Mactan "Ocean Care" movement revived

Leading hospitality and industrial stakeholders in Mactan Island have united to revive the "Ocean Care" movement, to sustain the environmental, and natural resources attraction of the Island, which is deemed as the "crown jewel" of Cebu's tourism.

The "Ocean Care" movement, which was created four years ago, had become in-active since, and now environment-conscious industry players have initiated to re-activate the organization, led by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Initially, the movement is raising at least P250 thousand to run the organization's administrative expenses, in making projects, creating model marine environment advocacy group that is sustainable, unified, apolitical, and effective.

PBSP-Visayas president Antonio Aboitiz, who is also appointed to head the Ocean Care Advocates Inc., said that the revival of the group now vowed to commitment for sustainability, especially that leading brands of resorts on the Island have signed up for full commitment.

The group is up to establish mixed-use marine protected areas, sanctuaries, and park systems, among other target goals, to protect and rehabilitate marine environment of Mactan Island and its interdependent island ecosystem.

Big resort brands, like Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, have committed to support the sustainability of the advocacy, considering that resorts are capitalizing mostly the Island's marine resources.

 Dive shops, and some other industries located in Mactan, have also expressed their interest to support the movement.

According to Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa general manager Raymond Bragg, it is high time for stakeholders to take radical move in protecting the Island's environment.

 "It's our livelihood, [protecting the environment] is important to us," Bragg said.

Bragg said the participation of big brands to the Ocean Care advocacy could move the organization forward, and effectively achieve its goals.

Besides, he said the group is expected to gain support from the Department of Tourism (DOT), as the agency's main thrust right now, is to protect the environmental treasure of the Philippines, which is the sole capital for the "still" dynamic tourism industry.

Aboitiz said on the other hand, that aside from raising at least P250 thousand annually, to keep the organization running, advocate members shall also raise funding for each project.

Ultimately, Aboitiz said the group may tap international funding agencies for aid upcoming projects of the organization. For now, the group life-span solely depends on the participation of different industry players, through membership dues.

Ocean Care Advocates Inc., is committed to encourage establishment of equitable rules and guidelines for the management of marine environment, such as collating and study existing laws, statutes, treaties and ordinances that concerns the advocacy.

Aboitiz who is also a diving enthusiast is alarmed of the deteriorating marine beauty of Mactan, and its neighboring islets and islands. — Ehda M. Dagooc