Eco Kolek, local gov't conduct drainage clean-up in Puerto Princesa to mitigate flood risks

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — To mitigate localized flood risks and improve urban sanitation, Project Zacchaeus (PZC), through its Eco Kolek program, spearheaded an 80-person community clean-up drive in Barangay Sicsican on March 27.

The three-hour environmental operation focused specifically on clearing public drainage systems within Purok Mahogany. Prior to the physical clean-up, participants convened at the Barangay Sicsican Gymnasium for a technical orientation, which outlined safety protocols, proper waste segregation standards, and designated operational zones.

The mobilization brought together a diverse, multi-sectoral coalition. The deployment included 25 professionalized Eco Warriors, 10 PZC administrative and operations personnel, and 35 community residents. They were also joined by five officials from the Sicsican Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) and five representatives from the city’s Oplan Linis program.

Addressing flood vulnerabilities

Equipped with standard sanitary gear, the teams targeted clogged drainage canals and public pathways. The primary objective was the immediate removal of solid waste blockages that historically contribute to flooding in the residential area during heavy downpours.

According to the PZC post-activity operations report, the clean-up drive functions beyond mere aesthetic improvement; it serves as a critical operational extension of Eco Kolek's ongoing circular economy and behavioral change campaign in Purok Mahogany.

Eco Warriors as environmental models

The strategic deployment of the certified Eco Warriors was designed to provide a visible standard of environmental discipline. By working alongside household members, the professional waste workers modeled proper disposal and segregation practices, aiming to instill long-term ecological awareness at the grassroots level.

The joint participation of municipal programs, barangay leadership, and private citizens underscores a systemic shift in urban sanitation. Program organizers noted that the collaborative effort effectively transitions the burden of waste management from isolated individual households to a highly coordinated, community-wide governance model.