Bayside run to protect marine life

LEADING wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) recently supported Sarangani province's biggest festival through a fun run that helps preserve and protect marine life in Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf.

Held during the 2012 Sarangani Bay Festival, Smart's "Run for the Environment" which was hosted by the Provincial Government of Sarangani gathered more than 300 runners from the Soccsksargen Region and Davao City.

"We would like to thank the runners who participated in this year’s Run for the Environment for responding to our call to help preserve marine life," said Atty. Maria Jane Paredes, head of Smart's Public Affairs in Visayas and Mindanao.

"Their participation and support means we can continue our efforts in saving and protecting the sea species that thrive in Mindanao waters," she added.

Funds contributed by the runners will be donated to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines who have partnered with Smart in programs to rehabilitate the Davao Gulf, home of the endangered dugongs and sea turtles. Part of the proceeds will also be donated to the Sarangani Bay Fund for the Environment.

Aside from helping protect the endangered sea animals’ habitat, long-term goals in the Davao Gulf and Sarangani Bay areas include implementing a tagging system for the dugongs and promoting sustainable eco-tourism in the region.

This unique run at Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani, one of the country's southernmost beach areas, gave the runners a chance to experience the view and learn about the efforts to conserve and promote the famous bay.

After the race, the runners, organizers and sponsors led by Alcantara Group of Companies, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government units released 100,000 bangus fry into the waters of Sarangani Bay as part of their Fish Restocking Project.

Mangrove propagules were also turned over to the local officials of Barangay Tuyan in Malapatan and Barangay Maribulan, in the Sarangani capital Alabel.

Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said they have been holding Sarangani Bay Festival for the past 7 years and activities like Run for the Environment are in line with their goals to protect and promote the bay.

"We do not want to end up like other bays which have become extremely dirty, people are discouraged from swimming in them," Dominguez said.

"We would like to promote and preserve Sarangani Bay so that future generations can enjoy and benefit from it," he said.

"We are continuously helping in the protection of our waters through our partnership with WWF," Paredes said. "All Smart subscribers can help with our efforts to save the seas by sending donations through their cellphones. They just have to text WWF to 4483 for complete details and instructions."

Sarangani Bay is a 230-km stretch of shoreline that is not only a major source of seafood but is also a fast-rising center of marine eco-tourism in the country. It is one of the areas that Smart is supporting as part of its corporate social responsibility programs for the preservation and protection of the environment.