World Oceans Day & Coral Triangle Initiative Day Celebration CY 2024

WORLD OCEANS DAY AND CORAL TRIANGLE DAY CELEBRATION

“Awaken New Depths” and “Balancing Marine Conservation and Blue Economy”

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 237, series of 1988 dedicating the month of June as Philippine Environment Month, the conduct of environmental activities for Philippine Environment Month, and in observance to Special Order No. 2024-299, the DENR X celebrated the CY 2024 World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day on June 7, 2024, with the themes: “Awaken New Depths” and “Balancing Marine Conservation and Blue Economy”, respectively.

The said events were being celebrated in the region through a simultaneous coastal clean-up which started at 6:00 A.M. at various location. Likewise, related Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) activities were conducted to further highlight the importance of protecting and conserving the ocean and to foster stakeholders’ collaboration together with the population to a more proactive action. These CEPA activities include:

1. Ocean Dance Community “Hataw” at Jasaan Covered Court, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental;
2. Beach Forest Species Growing in Brgy. Dela Paz, Clarin, Misamis Occidental;
3. Bamboo Tree Growing in Mainit, Catarman, Camiguin ENGP Sites and;
4. Mangrove Planting in Mukas, Kolambugan and Tabigue, Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte

Highlights:

A. 6:00 AM, June 7, 2024 – Simultaneous Coastal and Underwater Clean-up Activity conducted in various sites by DENR X Regional Office and PENR and CENR Offices.

Coastal clean-ups play a crucial role in preserving the health and beauty of our planet’s shorelines. These activities are essential for maintaining the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, protecting wildlife from the dangers of pollution, and ensuring clean, safe beaches for human enjoyment and recreation.

A total of 442 participants attended the simultaneous coastal clean-up activities in the following locations which were spearheaded by the Regional Office – Conservation Development Division – Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section, and the four (4) coastal PENROs and its respective CENROs, to wit:

Regional Office – DENR X

The regional office of DENR X conducted the simultaneous coastal and underwater clean-up activity at Agutayan Island, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental with a total of 21 participants lead by the CDD-CRFMS participated by the LGU of Jasaan, Bamtay Dagat, and Mines and Geoscience Bureau X. Throughout the clean-up, it was found that the most common trash collected is microplastics which may be due to the garbage left by tourist in the island as well as washed in debris from the city proper through the ocean.

PENR and CENR Offices

With these clean-up sites, 120 sacks of trash were collected estimating 910 kg weight covering the distance of 17.34 km total length of the clean-up sites. Variety of types of items were collected ranging from plastic bottles, plastic wrappers, plastic bags to glass materials to appliances and electronics. The most common collected items are plastic trash and this is expected as an international study on plastic pollution has shown that the Philippines is the world’s leading contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans. Which is why conducting coastal clean-up and proper conservation and protection of coastal areas and ocean is an immediate course of action.

B. Ocean Dance “Hataw” at Covered Court Jasaan, Misamis Oriental (3:00 – 5:00 P.M.)

Prevention is better than cure, is a saying that would always be applicable to most problems we face and is not any different with the conducted CEPA activity by the regional office of DENR X conducted in Jasaan Covered Court on June 7, 2024 at 3:00-5:00 P.M. With this activity, the regional office promotes awareness through Ocean Dance “Hataw” by the CDD-CRFMS staffs led by Asst. Chief, CDD and Concurrent Chief CRFMS Forester.

This activity, with the imaginative mind of Forester Mercedita G. Barbarona and the rest of CRFMS staff spearheaded the Ocean Dance where 207 of Jasaan residents, LGUs, BLGUs and other organizations joined the “Hataw” Ocean Dance. The song played on the Ocean Dance was creatively composed by Forester Mercedita with fun and catchy tone to match the energetic choreography of the said dance. The celebration lasted for only 2 hours but the experience and the message forever embark to the lives of the participants. This activity is only the start of a much grander event that would culminate every conducted activity to further promote the protection of ocean and marine life and foster stakeholders’ collaboration to much better ocean future.

The Mayor of Jasaan, Hon. Redentor S. Jardin has a short welcome message to all of the participant, and followed by Forester Mercedita G. Barbarona on the rationale in line with the theme of World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day CY 2024. Also, an inspirational message was expressed by the representative of Hon. Cong. Bambi B. Emano, the 2^nd Legislative District of Misamis Oriental.

C. Beach Forest Species Growing – Brgy. Dela Paz, Clarin, Misamis Occidental lead by CENRO Ozamiz – June 7, 2024

This CEPA activity was an initiative lead by the CENRO Ozamiz together with NGAs, BLGUs, LGUs and other sectors (LGU Clarin, BLGU Dela Paz, PNP-Clarin, Philippine Ports Authority-Ozamiz, Global Port Terminal Ozamiz Inc. , KABALIKAT CIVICOM ASSOCIATION INC and Alpha Eta Upsilon) as a part of the World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day Celebration. As beach forests are a vital ecosystem that provide numerous benefits one of it being as natural barriers against coastal erosion, protect shorelines from storm surges, and support diverse wildlife habitats. Conducting said activity is crucial in restoring and preserving these critical areas. This proactive approach not only combats the adverse effects of climate change but also fosters a healthier and more resilient coastal environment.

A total of 72 Participated the beach forest species growing where 100 beach forest species of Baluk-baluk were planted in the coastal area in Brgy. Dela Paz, Clarin, Misamis Occidental by the CENRO Ozamiz.

There are plenty of other CEPA activity that could be conducted and PENRO Camiguin decided that they need to replenish and sustain the bamboo tree population in Mainit, Catamaran, Camiguin ENGP, together with Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Barangay Council of Mainit in Catarman, and, NAGPAKABANA MPC. This to show that any initiative in line with the conservation and protection of environment, and not just in coastal is always welcome and encouraged. 

A total 72 participated the bamboo tree growing of which 150 bamboo propagules composing species of Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) and Kawayan Killing (Bambusa vulgaris) were planted on both NGP Sites wherein 100 bamboo propagules at Timayog Creek and 50 bamboo propagules at Dal-as Creek with an overall total area planted more or less one (1) hectare.

E. Mangrove Planting – Mukas, Kolambugan and Tabigue, Kolambugan in Lanao Del Norte lead by CENRO Kolambugan and Iligan and PENRO Lanao del Norte, June 7, 2024

Mangroves serve as natural buffers, protecting shorelines from erosion, storm surges, and even tsunamis. They provide essential habitats for a variety of marine and terrestrial species, supporting biodiversity and fisheries. Conducting mangrove growing initiatives helps restore degraded areas, enhances carbon sequestration, and combats climate change. By planting and nurturing mangroves with the initiative of PENRO Lanao del Norte and CENRO Kolambugan and Iligan in collaboration with NGAs, NGOs, and other sectors (BFAR-PFO-LdN, MAO, BLGU of Tabigue, Kolambugan and SK Federation), it ensures the preservation of these vital ecosystems, which in turn supports coastal communities and promotes environmental sustainability for future generations.

A total of 68 participated the Mangrove planting in Mukas Kolambugan and Tabigue Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte and the initiative resulted in the successful planting of 500 propagules of the Bakaun species in the site as another medium of the celebration of the World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day on June 7, 2024.