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SCUBAsurero EMS I Hernan Merillo during the underwater clean-up

Calauag, QUEZON — To maintain and protect the coastal and marine ecosystem, the CENRO Calauag "SCUBAsureros” spearheaded a dive cleanup within Balagbag Sanctuary Point in Calauag Bay, simultaneous with the cleanup activities participated by the coastal community along the shores of Brgy. Sto. Angel, June 25. 

In almost three hours travel from Calauag Port, the SCUBAsureros and personnel from the Conservation and Development Section of CENRO Calauag and PENRO Quezon reached the coast of Brgy. Sto. Angel through contract boats.

SCUBAsurero diving team plunged to the pelagic marine ecosystem of Balagbag Reef and Fish Sanctuary, 16-meter-deep, to conduct the removal of the underwater debris as headed by the Chief, CDS of PENRO Quezon, Josephine Barrion.

 Since “SCUBAsurero Program” is a synchronized cleanup, a team composed of CENRO Calauag personnel together with the Sanggunian Kabataan and Barangay Tanod of Brgy. Sto. Angel, had also undertaken cleanup activity along the coastal areas of the barangay.

Plastic sachets and bottles, rugged clothes, and used nets were collected during the cleanup.

Brgy. Chairperson Thelma Sevial assured support that they will continue to conduct regular cleanup along the coastal areas of Sto. Angel.

Moreover, upon observation and removal of underwater debris, only few plastic sachets and bottles were collected. Coral reefs and other marine life are found to be in good condition.

According to SCUBAsurero of PENRO Quezon, EMS I Hernan Merillo, licensed diver, and former personnel of CENRO Calauag; “The community of Brgy. Sto. Angel are mostly dependent on marine resources. Hence, we (DENR) highly encourage the community of Sto. Angel and other coastal communities to partake in solid waste management activities led by LGUs and other volunteers. This is to reduce the drivers of degradation and threats in the coastal and marine resources —to achieve and promote sustainability of the ecosystem services, food security and climate change resiliency for the benefit of the present and future generations.” ###