The Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro took part in the coastal clean-up and underwater garbage collection (“Scubasurero”) activities on 30 May 2019 organized by the Coast Guard District Northern Mindanao as part of the series of events for their 20th Founding Anniversary and their Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU).

The PMO Personnel and all other participants such as from LGU Opol and the residents proceeded to their assigned beach areas around Barangay Tabok,Opol as early as 6:00 in the morning, bringing their own cleaning materials.

The PMO alone collected a total of six (6) kilos of garbage along the shore which was mostly composed of cigarette butts and empty bottles. The participants urged for the prohibition of smoking on beaches, for not only do these affect the aesthetic beauty of the beaches, but its chemical components may be also toxic for fish and harmful to the aquatic environment.

Meanwhile, two (2) PMO personnel from the Port Police Division who are trained divers were tapped by the PCG to join the underwater garbage collection, coined as “scubasurero” activity.

—IMR Lam