Environment summit set in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Environment advocates will gather in this free port tomorrow for the 2nd Environmental Summit to follow through efforts in solving the problem of garbage in oceans and waterways.

With the theme, “Taking steps towards trash-free seas,” this year’s summit to be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center hopes to equal if not surpass the 1,400 delegates last year.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said awareness on environment issues is well-ingrained at Subic Freeport where coastal environment protection is always at the forefront.

“Not only is the Subic Bay community aware of these issues, but takes it even further by trying to change behaviors that cause pollution through proper education,” Garcia said.

“Subic stakeholders also help create a lifestyle that advocates a sustainable coastal environment,” he added.

The summit is expected to help establish the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) as a lifestyle and integrate it with community building activities; educate the public on the current environmental situation and policies; provide workshops to enhance skills and knowledge for citizen action; and create “eco-warriors” in schools to train environment leaders among the youth.

The summit follows in the steps of ICC Philippines, now on its 22nd year.

ICC happens every third Saturday of September, with participants of half a million people in 91 countries turning the tide on trash and addressing solutions to this global threat.

Guests include Matthias Gelber (Greenmanspeaks.com), co-founder of Maleki GmbH, a German company specializing in high performance, low carbon footprint construction materials; and Undersecretary Jose Luis Alano of the Office of the President’s National Coast Watch Council Secretariat.