AROUND 500 participants from 26 villages in Davao City are expected to participate in today's International Coastal Clean-up.
Tagged as the biggest movement for marine environment, the organizers plan to encourage residents in coastal areas to practice sanitation to sustain their livelihood and maintain a livable community.
Councilor Leonardo Avila III said, "We need to teach the people to clean the surroundings themselves, so we can see progress."
At least two personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard are assigned to monitor each of the participating barangay.
A total of five to 12 billion tons of plastic is dumped in the world's ocean and 300 tons of garbage are collected in the Philippine waters every year. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) in Davao Region also took the chance to harvest Crown of Thorns, a type of starfish which destroys the coral reefs, the spawning site of the organisms in the ocean.
Aside from 500 volunteers, representatives from the University of Immaculate Concepcion, Davao Medical School Foundation, NCCC Cares, Davies, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Holcim Philippines and the city government are expected to join the event.
Different schools and barangays within and outside Davao City are set to participate on the National Clean-Up Day on Sunday.
Let’s do it Philippines regional coordinator Kenny Lloyd Angon bared this in Thursday's I-speak media forum at the City Hall conference room.
The event will be held in celebration of the national clean up month and the International coastal clean-up weekend.
Angon said that the cleanup will be held in Barangay Centro, San Juan Agdao where 800 students and teachers from San Roque District are expected to participate.
Students from DMMA College of Southern Philippines and volunteers from partner National Youth Commission Davao Area office will also join along with those coming from Barangay Matina Crossing, Barangay Lapu-Lapu Agdao, Juna Subdivision, Barangay Tibungco will participate the event.
A similar activity will also be conducted in Compostela Valley and Island Garden City of Samal.
Angon said that it will be the first time that they are organizing the event.