Thousands join coastal cleanup in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines – Thousand of people from both private and public sectors joined the celebration of International Coastal Cleanup in Lapu-Lapu City.

The event, which is being celebrated yearly, encourages LGUs, volunteer groups, students and both local and foreign individuals to take part in cleaning of the coastal areas to prevent further damage of the shoreline and marine life.

Aside from the big hotels and resorts and the local government unit, members of the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, and Philippine National Police also participated in the activity.

Co-chairman of the International Cleanup, Andy Berame, said most of the garbage they collected were from the seawaters some of which he believe could be from the nearby Mandaue City and Cebu City .

"Like the previous years, among ma-collect kay kanang anod nga basura which generally not generated only in Lapu-Lapu but maybe in Mandaue," he said.

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan Hotel Manager Hembler Mendoza, who also joined the event, said that next year they will try to come up with a better international approach through awareness.

The activity was part of the two-day Island Experience campaign, which started on Friday wherein a group of media coming from Davao , Iloilo , Bacolod and Manila was brought to the different islands, hotels and landmarks of the city.

Mayor Paz Radaza admitted that tourism, as the major economic drive of the city, was affected by the hostage crisis in Manila but she assured the tourism in the city will improve through the campaign.

Mendoza, for his part, pledged support for the activity to disperse domestic problems and encourage local and foreign investors.

"We just need an immediate participation from different establishments since our mileage taas as a stakeholder because of the help of Madam Paz," he said. (FREEMAN)