Boracay PNP leads ‘Scubarero’ coastal clean up
To promote a safer Boracay’s beach environment, the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) joined volunteers for the “Scubasurero’ beach clean-up project.
The “Scubasurero” or the “Mamang Makakalikasan” project is part of BSTPO’s continuing effort to restore, rehabilitate and sustain coastal water for marine bio-diversity in the island.
Around 114 volunteers, including 14 BSTPO police divers, collected 76 bags or 923 kilos of underwater waste materials composed of plastics, bottles, tin cans, clothing, foam, broken glasses, tires and debris last September 19.
Led by BSTPO officer-in-charge Chief Insp. Eugene Rebadomia, Supt. Jimuel Siason of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Project Management Office and Malay police chief Insp. Lory Tarrazona, the volunteers partnered with the Boracay Association of Scuba Diving Schools(BASS) for the “Scubasurero” clean up program.
The underwater clean up drive is a nationwide campaign of PNP chief Police Director General Jesus Versoza to help clean the shorelines and rivers across the country.
With thousands of tourists staying in the island, this popular beach destination produces tons of garbage and plastics daily. To address the mounting garbage, the government and business groups in the island established Materials Recovery Centers.
The one-day beach clean up is part of the annual International Coastal Clean-up by volunteers around the world from the business and environmentally conscious organizations.
Debbie Ngo, BASS president and owner of New Wave Divers Boracay and Jun Bondoc, BASS Secretary and owner of Aqualife Dive Shop, also awarded certificates of recognition to the BSTPO divers for their share in the BASS Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education (AWARE) project. (courtesy of Boy Ryan Zabal, President APCDC)
