Cleanup pulls together 300 kilos of garbage

CEBU, Philippines - Scuba divers collected an estimated 300 kilos of garbage during yesterday’s coastal and underwater cleanup in barangays Maribago and San Vicente in Lapu-Lapu City.

Divers came from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire and Protection, Philippine Navy, Sea Knights, Coastal Conservation Education Foundation, and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The cleanup started on the coastline of barangay Maribago.

After the cleanup in barangay Maribago, 21 divers went to barangay San Vicente in Olango Island and went underwater to collect trash.

Edmondo Arresgadas, chief of the Coastal and Marine Division of the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said they found so much plastic beneath the waters.

Arresgadas suspects the plastic materials came from visitors to the marine sanctuary.

For his part, Captain Simplicio “Boyla” Gilig, newly-installed  Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Central Visayas district director said the success of yesterday’s activity was due to the cooperation of the divers.

Gilig, who is also a founding officer of the Lapu-Lapu City Marine Sports and Boat Operators Association said the auxiliary and the association are concerned about the preservation of marine resources in Lapu-Lapu City.

He said garbage has piled up due in part to the influx of tourists last May and in part due to irresponsible disposal of garbage by some residents and visitors.

He said coastal tourism is the lifeline of the city of Lapu-Lapu.

“It is important that the city waters maintain good swimming quality so tourists will continue to patronize its   resorts and beaches,” said Gilig.

On the other hand, Emeterio Bonghanoy, president of the Lapu-Lapu City Marine Sports and Boat Owners Association, said his group is very much involved in the protection of the marine environment.

This year’s activity carries the theme “Shared Waters, Shared Solutions: Coming together as one for the world’s center of marine life - The Coral Triangle.”