In Celebration of Ocean month: 'Scubasurero' coastal cleanup set tomorrow

A coastal cleanup dubbed "Scubasurero" will be held tomorrow at the coastal barangays of Dumlog and Poblacion in Talisay City as part of a series of activities that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has lined up in celebration of the Ocean Month.

This after a people's day and an environmental forum were initiated at the Poblacion barangay hall last April 5.

Also, a mangrove propagule planting will be held on Friday at barangay Panadtaran, San Fernando to be participated in by DENR officials, non-government organizations, local government units and personnel from the Parole and Probation Office in the province.

Other activities include an eco-tourism cross visit, bird watching, mangrove propagule planting and cleanup at the vicinity of the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary on May 22.

The participatory coastal resource assessment will be held on May 23 to 26 in the municipality of Consolacion to be participated in by LGUs, the Department Agriculture, DENR and local officials. Another mangrove propagule planting and coastal cleanup will be held on May 30 at the coastal areas of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City (beside the Shangri-La Hotel) which will also mark the culmination of the "Scubasurero-Cleanup" drive.

At the end of the Ocean Month on May 31, there will be a coastal law enforcement clustering seminar to be held at the People's Hall in Talisay City to be participated in by LGUs of Carcar, Naga, San Fernando, Minglanilla and Talisay City and DENR personnel.

Former President Joseph Estrada declared May as Philippine Ocean Month through Presidential Proclamation No. 57 when he made a State of the Ocean Address - "Saving the Philippine Seas" - on December 11, 1998. - Gregg M. Rubio