ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Davao Bureau) – Ordinary Filipino citizens made headlines last weekend when thousands upon thousands of volunteers trooped to Manila Bay as part of the clean-up of the polluted water.  Proof that when there is inaction on the part of their government, citizens are more than willing to step up.

What the news media missed this weekend was an offer made by vinta owners in Zamboanga and other parts of Mindanao to use their colorful paddle boats to load the imported trash from Canada and return it to the exporter.

The imported Canadian trash which arrived years ago at the Port of Manila has been a contentious issue between the Philippine and Canadian governments.  The trash, shipped in containers to the Philippines under the guise of recyclable plastics, actually contained objectionable items, including used diapers and medical waste.

In speaking with The Adobo Chronicles, the vinta owners said that they are determined to help resolve the garbage issue, however long it takes for them to cross the Pacific Ocean enroute to North America.

The vinta owners’ only request is that they be escorted in their journey by the Philippine Coastguard.