Metro Pacific pays it forward for environment

MANILA, Philippines - Bohol’s road to normalcy and excellence continues as it hosted the award-winning Shore It Up, the country’s longest corporate-backed underwater and coastal environmental program, in the tourist islands of Balicasag, Panglao and Pamilacan. 

Dubbed “Padayon Bohol,” the two-day program was spearheaded by Metro Pacific Investment Foundation (MPIF) to help rescue, restore and revive the country’s coastal and marine ecosystems. 

This year’s major partner is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with its Sustainable Coral Reef Environment Management Program (SCREMP).

Other collaborating government agencies were the Department of Tourism-Central Visayas Region and the Provincial Government of Bohol where Metro Pacific signed a Memorandum of Understanding on comprehensive environmental protection. 

Through the partnership, Shore It Up shall help in 34 marine protected areas nationwide and assist in the components of SCREMP on habitat and vulnerability assessment, coral reef rehabilitation and protection, and social mobilization and development. 

Volunteer divers from the MVP group of companies led in the conduct  of environmental education among school children through the Junior Environmental Scouts (JES) seminar to inculcate concern for Mother Earth through creative art. 

The conglomerate also turned over livelihood programs to the community such as hybrid livestock and poultry to help support food sufficiency among the locals.

MPIC vice president for communications Melody Del Rosario said that Bohol was chosen as venue of this year’s SIU to help it fully recover from the destructive earthquake which struck it in October last year, and reclaim its standing as one of the country’s main tourist drawers.

Del Rosario noted said that this year’s Shore It Up marked a new milestone as a nationwide effort having been held in Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas. The event had simultaneous activities in Alaminos City, Pangasinan and Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte. 

Since its inception in 2009 after typhoon Ondoy struck, the program has been held in key coastal areas such as Mabini, Batangas; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Subic Bay Freeport Zone; Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, Pangasinan; and Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. 

SIU has tapped 70,000 volunteers, and has partnered with 292 local and national government agencies, community organizations, companies, and private entities.

In 2013 alone, it was able to clean a coastline totaling to 328 kilometers and was able to protect some 5,000 hectares of mangroves through its CO2DC project at the Bakhaw Mangrove Forest in Del Carmen in Siargao Island.

“With this endeavor, the Metro Pacific Group hopes to bring a positive environmental impact, as well as economic and socio-cultural components for a sustainable tourism program in Bohol,” Del Rosario concluded. 

Shore It Up is recipient of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ Anvil Award of Merit for sustained environmental program for the environment from 2011 to 2013, as well as the Best CSR in the Corporate Governance Asia Award in the same period.