By Kristine A Galarrita

The Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) and Xavier University - McKeough Marine Center (MMC) celebrated the International Coastal Cleanup Day with the rest of the world on September 20.
 
A simultaneous coastal cleanup was conducted in more than 80 barangays along the Macajalar Bay with the participation of various representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - X, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - X, Philippine Coast Guard, Petron Corporation, Shell Cagayan de Oro, N Hotel, Archdiocese of CDO and Bulua National High School, among others.

XU-MMC was designated at Barangay Bonbon alongside the National Service Training Program - IEC Student Development Advocates while the member-LGUs of the MBDA conducted the cleanup in their respective localities.

On the other hand, underwater cleanup in the Marine Protected Areas of Brgy Bayabas and Brgy Burias, El Salvador had been participated in by divers from XU-MMC, XU-Marine Science Society and Dive Special Inc.

To monitor and evaluate the garbage in the coastal areas, the cleaners used a data card to record all their accumulated items from the cleanup. The results can be used by local planners in the management of waste and in crafting development projects in their areas.   

Prior to this activity, various photographs were exhibited at the Event Center of Centrio – Ayala Mall on September 15-19 depicting the different resources of the marine environment and the programs implemented in response to the threats brought about by human pressures and climate change.

Both the coastal cleanup and the marine conservation campaign were aimed at raising awareness on the effects of marine debris to the coastal ecosystems thereby changing the behavior of the communities to help eliminate trash accretion in our coasts.