CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Friday urged residents here to practice proper waste management during the regional launch of the Pinas: The Basura Buster, a mascot meant to educate the public on ecological solid waste management.

DENR Undersecretary for Luzon, Visayas and Environment Juan Miguel Cuna said strengthening public awareness towards ESWM, along with the government's efforts to promote proper segregation at source would free esteros and rivers from waste and other pollutants.

"I call on everyone's support in this endeavor of making all communities in Region 3 trash-free. Let us all work in the spirit of solidarity, and collectively pledge a commitment to reuse, recycle, and reduce our waste for a better future," Cuna urged.

Meanwhile, DENR Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service Director Khalil Bayam delivered a keynote message during the activity at SM City Clark, emphasizing that the Pinas Basura Buster Mobile application aims to strengthen values for proper waste segregation in line with the objectives of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

In a message delivered by DENR Region 3 Head Executive Assistant Glenn Paul Flores, Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno Jr. said the official launch of the PBB mascot aims to uphold the ideals of ESWM and sustainable management of trash.

"With the help of this new icon, our youth will rise to the challenge of ever-increasing solid waste and find creative ways of turning our trash into a resource," Moreno said.

Aside from officially introducing PBB to the public, the event was marked with the awarding ceremony of the Hirayang Kabataan Kontra Basura, the search for Central Luzon's best eco-youth organization.