Globe sponsors Boracay clean-up dive

MANILA, Philippines - Flocks of tourists coupled with uncontrolled development have taken its toll on Boracay as coral reef destruction,  water quality degradation and other environmental and social concerns continue to threaten the fragile ecosystem of the island paradise.

Boracay’s situation prompted Globe Telecom to step in and help the island through a comprehensive program called “Community of Practice” or CoP which is also the company’s way of giving back to the community where it operates. 

Globe has a strong presence in Boracay especially with the recent establishment of its cable landing station.

CoP brings together various advocacies and initiatives of Globe delivered through partnerships with community-based partners such as non-government organizations, barangay leaders, and youth beneficiaries.

“Globe is just happy to be part of this multi-stakeholder effort to help conserve the island’s marine life. We are proud to see that our technology-based solutions can actually strengthen environmental governance as well as witness the activism of our employees and subscribers,” said Rob I. Nazal, head of Globe’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Globe is providing P1 million financial support for one year for its CoP program.

To  launch the  Boracay CoP, Globe together with Sangkalikasan Producer Cooperative conducted a clean up dive and coastal clean-up for the quarterly preventive maintenance of the marine protected area under The Code Blue Project. 

According to Nazal, “Code Blue is a medical term used as an alarm for a  patient in need of  resuscitation and  immediate medical attention, a condition similar to the coral reefs of Boracay as indicated in various surveys conducted by marine biologists.”

About 70 divers from Globe, media, Sangkalikasan and its partners Boracay Association of Scuba Schools, Boracay Action Group, Boracay Yuppies, among others joined the activity.

Felipe Huibonhoa, chairman of Sangkalikasan explained, “These clean-up dives are necessary to remove the debris from the water to keep the marine ecosystem healthy.  While we are doing our best to rehabilitate the island, we also encourage everyone to take action to preserve the future of Boracay and protect its coastal and underwater environment.”

The Code Blue Project involved the installation of 5,000  reef buds in the core zone of the marine protected area, a two-kilometer stretch parallel to Boracay’s shoreline.

Coral reefs play a vital role in maintaining a sustainable marine ecosystem contributing to its resilience, productivity and diversity. To a coastal area, it is the first line of defense against strong wave forces generated by tropical depressions, and thereby, critical in preserving Boracay’s unique powder sand beach. Increased sedimentation, pollution, and illegal  fishing practices has led to large scale marine ecosystem degradation leaving the coral reef weak and susceptible to various man made and climate change factors.

Aside from the clean-up dive, Globe also donated marine epoxy for the joint efforts of the Department of Science and Technology, University of San Carlos and Sangkalikasan to continue its efforts in the asexual reproduction of coral fragments. 

Globe has also donated water buoys and markers to clearly set demarcation lines for the proper zoning and use of the Marine Protected Area.

A hotline was, likewise, set up for Code Blue (0917-720BLUE) to help implement rules and regulations  and at the same time report all types of environmental crimes within the island.

Globe has also turned over a boat to Sangkalikasan for necessary coastline patrolling and 115 phone kits for easier coordination, reporting, and receiving of real-time feedback.

While Globe takes care of the environment, it is also concerned with law enforcement. Through the Sagot Ka ni Kap (SKK) program,  Globe was able to equip local barangay officials in Brgy. Manoc-manoc with the necessary tools to upgrade the capacity of the village police (tanods). Donations included raincoats, lamps, boots, handcuffs, and uniforms and  a hotline number (0917-71ABRAM).

To cap the program for Boracay, Globe is also funding environmental education for three public elementary schools in the island – Manoc-Manoc Elementary School, Balabag Elementary School, and  Yapak Elementary School.

Using Text2Teach program which is being implemented through Ayala Foundation, Inc., environmental conservation materials will be shown to the students to make them aware of the environmental situation in Boracay and encourage their proactive participation in protecting their hometown from further destruction.  The effort will also be extended to the other nine public elementary schools in the whole municipality of Malay.