Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape celebrates International Coastal Cleanup 2020!

On Saturday, September 19, 2020, a massive cleanup effort was conducted within Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2020 Celebrations with the theme "Safe Oceans start at Home". The DENR, LGUs, SCUBA Divers, National Government Agencies (NGAs), and private industries pitched in their efforts to contribute to the baywide cleanup activity.

By early morning of September 19, 2020, The DENR Protected Area Management office (PAMO), in collaboration with Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maasim headed by Municipal Mayor Zyrex Pacquiao, the City ENRO of General Santos City and PNP Maritime 12, spearheaded a SCUBASURERO Activity at Kamanga Marine Ecotourism Park and Sanctuary as well as at Pacman Beach Resort, both renowned dive sites in Maasim, Sarangani Province. Joining them were volunteers from the Sarangani Divers, Strike Divers, Pacman Beach Resort Divers, and DENR XII SCUBA Divers to assist the diving party.

SBPS Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Joy C. Ologuin, who was a part of the SCUBASURERO team, shared that "We collected plastics, empty bottles, nylon ropes, discarded clothes, tin cans and other non-biodegradable waste underwater. Besides gathering marine litter, we also collected Crown of Thorns (COT) starfish to lower their numbers and prevent possible outbreaks that might harm the coral reefs."

At the same time, the LGUs of SBPS organized their own cleanup efforts along their respective coastal areas with the aid of their Barangay LGUs, local volunteers, and NGAs. Several coastal industries in General Santos City also joined in the cleanup activity, voluntarily cleaning their shoreline within their company grounds.

Presidential Proclamation No. 470, Series of 2003, declares the 3rd Saturday of September of each year as the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day of the Philippines. Despite the ongoing pandemic, the DENR hopes that by practicing a culture of cleanliness within one's own home and workplace, one can do the same for the environment.

Safe Oceans start at home!