METRO PACIFIC Investments Corp. (MPIC) has teamed up with the local government of Marinduque to boost awareness of the environment and protect the province’s marine biodiversity.
In a statement during the weekend, MPIC said its corporate social responsibility arm Metro Pacific Investments Foundation had signed an agreement with Marinduque for a program created for coastal communities.
“I am pleased that we have institutionalized collaboration among our member companies with different stakeholders from government, academe and civil society to rapidly respond to socio-economic issues of our country, as well as to proactively support activities towards community development,” said MPIC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
“We, as a business, strive to fulfill our share of the responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change — a goal that we are slowly attaining through this cause,” he added.
The signing of a memorandum of understanding between MPIC and Marinduque through Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, who represents a legislative district of the province at the House of Representatives, will activate the adoption of MPIC’s flagship environmental program called Shore It Up!
The program aims to raise environmental awareness, provide livelihood assistance, protect and propagate mangroves, and conserve the country’s marine resources.
For its 12th year, the award-winning environmental sustainability movement, chose Marinduque as its community partner because of the province’s geographic location as a center of marine biodiversity.
The partnership includes the formation of the marine protection, inspection and conservation guardians and the implementation of underwater and coastal clean-ups.
Shore It Up! will also develop a program that protects more than 2,000 hectares of mangroves, raising awareness on conservation efforts within the province.
Mr. Velasco said: “The province of Marinduque is very much pleased that Shore It Up! and the MVP group decided to implement their MPIC Guardians Program here in our island, so that our bantay dagats can serve with authority as better stewards of our seas to heighten the protection and conservation efforts in our province.”
Marinduque is the eighth Shore It Up! site in the country. The island province, a popular destination among diving aficionados, attracts tourists for its “rustic, calm and blissful atmosphere,” MPIC said.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the program will earmark specific efforts and sustainable programs that will benefit not only the environment, but also the local community of Marinduque.
