The Month of the Ocean (MOO) is celebrated annually in the Philippines during the month of May. This year marks the 16th year the country is celebrating the “Month of the Ocean” (MOO). By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 57 issued in 1999, the month of May was declared as the MOO. Activities to be conducted in observance of the MOO aims to highlight the importance and significance of conservation, protection, and sustainable management of Philippine coastal and marine resources.
Pres. Proc. No. 75 mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) to spearhead the activities of MOO in collaboration with the different sectors of the society.
[ http://ncr.denr.gov.ph/index.php/87-regional-articles-default/300-moto%5D
Movement Against Plastic Pollution – Ilocos Norte organized an ocean walk and clean-up to celebrate this event. The said event was joined by people from the youth sector — SIKA – Currimao, MMSU- College of Aquatic Scieneces and Applied Technology students, and residents of the community.
This event also aims to collect the trashes left behind by tourists and locals from the recently conducted town fiesta.
We were able to collect 14 sacks of non-biodegradable materials, mostly were disposable cups and utensils.
We had a small socialization and had simple snacks after our clean-up. That same day, we had a report that there were bunch of trashes along the coast of Pangil Rock Formation, so we conducted a small meeting for an emergency clean-up.
Afternoon of that same day, we went to Pangil and conducted an emergency clean-up. We had 14 volunteers, and we managed to collect 97.4 kilos of trashes in and out of the water.
More details about the said emergency clean-up will be posted next.
Beyond Words and Places 