebration of International Coastal Clean-up / Zero Emission Day and 125th Philippines Civil Service Anniversary, Siquijor State College is empowered to take meaningful action through Coastal Clean-up Activity with partnership with MLGU Enrique Villanueva, BLGU Bitaug, Bitaug Farmers Association (BITFA) and Wildlife Conservation Society at Barangay Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva on September 19, 2025, guided by the theme: “Baya’t Kawani Lingkod Bayani, Puso, Danggal at Galing Para sa Bayan.“

On behalf of Barangay Bitaug Official, Mrs. Ninfa Magdali, Barangay Kagawad had expressed her gratitude for choosing their barangay to have this meaningful event to help them in maintaining the cleanliness of their own barangay.

The SSC community were all ears as the topics on Marine Wildlife Conservation and the Role of Coastal Communities Orientation on Clean – up Protocols, Safety Guidelines and Waste Segregation were delivered by the resource speaker, Atty. Kristine Joy P. Argallon, Policy and Safeguards Specialist Wildlife Conservation Society.

Atty. Argallon expressed her joy seeing the college conduct activity in Barangay Bitaug as it was recognized as a baby Marine Protected Area (MPA) among the other MPAs in the province. Moreover, important and timely discussions took over the program with the light atmosphere vibe. Some faculty and staff raised questions making the discussion more interactive.

The SSC community working under the  morning heat yet smiling, organized the collection and segregation of waste into categories; biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclables, through group division and assignment. Afterward, the collected waste was weighed and tallied, with SSC ultimately collecting a total of 564.3 kg of garbage.

With the guidance and support of SUC President II, Dr. Steven J. Sumaylo, delivered a brief yet impactful message emphasizing the importance of cleanliness, beginning within SSC. He addressed the timely issue of waste management, particularly in the college’s garbage area. Dr. Sumaylo challenged everyone to take proactive steps in waste segregation and to reduce the growing volume of trash on campus. He also encouraged initiatives through research that could benefit the institution and also support the province of Siquijor, especially as its tourism industry continues to flourish.

“Since we come here as one family, we need to examine ourselves as to whether we had really done that in SSC. I do believe that we could never give what we don’t have. We could not share what we don’t have. Therefore, It would be pointless cleaning areas outside SSC if our very own area is not that clean and not observing the proper waste segregation. It must start with our very own Siquijor State College.” reflected by Dr. Sumaylo.

The event won’t be successful without the tireless effort of the Extension Office headed by Extension Director, Mrs. Philna S. Palongpalong, in which the SSC community brought home valuable lessons and memories.  The Coastal Clean-up Activity  is a reminder that just as SSC civil servants work to serve the public, they all have a duty to care for the environment. Through this effort, SSC aims to inspire a spirit of collaboration and environmental consciousness that extends beyond this event and into our everyday actions.