In spite of the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, the Rotaract Club of Butuan East Central couldn’t help but to continue one of its advocacies in “SAVING ENVIRONMENT.”
The Rotaract Club of Butuan East Central headed by Life Changing President Kevin Pulta Paurillo and with the support of its mother club, the Rotary Club of Butuan East Central successfully conducted the “Coastal Clean Up and Team Building Activity” at Barangay Masao, Butuan City.
The activity was held in Masao, the only beach in Butuan City by its history as Magellan’s Landing Site. Every March 31, the City of Butuan celebrates “Mazaua Discovery Day to commemorate this historic milestone.
The activity was in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Butuan through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. It aims to raise environmental awareness in different communities not only in coastal areas but also in rivers and esteros, and even in residential backyards and neighborhood.
Clean-up activities also promote public involvement and participation on proper waste management and disposal in the community level considering that Masao is one and only beach visited in locality. Further, Environmental hazards such as COVID-19 and other pathogens can be avoided by cleaning one’s surroundings and by not polluting ecological systems especially in coastal areas.
Participants were grouped into three teams based on waste classification in order to attain the waste segregation practices in accordance to RA No. 9003 otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Right after, a team building/fellowship activity was conducted at the beach resort primarily owned by Rtn. Ronald Mernilo, the team building was concluded to purposely strengthen the camaraderie of its members.
Life Changing President Kevin Paurillo emphasized on his speech the importance of solid waste management and sanitation adherence in coastal areas considering coastal ecosystems play a vital role in global climate, it delivers a wide range of goods and services, he also asserted that there are future initiative projects and activities that the club will facilitate that will focus on preserving and protecting the environment. Also, a short program was initiated for the giving of certificate of appreciation to its members in commendation of their dedication and valuable support to this environmental advocacy activity.
The participants were grateful in fulfilling their part since the pandemic restriction hugely affects the lifestyle of the community and most of the people focusing on the preventive measures of the Covid-19 while environmental aspect left behind. In all, the entire members were able to participate while observing the standard health protocol set forth by the higher authority.
The club encourages the community to be part of this call towards ecological stability and environmental sustainability.
