Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region VI (DENR-6) Director Jim Sampulna recently discussed an initiative by the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) called “Scubasurero.”
The process involves a team of divers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the Far East Scubatech Institute (FESI), and DENR who collect debris that has gathered underwater.
A recent outing collected 50 kilograms of garbage off the coast of San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Debris includes plastic bottles, nylon strings, ropes, fish nets, rubber tires, sacks, steel pipes, styrofoam cups, and clothing.
San Joaquin is one of 15 coastal towns protected under the DENR-6 Convergence of Coastal Communities./WDJ