More than 300 volunteers participated in the beach and underwater clean up drive in Opol, Misamis Oriental last Saturday, September 22, 2012. The clean up drive aimed to increase public awareness on the ocean’s silent killer – marine debris.
From morning until noon, volunteers of all ages helped to get rid of the trash. A total of 1,684 pounds (765.65 kgs.) of garbage were hauled off from the beaches, mangrove area, and Opol Marine Sanctuary.
Volunteers were given data card to be submitted to Project Aware to help them continue tracking the common types of litter. Participating in the clean up were volunteers from: Dive Special, Philippine Army 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Coast Guard Northern Mindanao, Coast Guard Special Operations Group, Tactical Operations Group Philippine Air Force, Marine Bio students, PNP Maritime, STEAG State Power Inc, MBDA Cluster Divers (Villanueva, Jasaan & Salay), XU-National Service Training Program classes YA & YC, XU - Research and Social Outreach, XU-Center for Legal Assistance, Jesuit scholastic, XU-Red Cross Youth, AJIS Aquasports, and local communities of Opol.
Media group ABS-CBN covered the event with the help of Johnny Cabreira. The sponsors of the activity were Dive Special, LGU-Opol, AJIS Aqua Sports, STEAG State Power Inc, Aquamundo, XU-Research & Social Outreach, XU-National Service Training Program, Nature’s Spring, Graphic, Apple Tree Resort & Hotel, Alpha Omega Homeshool Support and Tutorial Center, and Philippine Coast Guard Northern Mindanao.
The annual cleanup, coordinated locally by McKeough Marine Center, is organized internationally by Project Aware Organization. This year’s theme is “Dive against Debris. Stop the Ocean’s Silent Killer.” This international event engages people to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways, to identify the sources of debris, and to change human behavior and practices that have been causing pollution. The activity ended with the distribution of certificates and the awarding of prizes for the heaviest debris.
Seawater trash is one of the most widespread problems threatening our coastal waters and waterways. Trash in the water puts stress on marine ecosystems (e.g. mangroves, seagrasses, and corals) and indirectly causes the decline of fish production in the area; it makes beach waters hazardous to the health of coastal inhabitants; and it clogs waterways and canals.