In a small town in Albay, the marine environment houses diverse aquatic species crucial for biodiversity. Unfortunately, the climate crisis is set to worsen the reduction of diversity in marine ecosystems, which prompts the need to adopt sustainable practices and preserve with urgency the resources in coastal regions.
The Environmental Conservation for Sustaining Tiwi’s Aquatic Resources (ECO-STAR), a program by the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC) which is a unit of SM Investments Corporation, helps rehabilitate the beach and mangrove areas across 14 coastal barangays in the town. This effort contributes to the fight against declining biodiversity protection and, ultimately, climate warming.
To better serve local communities, the program has developed a watch station area that would serve as the town's information center for coastal and fishery education, which includes addressing the harmful effects of illegal fishing.
"Our holistic approach to coastal conservation not only focuses on environmental protection but also on improving the livelihoods of local families. By integrating education, community engagement, and sustainable practices, we aim to create lasting benefits for both the environment and the people,” said Napoleon Saporsantos Jr., president at PGPC.
The company said since the program’s inception, it has overseen the planting and nurturing of over 300,000 mangrove and beach tree species and facilitated the rescue and release of 327 sea turtles, which received financial support through its fundraising events.
Meanwhile, since 2017, PGCP said it has contributed to restoring the Bariis River in the town through coastal clean-up activities, solid waste management, tree planting, and awareness campaigns. This river, formerly polluted, now has one of the most acceptable qualities recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau.
“While the Bariis River is crucial to our renewable energy operations, our primary goal is to ensure the health of our ecosystems. Clean rivers contribute to a healthy environment overall, and that’s why we are dedicated to their preservation,” he added.
Moving forward, the program seeks to continue working toward transforming Tiwi into an Eco-Adventure Marine Park, with plans underway for team-building activities, wildlife conservation, and livelihood improvements.
Collective action is key to protecting our natural resources, which starts by building on awareness about their decline and later joining eco-initiatives that champion their conservation. ECO-STAR shows it takes a village to help restore our finite resources, urging each of us to act now and preserve the biodiversity that thrived long before us.