An environmental advocacy group, the EcoWaste Coalition, expressed deep concern over the rampant littering that marred the Feast of Jesus Nazarene, leaving government waste workers and volunteers overwhelmed. The event, which took place on January 9, 2025, saw a trail of trash stretching 5.8 kilometers from Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila.
Ochie Tolentino, a Zero Waste Campaigner for the EcoWaste Coalition, highlighted the irony of the situation. Despite strict bans on guns and liquor to maintain peace and order, the enforcement of littering bans, which are illegal under national and local laws, was noticeably absent during the Traslacion. This lack of enforcement was particularly disheartening as it occurred during Zero Waste Month and just before the 25th anniversary of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The festivities, including the ‘Pahalik,’ Fiesta Misa Mayor, and an overnight vigil, attracted numerous devotees to Rizal Park, where litter was left strewn across the ground. Cleanup efforts were undertaken by government workers from Manila’s Department of Public Services, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and the National Parks Development Committee, alongside volunteers from the EcoWaste Coalition and its partners from Barangays 655 and 657, as well as Phileco personnel.
Informal waste workers also played a role by collecting recyclables left by the devotees in various locations. The Basura Patrollers from the group reported finding a variety of waste, including sleeping materials, food waste, urine-filled bottles, soiled diapers, and numerous disposable plastics such as bottles, ‘labo,’ polystyrene food containers, cutlery, and sachets. Additionally, cigarette butts and vapes were found, despite the park’s no-smoking and no-vaping policy.
The group also noted that some areas in Quiapo were heavily littered with plastic garbage. In response, the EcoWaste Coalition gathered outside the Quiapo Church on Tuesday to advocate for an ‘ecological Traslacion,’ urging reduced use and disposal of single-use plastics during the feast.
The group warned that littering not only contaminates soil, air, and water but also poses a threat to living organisms in rivers and oceans. They emphasized the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, calling on Filipinos to incorporate environmental care into all aspects of life, including religious celebrations.