Out of Town Blog
Metro Pacific shores up marine biodiversity and ecotourism
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is publicly known as a large conglomerate involved in utilities and key businesses such as telecommunications, tollways, water, power distribution, medical care, mining, and leisure development, among others.
But unknown to many, the diverse business group is deeply involved in corporate social responsibility programs that has far-reaching impacts which help maintain marine diversity and promote ecotourism for the past 15 years.
The initiative dubbed “Shore It Up!” was born in dive resort town of Mabini, Batangas as MPIC’s humble contribution to the annual International Coastal Cleanup, and as a response to Metro Manila’s inundation due to typhoon Ondoy in 2009.
As an innovator, MPIC took the typical cleanup to the next level by enlisting divers to retrieve underwater trash, and conducting community-based educational and livelihood activities to help reduce solid wastes at the source.
For more than a decade, these activities served as the template of Shore It Up! which will later blossom into a comprehensive and multi-awarded biodiversity program, both here and abroad.
This winning formula was replicated in key coastal areas, such as Alaminos City, Pangasinan; Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte; Medina, Misamis Oriental; Cordova, Cebu; and Subic Bay.
Countless coastal and underwater cleanups later, it would metamorphose into more long-lasting, impactful and sustainable programs in partnership with local governments and community stakeholders.
Over the past 15 years, SIU spread its wings in 12 locations, mobilizing some 87,000 volunteers, 2,600 runners and 1,034 scuba divers, and has reached out to 464 organizations and local government units, 180 families, and 2,800 school children under the Junior Environmental Scouts.
It has also trained and supported 10 eco-guides and 36 marine guardians to help boost local tourism and protect the coastal and aquatic resources.
A notable program component is the Mangrove Propagation and Information Center which was put up in Alaminos, Siargao, and Cordova, and serves as a reception area for tourists before heading out to the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, the Mangrove Forest and Sugba…
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