IN ORDER to conserve coral reefs and clean the shoreline of Talicud Island in Samal the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao Region will conduct a “Scubasurero” cleanup drive on May 18 to 19.

As May is the Month of the Ocean and the year 2018 as the Year of the Reef, DENR-Davao launched the program “Scubasurero” to help clean the shores in the region and conserve the coral reefs especially those found in Talicud Island in Samal.

During the Connect press conference at SM Lanang on Friday, May 11, Gil Bigcas, development manager of DENR 11, urged the public to participate in the clean-up drive.

“Scubasurero” aims to clean the shores of Talicud Island and the Coral Garden underwater and to promote conservation of coral reef.

Bigcas said the clean-up drive is open to anyone who would want to participate and is free upon registration. He also said they have their scuba diver volunteers to help in the activity.

Talicud Island was chosen for the cleanup-drive as some of the corals are already damaged due to irresponsible throwing of garbage anywhere especially into the sea.

Bigcas sees the activity is a big help to the government in cleaning up the shores.

"Garbage is every human's responsibility. The government cannot do it alone," Bigcas said, adding that as part of the Month of the Ocean activity they will also hold an Underwater Photography Competition. Details of the competition will soon follow. (Ella Delicana and Andrew Comoda, NDDU interns/SunStar Davao)