A youth group in Lipa City, Batangas, visited several hair salons in Lipa City, not for haircuts, but to collect hair clippings.

Their goal is to gather hair to aid in the cleanup of the oil spill caused by the sinking of a motor tanker in Bataan.

"Base na rin po sa mga researches namin, maganda ang naitutulong ng hairstrand pagdating sa oil spill. Mas kumakapit daw po 'yung oil sa ating hair strand, so kahit lightweight siya, maganda siyang pangkuha ng oil," Ian Grande, the volunteer youth head of the hair donation drive, said.

The group aims to collect 20 kilograms of hair clippings.

Despite this being their first such project, they are confident that they will gather enough hair to fill several sacks.

Nicko Inoc, a salon owner, supports their initiative.

"Para malinis din 'yung kung ano mang dapat linisin doon para sa dagat... mas maganda 'yan kasi kahanga-hanga 'yung ginawa ng kabataan ngayon," Inoc said.

Grande said when they checked salons in the area, some already had hair clippings prepared for them.

"Nag-check kami kung saan 'yung area ng mga salon dito, and then nu'ng binisita namin sila, may mga hairstrand na silang prepared din po pala," he said.

The group is calling on barbershops and salons to join their effort. They can be contacted at 0955-367-3430 for donations. 

They are also seeking cash assistance to support the affected communities.

The collected hair will be sent to Bataan on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.