Sea Knights film underwater condition of Calubian Bay

NAVAL, BILIRAN ,Philippines  — A fluvial procession along the Calubian Bay between Biliran and Leyte provinces will be part of the Duaw Sto. Niño on October 21 and 22.

This prompted the Knight-Stewards of the Sea Inc. (Sea Knights), composed of divers and environment campaigners from various sectors to survey and record on video the underwater condition of marine resources of the bay. 

As such, the people of Calubian in Leyte, its neighboring towns and those from Biliran will now have a chance to look the life under the sea, via a film showing to be presented in Naval State University and in Calubian during the visit of the Sto. Niño de Cebu icon to this province.

Calubian Bay is littered with fish pens and is known to be the haven of fishermen using dynamite and coral-damaging gears which caused the catch to dwindle in alarming level and contribute to the destruction of the environmental balance.

Father Tito Soquiño, executive director of the Basilica's Santo Niño de Cebu Agustinian Social Development Foundation Inc. said the concept of the 'Duaw' is to roam the islands like what Sto. Niño did 490 years ago when He spread Christianity all over the world.

This visit of the Sto. Niño de Cebu to Biliran and Leyte thus shall be an ecological evangelization to combat climate change, said Soquiño, who has been an advocate for balanced ecology through religious undertakings.

In this activity, Tito, Fr. Charlie of USJ-R, Philippine Navy frogmen and LGU officials will lead in a coastal clean-up, mangrove planting and setting-up of buoys along Calubian Bay.

Hilongos town Mayor Jose Emery Roble, along with and other prime movers would supervise the overall activities of the Duaw, including the Concelebrated Mass and Medical missions scheduled at the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Shrine in Calubian, Leyte.