Every 3rd Saturday of September, the International Coastal Clean-Up Day Is being observed as a way to encourage people to rid beaches, oceans and waterways of garbage.
This activity is also aimed at raising awareness about preserving and protecting the ocean and waterways. This year, the clean-up drive was set on Sept. 19, 2020.
In this connection, the City Government has pledged to take part in the advocacy to protect the marine resources. As a result, all personnel from the different city government departments were enjoined to organize a clean-up plan including mangrove planting in the nine (9) coastal barangays in Tagbilaran City as assigned by the City Agrivet Office (CAVO) headed by Dr. Genette Egos.
Each department of the city government provided its own food and provisions to the personnel. CAVO officer Dr. Genette Egos said there was a limit as to the number of participants to maintain social distancing and strict health protocols.
City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II said the purposes of the cleanup activity were: to engage Tagbilaranons to remove trash and debris from the ocean and waterways; to identify the sources of
the trash; and to change people’s behaviors that cause pollution.
“Our coastal resources provide the much-needed protection to residents living near the ocean by acting as a buffer against the high winds and waves of powerful storms.
It also helps drive economic activity thru fishing or other water-based livelihood initiatives. Even amidst the pandemic, we will still be mindful of our priorities. Protecting the environment is still on top of our list”, Yap said.
This year’s clean-up actovotu was one of the largest volunteer efforts in ocean conservation, the City Media Bureau says.
Moreover, the clean-up activity provides an opportunity to make a difference in the environment by getting rid of trash from our shorelines, rivers, lakes and waterways.
The advocacy has definitely raised environmental awareness and provided information which are guiding and influencing governments, corporations and industries in developing smart solutions to solve the problem of ocean and waterways pollution, the city LGU says.
