MANILA, Philippines - Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa celebrated International Coastal Clean-Up Day with an extensive clean-up of beaches along Barangay Yapak, located in Boracay island’s northern tip, to include Banyugan, Punta Bunga, Ilig-Iligan and Puka Shell Beach.
The two-day clean-up initiative, dubbed “One Boracay” to signify the resort’s concentrated efforts to contribute to the preservation of the world-famous island paradise, kicked off with biodiversity awareness talks led by Shangri-La Boracay’s corporate social responsibility team at Yapak Elementary School, Lamberto Tirol High School and at the resort’s Eco Center. In these fora, students and resort guests were made to understand the importance of coral reefs and the impact of trash on marine life.
The beach clean-up was held the next day, participated by students, local government units and Shangri-La Boracay guests and staff. Roadside and underwater clean-ups were likewise organized, and resort guests were engaged in creating fish houses to help protect marine life in the island.
Shangri-La Boracay general manager Ester Marcaida said: “We are proud residents of Boracay and we are very happy to have worked with the local government, as well as with our guests and staff, in this great community effort. It is important to us that we care for this paradise that we call our home, and we remain in our commitment to do so in all the ways we can.”
The One Boracay coastal clean-up was attended by Boracay mayor John Yap, Boracay Foundation board member Leonard Tirol and Boracay Chamber of Commerce president and environment committee head Jove Schrottmann.