Some 29 volunteers from Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) and Shell Shared Service Centre-Manila (SSSC-Manila) took part in “ISKObasura”, a coastal clean-up activity in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on June 12, 2009.

A joint endeavour of the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro, city government of Calapan, the Malampaya Joint Venture Partners (MJVP), and the Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI), ISKObasura (Isakatuparan ang Kalinisan ng Karagatan sa Oriental Mindoro) is an underwater and coastal clean-up drive that serves as a venue to help teach residents the value of protecting their water resources and the environment.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Arnan Panaligan, MFI Executive Director Luke Esteban, and Shell Sustainable Development Manager Chito Maniago attended the event’s opening ceremony.

In his speech, Governor Panaligan reminded the residents in the coastal communities to take good care of the sea, the coastline, and their environment for it is their source of livelihood. “You will be the ones affected when the marine resources die so you should keep the ocean clean.”

The governor reported that the provincial government will implement a tree-planting programme in the coastal communities as part of their integrated coastal resource management programme.

He thanked the Malampaya Partners and the MFI for their continuous support to the provincial government in implementing various education and environmental programmes in Oriental Mindoro.

Esteban hopes the coastal clean-up project in Oriental Mindoro will continue, especially in Calapan City.

In his message before hundreds of fishermen and barangay officials, Esteban explained the importance of keeping the coastal areas clean and garbage-free. He said that large fish and marine mammals such as whales accidentally ingest garbage such as plastics and other non-biodegrable materials that can cause their death.

For his part, Maniago promised that the Malampaya Partners will continue to support the various environmental projects in the province. “We are happy that we were given the opportunity to help you clean the sea and coastline of garbage,” Maniago said.

Other guests during the event were Provincial Administrator Adel Abas, Oriental Mindoro Philippine Coastguard Chief Lt. Jr. Grade Algier Ricafrente, City Education Officer Marilyn Manigbas, and officials of the different Fisheries and Aquatic Community Councils of the 11 coastal communities in Calapan.

As part of ISKObasura, a coastal clean-up contest was held among the different communities in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.

Residents of Barangay Wawa took the Php 15,000 first prize for collecting 583 kilos of garbage. Second placer Barangay Mahal na Pangalan went home with the Php 10,000 prize after collecting 389 kilos of trash. Barangay San Antonio settled for third place and took the Php 5,000 prize with 363 kilos of garbage.

Barangays Lazareto, Pachoca, Calero, Tibag, Balite, Ibaba West, San Rafael and Ibaba East each received a Php 3,000 consolation prize. [SPEX Communications]

Close to 50 volunteers joined local officials and residents to clean up and mend the classrooms of the Baco National High School (BNHS)-Pulang Tubig Annex to prepare the facility for the start of classes last June 1. Barangay Mayagao is one of the four coastal barangays of Baco.

Brigada Eskwela volunteers painted the interior and exterior of the classrooms, including the roofs. Local ironsmiths also volunteered their services, creating 100 armchairs. Volunteers also paved the shallow area of the school using materials donated by the joint venture partners.

Dante Castillo, teacher-in-charge of BNHS, said the Brigada Eskwela project has helped ease the financial burden of the school and parents. He thanked all the volunteers and the leaders of the Parents-Teachers Community Association (PTCA) for their participation in the momentous activity that they considered as an answer to their prayers.

Malampaya provided all the materials needed for the project such as paint, iron, shovels, rakes and other equipment.

According to the principal, the Brigada Eskwela project will benefit not only the students in Barangay Mayagao but also other students from nearby barangays who study at BNHS.

Barangay Captain Armando Delgado was grateful for Malampaya’s assistance and encouraged his community to continue these efforts in partnership with the private sector.

Cecilia Zulueta, municipal planning and development officer, expressed both surprise and gratitude that an obscure and remote fishing village such as Pulang Tubig was awarded with such a project by Malampaya.

“We will not forget this gesture by Malampaya. They truly are willing to help,” Zulueta said to the volunteers from Manila on the day they arrived at Barangay Mayagao.

Rufino Asi, who donated the lot where the school stands, said the community made the right decision to set up a high school. He shared that during his time, he was the only one from Mayagao who finished high school. But he had to cross three rivers and walk far to reach the nearest school in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. He now feels encouraged that many have come to give financial assistance and contribute their time and effort in improving the school. “I hope that many more people like you will help us,” Asi expressed.

Others, such as the mayor of Baco, Hon. Graciano de la Chica, and President of the PTCA Imelda Catoy, extended their thanks to the volunteers.

Shell Sustainable Development Manager Chito Maniago and Malampaya Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Luke Esteban, also thanked the volunteers for their contributions. Other members of the Communications Team like SPEX and Exploration and Production Asia-Pacific Communications Advisor Christine Del Valle, Pilipinas Shell Sustainable Development Assistant Clara Antonette Eser, and staff from the Agatep Advertising Agency also graced the Brigada Eskwela activity.

“The Brigada Eskwela project is but the beginning of similar efforts in Baco and Oriental Mindoro,” Esteban said. [SPEX Communications]

Brigada Eskwela 2009 volunteers from Shell companies in the Philippines