Makati, Philippines, 1st September 2022 – Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of leading investments company Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), launched the municipal-wide underwater and coastal clean-up in Mabini, Batangas, under its environmental flagship program, Shore it Up! (SIU) in time for the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day 2022.
In partnership with the Mabini local government led by Municipal Mayor Atty. Nilo Villanueva, the Resort Owners Association of Mabini (ROAM), and Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST), five resorts collected over 100kg of trash on launch day. Wrappers & sachets, beverage bottles, single-use plastics, plastic pieces, and plastic bottle caps were the top five types of waste collected in these areas.
Over 300 volunteers from 25 resorts committed to conducting their own underwater and coastal clean-ups for the rest of the month.
“As we join the rest of the world to fight for trash free seas, we also safeguard our local marine resources with SIU programs on mangrove protection and propagation, marine protected areas, and environmental awareness,” says MPIF President Melody del Rosario.
SIU’s ICC event was also done in collaboration with Pascual Lab, who donated vitamin packs and medicines for all volunteers, resort owners, and barangays in Mabini.
Shoring Up Mabini
In line with Villanueva’s revived thrust towards prioritizing marine conservation initiatives in the area, MPIF organized the ICC activity to bring together local dive experts, dive enthusiasts, and business owners to take responsibility for the state of their coastal and marine ecosystems. As an area that thrives on ecotourism, Mabini and its neighboring Batangas areas are gradually managing through the new normal.
As SIU celebrates a decade and a half of championing the environment, this event solidifies its commitment to the municipality as part of the Mabini Coastal Resource Management – Technical Working Group (MCRM-TWG), as well as bolsters its contribution to its blue footprint across the country.
“The Municipality of Mabini is grateful that MPIF, through Shore It Up!, never fails to protect areas that are hubs of diverse marine ecology and prosper through ecotourism,” says Villanueva. “The work that they do, and more importantly, the work we can do together, is a testament to the unmatched value of collaboration for a mutual purpose.”
BEST, who is set to become the Municipality’s partner in waste management, collected the recyclable trash upon proper weighing and segregation. The waste obtained from the clean-up will be converted into environmental points for MPIC.
Renewing its Commitment to Coastal Resources
According to the Executive Order (EO) recently signed by Villanueva, it is integral to adopt an approach that mutually addresses both environmental and socio-economic issues to provide optimum resource utilization and sustainable coastal and marine development. The EO also outlines the three working committees that will fulfill varied responsibilities: (1) the Coastal Resource Management Code Review and Revision Working Committee; (2) the Coastal Resource Management Office and Planning Working Committee; and (3) the Bantay Dagat Re-organization and Capacity-Building Working Committee.
Represented by Del Rosario, with the help of its Board of Advisors who are experts in various marine and coastal sectors, SIU pledges its support to the municipality and to all Mabinians.
Other members of the MCRM-TWG with various competencies are the following individuals: Mr. Romy Trono, Independent Consultant for the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) – South China Sea Strategic Action Program (SCS-SAP) Project and former Country Director of WWF Philippines and Conservation International Philippines; Atty. Mario Maderazo, an Environmental Lawyer with extensive experience in policy support to LGUs and capacity building for community-based enforcement; Dr. Ricardo Sandalo, UPLB College of Human Ecology Dean who worked with the Mabini LGU on its previous CRM program; Janette Medina Dolor, former WWF staff for Mabini Projects; Dr. Jayvee Saco of the BSU-VIP Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Science; Jake Calangi, Resort Owners Association of Mabini President; and Richard Hirsch, the founder of Applied Planning & Infrastructure Inc. (APII) and former director of the Louis Berger Group’s Integrated Development Business with 25 years of service in the fields of development communications, public diplomacy, and capacity building.
Dive resort owners Dave Santos of BUCEO Resort, Dong Vergara of Casa Escondida Resort, Jose “Joey” Fullon of Planet Dive Resort; Fr. Jing Buensalida; dive boat operator Doroteo Cruzat; fisherfolk Rodolfo Isla; and divers Edilberto Dipasupil and Julsie Schmid complete the MCRM-TWG. Their expertise in various fields can contribute to the new CRM roadmap of the municipality.
Shore It Up!’s partnership with the Municipality of Mabini, ROAM, BEST, and Pascual Lab for ICC 2022 is aligned with Gabay Kalikasan, one of the MVP Group’s Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines. It is also in line with MPIC’s efforts to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 14 Life Below Water, 15 Life on Land, and 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
The mobilization of this event also bolsters MPIF’s role alongside MPIC, as the largest catalyst for a Sustainable Philippines, aimed to improve the lives in the country through providing essential services and mobilizing advocacies that uplift the quality of life of all Filipinos.
About MPIC
MPIC is a leading investment company with holdings in Manila Electric Company, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., MetroPac Water Investments Corporation, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., Light Rail Manila Corporation and mWell PH. The Company seeks to create long-term value for all its stakeholders through responsible and sustainable investments that contribute to national progress and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.
MPIC and its group of companies are making a difference in the lives of millions of Filipinos, powering commerce and households, connecting people and places, delivering clean and safe water, and making world-class healthcare available to all.
About MPIF
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (“MPIF”) is a constituent of the Corporate Social Responsibility Council of the Manuel V. Pangilinan (“MVP”) group of companies, known as “Tulong Kapatid”. It has a Board of Trustees and is collectively managed by MVP group representatives with the objective of complementing MPIC’s investment and management strategy in physical infrastructure and public services by helping to alleviate poverty, provide high-quality educational opportunities for children and promote conservation of our natural environment.
