-Vinrad A. Abangin
In line with the celebration of this year’s Month of the Ocean, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Davao del Norte, conducted a Reef and Coastal Clean-up Drive at the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) last May 22, 2019.
Assistant Secretary for Field Operations for Eastern Mindanao and Regional Executive Director Ruth M. Tawantawan said that the activity reiterates DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu’s appeal to the public to protect coastal resources and to cut down on the use of plastics that usually end up in the oceans.
“It is important that we maintain a healthy and garbage free-ocean by practicing waste segregation and proper waste disposal most especially in our coastal areas. This is exactly what is being emphasized in this year’s Month of the Ocean theme Free the Sea from Marine Debris,” Tawantawan said.
With the combined efforts of the DENR, local government units and other agencies, coastal clean-up activities were conducted at Barangays Miranda, Tambo, Camudmud and Villarica. On the other hand, the Reef Clean-up dubbed as “ScuBasurero” were conducted at Barangays Dadatan and Linusutan.
ScuBasurero is an activity being participated in by DENR divers and scuba diver volunteers to clean-up the shores and underwater of coastal areas to conserve its coral reef.
PENR Officer of Davao del Norte Victor T. Billiones said that through this activity, it will further encourage people to conserve the marine resources and make them aware that this clean-up drive needs a concerted effort.
“While these efforts may seem small, we are hoping that the message that we are trying to convey through this activity will have a bigger impact to the people,” he said.
Billiones also extended his appreciation to all agencies who participated and supported the activity such as IGACOS LGU, PCG, DLPC, PNP, SUMIFRO, Toyota Davao, PAF, BFP, KASILAK, DOLE, PAGRO, JK, MERCADO and Davao Reef Divers.
By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 57 issued in 1999, the Month of the Ocean is celebrated in the Philippines every May.
Section 2 of the said Proclamation mandates the DENR and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to spearhead the observance of the MOO in collaboration with the different sectors of the society through the conduct of activities that shall highlight the conservation, protection and sustainable management of the country’s coastal and ocean resources.
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