Maritime cadets help clean up Manila Bay

At least 500 cadets from different maritime schools in the Philippines and five other countries voluntarily cleaned up Manila Bay yesterday.

Armed with shovels, sacks and other equipment, the cadets took a break from their studies on board the international training ship T/S Spirit of MOL and helped fish out garbage and other pollutants from the waters of Manila Bay. Some of the cadets are from China, Indonesia, Japan, Russia and Vietnam.

Shipping firm Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. (MOL) and the Magsaysay Maritime Corp. organized the bay cleanup in coordination with other maritime schools.

MOL-Tokyo executive officer Captain Soichi Hiratsuka, who flew into the country to unveil a marker representing the company’s commitment to help in environmental protection and preservation, said he hopes the undertaking cultivated in the volunteers a strong sense of care and concern for the environment.

Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Ma. Elena Bautista, Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad and city councilors graced the opening ceremony of the bay cleanup to show their support. – Rainier Allan Ronda