Foray into voluntourism

CEBU, Philippines - Reverse the trend for one day.

Above is the catchphrase of Be Resorts’ series of events and vacation packages that focus on fun and environmental awareness, at the same time.

Aptly labeled “Be the Spark for Change: Vacations with Heart,” which took place from September 10-12, the environmental project saw over 200 Be Resorts guests joining in coastal cleanup activities, in serving as scubasureros, taking part in Olango cleanup dives and mangrove propagule planting.

Be Resorts managing director Joy Benedicto, who joined the cleanup dive, mentioned that they collected a total of 150 kilos of garbage. Among these are cans, plastic sachets, glass and plastic bottles, baseball caps, firecrackers intact in its box, PVC pipe, diaper, compact fluorescent lamp, batteries, a spotlight, and a blanket.

According to Benedicto, the voluntourism program is Be Resorts’ way of encouraging guests to “not just spend a vacation, but to help give back to nature.”

With marine biologist Mario Marababol, administrator of Ocean Care Advocates Inc., the group relearned the importance of mangroves after spending time at the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary to plant 2,000 mangrove propagules of the Rhizophora mucronata species, preferred for its high survival rate.

Marababol pointed out that Rhizophora species (Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, and R. stylosa) are hardy species, tolerant in all types of soil quality, and are fast growing. “Usually laymen or local fishermen create local terms for easy identification. They usually associate this with the shape of the fruit, flower, etcetera,” Marababol said.

“For the case of the Rhizophora apiculata, its fruit is elongated and firm which can be associated with the male genitals, while for the Rhizophora mucronata it is associated with female genitals, that’s why it’s called bakauan babaye. Since Rhizophora stylosa does not have well defined fruit shape plus its color is dull, then locals associate it with stones,” he added.

Main problems with regards to sustaining mangrove propagule planting is garbage and human activities like gleaning or “panginhas” or the catching of bangus fry (panudsud) because the seedlings get trampled on, this was further learned.

However, Marababol assures that mangrove propagule planting is easier to maintain and sustain if the area or location is previously known to have mangrove trees because of site suitability.

“Wetlands and mangroves are interconnected ecosystems meaning, they are very important since tapad ra sila og location. Sa ecology, we call these as migration corridors or avenue of organisms/species because some organisms from the mangrove or wetlands, from time to time, will move to the other ecosystem for food, shelter, nursery and that certain life stage will require them to stay in the other ecosystem. So if there is disturbance in one ecosystem it will create a domino effect to the whole ecosystem,” Marababol emphasized.

It is understood that because Olango is a part of the East Asian Flyway, human involvement directly impacts migratory shorebirds.

Furthermore, since September is observed as International Coastal Cleanup Month and Ocean Month, OCAI has scheduled the following activities meant to reverse trends - hurting to the environment - a day at a time:

Sept. 17, 2010 - Underwater Cleanup at Punta West with Islands Souvenir, World Wide Dive and Sail, Feel Deep, Cebu Yacht Club, Thirsty and Scuba Den from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sept. 18, 2010 - 2nd Zero Wastes on Seas Coastal Cleanup at Saac, Lapu-Lapu at the back of BigFoot Studios in partnership with Islands Souvenir, World Wide Dive and Sail, Feel Deep, Cebu Yacht Club, Thirsty & Bigfoot Studios from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Sept. 24, 2010 - Lecture presentation of OCAI about Marine Mammal Stranding at the Cebu Normal University; and Sept. 25, 2010 - International Coastal Cleanup Day in coordination with the Lapu-Lapu City government. (THE FREEMAN)