Philippine Merchant Marine Academy through the Department of Research, Development, and Extension conducted a Coastal Clean-up in Celebration of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo 2023)
The Philippines is a maritime nation having more than 7,000 islands and more than 14,000 coastal communities which are highly reliant on marine resources for their source of living. Thus, it is vital that every Filipino must carry out initiatives to protect our countryโs maritime resources.
In line with this, Proclamation No. 316 dated September 14, 2017 was issued declaring the month of September as the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) to harmonize, integrate and synchronize programs and activities that will raise national consciousness on maritime and archipelagic issues and policies.
Accordingly, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy through the Department of Research, Development, and Extension (DRDE) conducted a coastal clean-up last September 15, 2023, a day before the International Coastal Clean-up Day. The activity was attended by DRDE staff, PMMA tactical officers and faculty members, Corps of Midshipmen, and Barangay officials and health workers from Brgy. Natividad, San Narciso, Zambales.
Several bags of trash composed mainly of plastic beverage bottles, food wrappers, plastic bottle caps, foam food containers, plastic straws, and glass bottles were collected by the participants along the coastline near the PMMA Safety Center. These trash bags were then collected by the LGU San Narciso garbage collectors.
Aside from the aforementioned activity, on September 27, 2023, the PMMA Graduate School is spearheading the conduct of a webinar with the theme West Philippine Sea: Then and Now in collabor
ation with the DRDE. Further, a mangrove planting activity shall also be carried out by DRDE in partnership with CENRO Olongapo and LGU San Narciso on September 29, 2023.
DRDE extends its gratitude to all those who have attended, participated, and supported this activity especially the PMMA administration headed by Superintendent, Commo Joel Y Abutal PMMA, Department of Midshipmen Affairs led by Capt Franco Ladica, Mess Unit, Barangay Natividad officials, and LGU San Narciso.
Let us all raise awareness on the growing pollution on our beaches and be united in addressing the threats to the coastal and marine environment toward preserving the Philippine maritime heritage.