MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered Cove Manila to stop their planned “largest balloon drop” event, an attempt to break the world record.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has called the attention of the event organizers of Cove Manila's New Year Eve countdown party emphasizing the immense waste the event will produce.
Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, DENR spokesperson also gave a stern warning that arrests and charges will be made if the popular beach club pushes through with their plans. Antiporda said that a “solid waste disaster is waiting to happen.”
READ: #DropBalloonDrop: “Econetizens”, celebrities slam Cove Manila's largest balloon drop event
Okada Manila's indoor beach club and night club plans to release 130,000 balloons indoor as an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest balloon drop. Econetizens have been slamming the even calling it as “largest trash dump.”
Cove Manila has issued another statement clarifying their stand on the controversial event. On their Facebook page, Cove Manila stated that they will still push through with their event noting that the balloons used are biodegradable and will degrade over time. They also assured that there will be people to properly handle the waste disposal of the balloons. Lastly, the posh beach club also stated that all the balloons used will be recycled.
Cove Manila also noted how protecting the environment is “one of the pillars” of Okada Manila's corporate social responsibility. They reiterated that their event is not just to play with balloons but “an earnest effort not only to make a new world record for the country, but also to demonstrate that we can have a lot of fun but still remain responsible.”
But DENR Usec Antiporda isn't convinced, he said, “Even if the organizers continue to hold the event indoor, because there were reports that they have shifted to do it inside Okada, our DENR personnel will be physically present there to monitor the disposal of those balloons and at the same time implement immediate action against violators.”
Antiporda also clarified that there's no such thing as “biodegradable” balloons because it will only turn into microplastic that eventually endangers the wildlife creatures in the sea.
UPDATE: After the talk with DENR representatives, Okada Manila decided not to push through the balloon drop event, "the management of Okada Manila has voluntarily decided to cancel the Balloon Drop event as a sign of respect to the DENR’s recommendation and in support of the Government’s campaign to protect and save the environment."
— Sally, The Summit Express
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has called the attention of the event organizers of Cove Manila's New Year Eve countdown party emphasizing the immense waste the event will produce.
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| DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu orders a stop on Cove Manila’s “largest balloon drop” event | Photo Courtesy: Faceboook/DENR |
Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, DENR spokesperson also gave a stern warning that arrests and charges will be made if the popular beach club pushes through with their plans. Antiporda said that a “solid waste disaster is waiting to happen.”
READ: #DropBalloonDrop: “Econetizens”, celebrities slam Cove Manila's largest balloon drop event
Okada Manila's indoor beach club and night club plans to release 130,000 balloons indoor as an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest balloon drop. Econetizens have been slamming the even calling it as “largest trash dump.”
Cove Manila has issued another statement clarifying their stand on the controversial event. On their Facebook page, Cove Manila stated that they will still push through with their event noting that the balloons used are biodegradable and will degrade over time. They also assured that there will be people to properly handle the waste disposal of the balloons. Lastly, the posh beach club also stated that all the balloons used will be recycled.
Cove Manila also noted how protecting the environment is “one of the pillars” of Okada Manila's corporate social responsibility. They reiterated that their event is not just to play with balloons but “an earnest effort not only to make a new world record for the country, but also to demonstrate that we can have a lot of fun but still remain responsible.”
But DENR Usec Antiporda isn't convinced, he said, “Even if the organizers continue to hold the event indoor, because there were reports that they have shifted to do it inside Okada, our DENR personnel will be physically present there to monitor the disposal of those balloons and at the same time implement immediate action against violators.”
Antiporda also clarified that there's no such thing as “biodegradable” balloons because it will only turn into microplastic that eventually endangers the wildlife creatures in the sea.
UPDATE: After the talk with DENR representatives, Okada Manila decided not to push through the balloon drop event, "the management of Okada Manila has voluntarily decided to cancel the Balloon Drop event as a sign of respect to the DENR’s recommendation and in support of the Government’s campaign to protect and save the environment."
— Sally, The Summit Express
