EcoWaste slams 'out-of-control' littering during Nazareno 2025

Zero-waste advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition called out Thursday the “out-of-control littering” that occurred amid celebration for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

In a statement, the group said that there was an “unsightly trail of trash” that kept volunteers and waste workers exhausted amid the celebrations.

They also asked why there was no littering ban implemented during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno.

“While the authorities imposed a strict ban on guns and liquor to ensure peace and order, we could not help but wonder why the ban on littering — an environmental offense explicitly prohibited in national and local laws — was evidently not enforced during the conduct of the Traslacion,” said zero waste campaigner Ochie Tolentino.

“It is very disheartening to witness the unrestricted littering in a faith-oriented event amid the observance of the Zero Waste Month this January and as the 25th anniversary of Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, on January 26 approaches,” she added.

EcoWaste Coalition noted that participants of the Pahalik, Fiesta Misa Mayor, and overnight vigil at the Quirino Grandstand and Parade Ground failed to pick up their garbage, and that workers and volunteers had to clean the mess left behind by devotees. They noted the same situation in some streets of Quiapo.

According to the coalition, some of the garbage collected were sleeping materials, food-waste, urine-filled bottles, soiled diapers, plastics, cigarette butts, and even vapes.

It reminded the public that littering contributes to contamination of soil, air, and water, which can cause long-lasting effects on the environment.

“As our nation is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, we are challenged to integrate our duty to care for God's creation in all aspects of our lives, including in the celebration of our faith," the group said.

Earlier, the group organized a public call at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in a bid for a “cleaner Traslacion.”

The coalition asked devotees to keep the procession route litter-free during the celebration, conducted a mini-parade and clean-up in the vicinity of the Quiapo Church, and recited a "Panalangin ng Bayan" for the well-being of devotees and the planet Earth.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News