Gingoog City's environment chief is urging residents to dispose of their waste properly, warning that trash dumped on land eventually reaches the sea and threatens the city's protected marine sanctuary.
Engr. John Keno T. Ong, head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), called on residents in both coastal and upland barangays to strengthen solid waste management to protect Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), particularly Puntod Shoal.
"Marine protection begins in every household and every barangay. If waste is not properly managed, it will eventually end up in the ocean and damage our marine resources," Ong said.
His appeal echoed the environmental mission established when Gingoog sinks giant Marian statue to protect seas, inspire faith, marked by the July 30 enthronement and blessing of the seven-foot, 1,500-kilogram Our Lady Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) statue now installed about 12 feet underwater at Puntod Shoal, around 1.5 kilometers off Barangay San Juan. During the ceremony, Mayor Erick G. Cañosa urged residents, tourists, divers, and fisherfolk to help preserve the city's Marine Protected Area by keeping its waters free of garbage and pollution.
The mayor urged residents, tourists, divers and fisherfolk to help preserve the city's Marine Protected Area by keeping its waters free of garbage and pollution.
"Let us maintain its cleanliness," Cañosa said, stressing that protecting the sanctuary is a shared responsibility.
Ong said the ENRO regularly conducts coastal and underwater clean-up drives at Puntod Shoal and other MPAs with volunteer divers led by Police Col. Ariel Philip I. Pontillas, environmental groups and other stakeholders.
The clean-up operations are part of the city's long-term marine conservation program aimed at protecting coral reefs, fish habitats and other marine life.
During Coral Triangle Day in June, volunteers collected nearly 94 kilograms of waste from Puntod Shoal, including plastic, glass bottles, clothing, abandoned fishing nets and other debris from both the shoreline and the seabed.
Ong said the success of Gingoog's marine conservation efforts depends on the continued cooperation of local communities, visitors and the fishing sector.
He also warned that violators caught dumping garbage into the sea, rivers and other waterways will face penalties under the city's solid waste management ordinance.
Puntod Shoal, now home to Gingoog City's underwater Marian sanctuary, has become both an environmental and tourism landmark, underscoring the need to keep its waters clean for future generations.
