DENR SARANGANI’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN 2018

The ever-increasing ocean trash – plastic waste in particular – has produced nothing less than a global crisis for ocean waters, marine wildlife and habitat, human health and safety, wasted resources and lost revenues for many nations. Fortunately, this is one environmental issue that can be addressed by tackling trash at the source before it has a chance to reach the water and by changing the behaviors that allow trash into the water in the first place. International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) provides the opportunity to make a difference in a global movement by getting rid of trash/debris from our shorelines, rivers, lakes and waterways; raising environmental awareness; and providing information which will guide and influence governments, corporations and industries in developing smart solutions to the marine pollution problem. 

In the Republic of the Philippines, Presidential Proclamation No. 470 series of 2003 declares the third Sunday of September of each year as the International Coastal Clean-Up Day. This 33^rd year’s theme is “Tayo ang Solusyon sa Polusyon”. Through the initiatives of Local Government Units of Maasim and Alabel, Sarangani Province, the awareness and empowerment of the people to take active role in preservation and cleaning up of the ocean could be achieved and lead to better -informed policy decisions and improved solid waste management programs. The activity also involved the volunteers to not only to pick up trash but also to count every item collected and record in a standardized data card. This action makes the ICC unique, aside from the simultaneous and coordinated global execution, as there is emphasis on organized scientific data collection. According to the non-government organization named Ocean Conservancy, volunteers record not just what objects they find but also their material composition. The new information will be instrumental in helping determine the effects that specific materials are having on ocean habitats. By understanding the items collected in greater detail, scientists and ocean advocates will be able to identify the best remedies and advocate for solutions that will lead to a healthier ocean.

The National Government Agencies – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), with the Local Government Units of Alabel and Maasim, Alabel National Science High School, and private sectors- Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundations Inc. (CLAFI), participated in the International Coastal Clean Up Celebration last September 19 and 21, 2018 at the areas along the vicinity of Sarangani Protected Seascape. The celebration also involved Mangrove Planting Activity to rehabilitate and enhance the rainforest of the sea, and Scubasurero activity that involved the volunteer divers from different offices within the Region 12.(Quennie Lyn Arellano, Photo from Gary John Cabinta)