“Plogging” has become so popular especially in social media because it is unique and it hits “two birds with one stone”, so to speak – that is, it combines fitness with the expression of love for the environment.

Plogging, as many of us are beginning to find out, is jogging while picking up trash, an activity that started in Sweden.

The idea to do plogging NAC-wide, as one way to celebrate the 2018 International Environment Day, quickly became an interesting plan because at NAC are some of the most enthusiastic advocates and supporters of campaigns pertaining to caring and protecting the environment.

First broached by Lira Poralan, head of the office communications team of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), the idea was quickly picked up by members of the environment groups from most of the operating companies (OpCos) of NAC.

Most of them were hearing of “plogging” for the first time, but they agreed it made sense since they have been doing clean-ups and fun runs for years every time the month of June comes up, which is the declared environment month.

Poralan said the activity sought to raise awareness on the harm that irresponsible garbage disposal can cause to the environment.

“The message really is to be conscious of being responsible for our litter; that protection of the environment is a choice, a mind set, a collective commitment,” Poralan said.

The preps for the event were smooth and easy because of the wide interest and keen support from employees.

The event was planned, budgeted, and approved within a short period and in three weeks all was set for the first-ever NAC-wide plogging on June 5, the exact date declared as the International Environment Day.

Simultaneously, a similar plogging event was being done in two other non-operational NAC mining companies, at Dinapigue Mining Corporation in Isabela and at the Manicani Nickel Project in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Butch Sebua, Environment Manager at Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC), registered the event with the United Nation Environment Day celebration website, ensuring that the efforts of NAC employees in jogging while picking up trash (that gathered about 1,500 kilos of garbage under a 2-hour, 10K run) is recorded as part of a worldwide effort.

Robert Francisco, Environment Manager at Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), brought along some TMC guests to the run – Lantaka Study Center in Quezon City – who were holding a camp work and immersion at the mine site during the time.

Phoebe Alac, Environment Manager at Cagdianao Mining Corporation (CMC), ensured that some CMC scholars also took part in the event which made the activity even more special for the teens who gamely ran and picked up trash despite the uncooperative weather.

Other support groups that joined NAC during the plogging were the Surigao Runners Club; React Miners, a non-government organization in Surigao; the TMC Emergency Response Team; the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO); the Bugsay Marajao group; and the ever-reliable traffic and health officers of Surigao City.

The NAC-wide plogging was so successful that a repeat for next year is already being planned.