KBP-ZDS chapter conducts coastal clean up drive in Pitogo town

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, February 7 (KBP)- As a show of caring for the environment and at the same time, encourage and raise awareness on the importance of keeping water sources, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)-Zamboanga del Sur chapter conducted a coastal clean up drive in Panikian Island (also known as Turtle Island) on February 4.

The local chapter under the leadership of Melchor Coronel, the chairman in partnership with the local government unit of Pitogo together with 50 officers and members went around the island's shore and picked up non-biodegradable wastes in order to protect the cleanliness of the ocean and also to preserve the habitat of our fish.

Coronel said the coastal clean up was held in Pitogo so that the KBP members can participate in cleaning the ocean and they can develop their love for our environment not only in Pagadian city but in other parts of the province.

"We are happy that the LGU-Pitogo through Mayor James Yecyec allowed the local chapter to conduct clean up drive around the island before it is temporarily closed. In this activity, we collected a lot of garbage such as plastic bottles, empty bottles of soft drinks, cellophane, styrofoam and others," Coronel said.

Danilo Pelare, the station manager of Malindang Broadcasting Network (MBN) said that the staff of their office participated in the coastal clean-up because they have an obligation to care for the environment.

"I believe that the clean up activity is a way to encourage our people to clean our oceans regularly so that it can be preserved and that we also have more fish to eat," said Pelare.

In the same development, Mayor James Yecyec was impressed with the concern shown by the organization because their activity helped maintain the cleanliness around the island and the garbage does not return to the sea.

According to Yecyec, the activity conducted by the KBP was in good timing because it happened one day before the LGU temporarily closed the island.

Yecyec explained that there is an order from the Department of Environment and Natural (DENR) to temporarily close Panikian island until the LGU can submit a tourism plan through an ordinance so that we can collect a P100 environmental fee from to foreign and local tourists.

"When my tourism projects are completed within the island, I will again invite your organization to implement the coastal clean up drive because I have seen your dedication to help preserve the water resources in our area," Yecyec concluded. (GCC/KBP-Zamboanga del Sur)