By Czarmayne Escoro

Every third Saturday of September, Xavier University McKeough Marine Center celebrates the International Coastal Clean Up day. This year’s ICC was on September 21, 2013. To address the problem of marine debris in the bay, three strategies were emphasized during the event: a) an effective Information Education Campaign (IEC) program; b) actual cleaning up of the coast; and c) marine debris data recording. Lectures were given to the volunteers to increase their awareness on the causes and effects of marine debris. Data generated aimed to assist the government and the community in drafting policies and intervention measures to reduce the marine debris.

For this year, MMC in collaboration with the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) and the Pawikan Culture Awareness did two activities: first was in supporting and assisting the bay-wide coastal barangay clean-up in Macajalar Bay with the leadership of the concerned LGUs.  Second activity was a clean-up at the beach areas and marine sanctuary of Opol from 6:30 AM until 11:00 AM. Five hundred fifty seven volunteers showed up to take part in the cleaning. They came from 17 different sectors: local communities, schools, government agencies, private companies, and business groups. A total of 662.5 kg marine debris were collected, with plastic materials (bags, wrappers, bottles) as the heaviest load and followed by cigarette butts and leaf litter.

The record of consolidated marine debris data will be used in the Macajalar based marine debris “infographic”. This will be circulated throughout the schools and establishments within the Bay at the end of the year. In addition, a photo exhibit will be launched here in the university this October showing the various groups that participated during the cleanup.

Together, let us STOP THE OCEAN’s SILENT KILLER.