Trash haul threatens Zambales wetland

NATURAL RESIDENT A kingfisher perches on a twig along the shallows of Alindayat Lake in Candelaria town, Zambales, highlighting the rich biodiversity that thrives in the freshwater wetland amid ongoing conservation efforts. —Photo from Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Luzon

SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES—Seven sacks of trash, mostly single-use plastics, such as candy wrappers, grocery bags, sachets and beverage bottles, were collected from Alindayat Lake, a freshwater wetland in Candelaria town in this province, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

Organized by the community environment and natural resources office in Masinloc, in observance of World Wetlands Day, the Feb. 13 cleanup showed the growing pressure of plastic waste on freshwater ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and communities, according to the DENR.

Plastics discarded upstream or along the lakeshore can accumulate in the water, where they are ingested by fish and other organisms, posing risks to biodiversity and human health.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo noted that the lake, which is located in Barangay Yamot, is recognized under the DENR’s Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program for its critical role in fisheries, water regulation and flood control.

Spanning about 63.53 hectares, Alindayat Lake is one of three wetlands in the municipality—a living system that helps regulate water, supports fisheries and provides habitat for wildlife.

During the activity, participants paused between waste collection to observe the lake’s natural residents.

Community link

Kingfishers darted across the water’s surface, while egrets stood motionless along the shallows—reminders of what is at stake when waste accumulates in freshwater ecosystems.

Beyond the physical cleanup, the activity included an environmental lecture about the link between wetlands and community resilience.

Participants also joined a bird-watching session, documenting species, such as swallows and birds of prey that depend on intact wetland habitats.

The event drew 69 participants from government agencies, security forces, private companies and local communities.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on Feb. 2. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

This year, it carried the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” highlighting the connection between wetland protection and local cultural practices.