Scuba divers, volunteers clean up drive for Boracay environment

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Security forces for Boracay ministerial meetings of Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) were deployed not only to secure the delegates.

                                                                PHOTOS VENGIE REPEDRO

Volunteers from the police and military are also taking part in community outreach programs  in the famous resort island. 

On February 18, divers joined the underwater coastal cleanup to sustain and protect Boracay Island’s environment. 

The campaign was initiated by Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI), Boracay Business Administration of Scuba Shops (BBASS) and participated by Senior Inspector Jesus Salvo of Boracay Tourist Assistance Center, Senior Police Officer 4 Vengie Repedro of Aklan Police Provincial Office and Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero of Philippine Army 12^th Infantry Battalion. 

Divers collected 15 sacks of garbage such as plastic wrappers, bottles, cans and other assorted trash. Most of the unwanted garbage on the sea floor was collected between Station 2 and Station 1 at a depth of 15 meters. 

 

According to Labatiao, scuba instructors, divemasters and volunteer divers are collecting the garbage on a regular basis in various locations to help avert marine habitat destruction.  

On the other hand, volunteers of Task Group Boracay of 2017 Asean Summit also conducted simultaneous coastal clean-up at Angol Beach, Puka Beach and Bulabog Beach from February 16 to 17.

Task Unit Community Relations and volunteers also distributed sacks of rice, boxes of noodles and assorted biscuits and conducted feeding program to the members of Boracay Ati community as part of the community outreach programs on February 18.

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.