ZAMBALES – In last year’s International Coastal Cleanup day, more than 107,000 volunteers from all parts of the country worked together to cover 28 provinces and ended up collecting more than 200,000 kilos of trash. The Top Province in 2014 with the most volunteers was Zambales, with more than 55,000 people and over 150 sites that were spread out from Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City and Zambales Province combined. The organizers aim to double the numbers on September 19, 2015 and bring a sea of change across the archipelago.
The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) that happens every 3rd Saturday of September is participated by half a million people across the globe, spanning in 91 countries with citizens from all walks of life. For 30 years, it has been aiming to turn the tide on trash and address solutions on this global threat.
“History and experience has taught us that when people unite, great things happen,” said Jun Avecilla, International Commodore of International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians and President of the Lighthouse Marina Resort. He added, “Let’s show the world what great things can happen from our home.”
The PCGA recognizes the significant strides from Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation (LMRLF), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), organizers of the ICC Zambales. They promote responsible tourism and create programs that embrace the objectives of ICC. They’ve painstakingly worked throughout the years to provide proper education in order to change behaviors that cause pollution and help create a lifestyle that advocates a sustainable coastal environment. The organizers of ICC Zambales have partnered with the ICC Philippines as they share their best practices on how to expand and improve the campaign across the nation.
Months of preparation with pocket events leading to the big day were essential in educating the public about the current situation of the environment and ways they can help. These activities include the coordination meetings (Olongapo City, SBMA and Province of Zambales), contests (Noah’s Art – Trash to Art Contest and Environmental Songwriting Competition), SCUBASURERO Underwater and Coastal Cleanup, Recyclables Regatta in Subic Bay and ICC Olongapo Making Riverth Possible, and the recently concluded 2nd Environmental Summit. The Coral Restoration Project in cooperation with Sangkalikasan, to be held in Grande Island right after the coastal cleanup on September 19 will serve as a fitting climax to another milestone in the campaign.
The emphasis on organized scientific data collection is what makes ICC unique. Volunteers were asked not only to pick up waste materials but also to record what they have collected in terms of kind, weight, and quantity of a specific trash in order to serve an accurate reference. The data collected may help in solving the ocean trash problem and create solutions for a healthier marine ecosystem.
Zambales exemplifies the ripple effect of this wave for change that was seen in numbers that were doubled from the year before, but their goal doesn’t stop there. The organizers continue to work with different organizations and LGUs from across the province as they engage with the local community through environmental activities.
ICC Philippines is organized by The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, in partnership with The Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority together with International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) Philippine Fleet, in cooperation with the Olongapo City Government, Zambales Provincial Government, Department of Tourism Region 3, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), North Luzon Expressway, North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB), and Subic Bay, Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board (SBHATSVB) (Complete list of ICC 2015 Supporters: www.icc.ph).
Official Media Partners of the ICC Philippines are Fox International Channels Asia, C! Magazine, Calibre Magazine, La Isla Magazine, Manila Bulletin, Balikbayan Magazine, Batang Gapo News TV, K-Lite 96.7fm, Subic Bay 89.5fm, Business Mirror, Freeport Cable Inc., Northbound Magazine, Subic.com, Active Boating and Watersports, Wondertower Creative and Perpetual Wave.
Please visit the official website: www.icc.ph for more information and updates.
Official Videos: https://vimeo.com/album/3053347
ICC Philippines YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPUjnnyJCb7ER7NtyGh-ZCQ
Photos of ICCZ 2014 Highlights: http://adbrvl.co/1yzUU17
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The Lighthouse Marina Resort is Subic Bay’s premier luxury hotel with 34 modern and tastefully-appointed rooms and suites, an all-day dining mecca, a nautically inspired bar and a host of leisure and relaxation facilities in a spectacular location.
