Stakeholders agree on city coastal cleanup

CEBU, Philippines -  Beach resort and hotel owners, representatives from different government agencies, school officials, private organizations, civic clubs, associations and private individuals assured their support of the coastal clean-up in Lapu-Lapu City.

The clean-up is in support to Lapu-Lapu City government's 29th International Coastal Clean-up Day scheduled on September 20.

City Councilor Alexander Gestopa Jr., chairman of the City Council's committee on environment and the Lapu-Lapu International Coastal Clean-up committee, said they received the commitment of the different sectors during their organizational meeting recently.

Gestopa said during the meeting, they agreed to help each other for the success of the activity to address the threats on the city's marine resources.

As our contribution to this global endeavor, Councilor Gestopa said the city government of Lapu-Lapu, together with the national government agencies, barangays and civic-spirited individuals, companies, business establishments, associations, schools and institutions, agreed to help each other to clean the city's coastal areas from garbage, rubbish and debris deliberately dumped and strewn on the beaches, shorelines and underwater reef areas. Officials said irresponsible garbage management is not just threatening the aesthetic beauty of the city's tourist-destinations but also the delicate marine life that depends on it as their habitat.

Gestopa recalled that last year, tons of garbage were collected from the city's coastal areas and seawaters off Lapu-Lapu City with the help of divers.

The divers' group in Lapu-Lapu City supported the clean-up campaign of the city government saying that most of them were connected to different beach resorts and hotels operating in the area.

Mayor Paz Radaza earlier said the people of Lapu-Lapu City should get involved in this activity.  (FREEMAN)