MPIC’s Shore It Up program goes nationwide

MANILA, Philippines - The MVP Group has amped up its environmental protection program this year, going beyond the annual coastal and underwater cleanup, making the campaign nationwide for the first time.

Shore It Up, the country’s longest corporate-backed environment program, is now reaching out to coastal communities through livelihood projects that would help ensure the sustainability of programs that rescue, restore and revive the environment.

“Our continuous quest and common purpose to heighten awareness and promote stewardship of our ecosystem has brought us together this day. Much has yet to be done and issues such as marine debris, overfishing and alternative livelihood need to be resolved,” said Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“For this year, Shore It Up is now nationwide because we have important activities in Bohol, Siargao and Alaminos,” Melody del Rosario, MPIC’s vice-president for corporate communications, announced.

For 2014, the first program of Metro Pacific Investments Foundation is the Shore It Up-Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program in partnership with the Bohol province and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It focuses on habitat and vulnerability assessment, coral reef rehabilitation and protection, and social mobilization and development.

“The activities in Bohol actualized a deeper commitment of Shore It Up to improve the live of communities through livelihood programs in Pamilacan Island,” Del Rosario said.

Specifically, the MVP Group provided livelihood assistance like solar lamps from Manila Electric Co., micro-filtration water system from Maynilad Water Services Inc., start-up retailer kit from Smart Communications Inc., and livestock and poultry to 147 families in Pamilacan Island.

Families in Pamilacan island now make their living  on dolphin and whale watching tours, a complete turnaround from their previous livelihood of hunting  dolphins, whales and manta rays which they sell in the market.

Prior to the marine resource appreciation dives, select employees from the MVP Group and journalists were trained and certified by experienced divers from Deep Outdoor dive shop based in diving haven Anilao, Batangas.

“I am impressed by the way the programs of the MVP Group has been distributed to many provinces,” said Bohol governor Edgar Chatto, adding that Shore it Up helps promote the local government’s eco-cultural tourism program.

Bohol province, one of the Philippines’ premiere eco-cultural destinations, is famous for dolphin watching activity and diving in Pamilacan Island.

For other areas in the Philippines, Del Rosario said the MVP Group would put up Mangrove Propagation and information centers in Alaminos City in Pangasinan and Del Carmen in Siargao Island.

“The project aims to increase awareness on mangrove propagation through its surrounding nursery. It will also serve as part of an eco-tourism product that will be awarded to and managed by the local community,” Metro Pacific Foundation said.

“Community-based activities will be available to generate livelihood to the community,” it added.

“All these environmental problems are caused by men, but the solution is also with us. Together, we can make a difference,” said Commodore Geronimo Reyes, director for Marine Environmental Protection Support Group of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxillary.

Shore It Up is the corporate social responsibility program of Metro Pacific Investments Foundation. Other firms of the MVP Group that joined the campaign were Philex Mining Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

The core activity of the annual event, which has attracted 70,000 volunteers since 2009, is an underwater and coastal cleanup. It is also involved in mangrove and tree planting, giant clam rearrangement and seeding, and artificial reef restoration.

With the help of 292 partners, Shore It Up was able to clean a coastline totalling 328 kilometers in 2013 alone and protect 5,000 hectares of mangroves. A total of 1,000 children from coastal communities benefited from the Junior Environmental Scout program.