DINAPIGUE, ISABELA — Employees of Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC), joined by local residents and government representatives, kicked off this year’s Environment Month with a community-wide plogging activity that collected 617 kilos of trash along a three-kilometer route.

“Plogging” is a Swedish word that combines “jogging” and “picking up trash.” DMC initiated this activity to promote both environmental care and health. It aims to engage stakeholders, especially mining communities, in adopting sustainable habits that are essential for a future free from plastic pollution.

Collected waste included various plastic items, PET bottles, tin cans, and styrofoam.

“Simple po ang mensahe namin mula sa communities – ang maayos na pangangasiwa ng basura ay pagmamalasakit sa kalikasan, kami sa mga barangay gusto namin pangalagaan ang kapaligiran at sama-sama kami sa ganitong pagkakataon, susuporta kami basta para sa proteksyon ng kalikasan,” said Barangay Captain Concepcion Donato.

The activity was supported by volunteers from all four barangays of the municipality, along with representatives from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Sub-Office in Palanan, the Municipal Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and DMC employees.

DMC Environment Manager Jomar Bravo emphasized the role of community engagement in addressing plastic waste. “The simple act of picking trash can lead to the appreciation of the dynamics of where these trash came from and where they may end up when not properly managed, and this can empower communities and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility that can lead to a movement to fight pollution and care for the environment,” Bravo said.

Located in the northeastern Luzon town of Dinapigue, Isabela, DMC maintains a long-term strategy that integrates environmental stewardship, community development, and cultural sensitivity as part of its commitment to sustainable progress.