On April 23, 2021, DENR CENRO Lipa conducted SCUBasurero/ Underwater and Coastal Clean Up Activities in Mabini, Batangas.

The said activities were facilitated by personnel/ technical staff including licensed divers from the Conservation and Development Section of this Office and was participated-in by Green Fins (GF) members and “potential” GF members of different dive shops/ resorts, and volunteer divers from different organizations, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), LGU Mabini- Agriculture and Tourism Office, Bantay Dagat and Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC).

An approximate distance of 104 meters was covered during the Coastal Clean-Up activity in the Anilao Pier Coastal Area, Mabini, Batangas. As for the underwater/ SCUBAsurero covered Five (5) sites namely: Anilao Awari Bay (Front), Anilao Photo Academy (Anilao House Reff), Anilao Pier, Matu Rock and Vistamar Steps.

A total of sixty-three (63) sacks of wet and dry trash/ wastes weighing approximately 949.6 kilograms mainly composed of plastics such as food wrappers, plastic cups and bottles, packaging materials were collected and segregated according to classification as provided in the Volunteer Ocean Trash Data Form by the Ocean Conservancy for the purpose of proper accounting, management and disposal of the said wastes. The consolidated data reflected on the Data Form was properly submitted and discussed to the LGU for their appropriate action.

Also, several disposable and reusable cloth facemasks and faceshields were collected in both coastal and underwater clean-ups.

Disposal of wastes collected was facilitated by the LGU-Mabini Agriculture and Tourism Office headed by Municipal Agriculturist Constancio Ronald Castillo and Municipal Tourism Officer Florian Bueno.

We would like to extend appreciation to the volunteer partners and sponsors that made this clean up possible:

LGU Mabini- Tourism Office

LGU Mabini- Agriculture Office

Anilao Scuba Dive Center (Active Green Fins member)

Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort (Active Green Fins member)

200 Bar Dive Shop (candidate Green Fins member)

Anilao Awari Bay Resort

Anilao Photo Academy

Bubblemaker Dive & Beach Resort

Isla Water Sports and Resorts, Inc.

Stella Maris Liveaboards

Anilao MACRO Spotters Association, Inc.

Philippine Coast Guard- Mabini

Bantay Dagat

Community Fish Landing Center

Be informed further that all the precautionary measures and safety protocols re: COVID-19 threat were properly practiced and observed during the said activity.