Hamilo Coast renews tieup with WWF Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Hamilo Coast recently renewed its partnership with the World Wide Fund of Nature (WWF) Philippines to continue to expand and enhance the scope of its sustainability initiatives that have covered coastal resource management, ridge-to-reef management, solid waste management, mangrove reforestation, the use of renewable energy sources, and environmental awareness since 2007.

“Hamilo Coast has always made an effort to preserve our marine resources, as it is not only a responsibility but a privilege to do so. Our partnership with WWF manifests our resolve to ensure that our community remains a safe haven for marine life, and that we continue to be a model for sustainable coastal development in the Philippines,” said Imee Francisco, vice president and head of Costa Del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI) projects and operations.

CDHI, a company under SM Prime Holdings, is the developer of Hamilo Coast, a premier 40-hectare masterplanned community in Nasugbu, Batangas that features the idyllic Pico De Loro Cove, which integrates residential, resort, leisure, commercial and institutional land uses.

To fulfill its advocacy, Hamilo Coast currently engages in several marine and environmental activities in partnership with the local government and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Leading such efforts is its collaboration with the University of the Philippines Bolinao Marine Lab, which provides training in the culture and ocean rearing of giant clams through the Giant Clams Restocking and Spawning Program. This activity is a conservation strategy that aims to improve the biodiversity and productivity of stressed coral reef habitats.

Next, with Hamilo Coast’s well-kept beach fronts as favorite nesting grounds of Olive Ridley turtles, the community regularly implements the Marine Turtle Conservation Program. In this undertaking, Hamilo Coast’s estate and sustainability teams proactively monitor and protect the turtle nests until the eggs hatch, after which the hatchlings are immediately released to the ocean.

Hamilo Coast also continues to hold the annual Coastal Clean-Up Program, a highly effective collaboration between the management and employees of CDHI and the local government. The volunteers collect trash and debris from Pico Beach and neighboring coves, identify the sources of the litter, help change behaviors that cause pollution, and raise awareness on the extent of the marine debris problem.

“As we strive to create a more sustainable future, we are proud of what we have accomplished and continue to do here at Hamilo Coast,” Francisco said. “While we are very excited to do even more to preserve our aquatic biodiversity, we hope that we may also inspire other communities to do the same.”