LINGAYEN, Pangasinan , Philippines – The provincial government of Pangasinan has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation Inc. (MPIF) for the implementation of a coastal and underwater cleanup campaign along the Lingayen Gulf.
Gov. Amado Espino Jr. hailed the project dubbed as “Shore-it-Up: Rescue, Restore, Revive campaign,†even as he noted that this would support the Lingayen Gulf Rehabilitation program, an existing campaign of the provincial government to help revive and regain the beauty of the gulf and other waterways in the province.
Espino had initiated rehabilitation programs in 2009 that led to the clearing and cleaning of the Lingayen Gulf as well as other river tributaries. The program has earned several awards and citations for the province.
Ma. Luisa Elduayan, tourism division chief, said the highlight of the commitment would focus on the manpower requirement and coordinating support during the activity.
The city government of Alaminos, led by Mayor Arthur Celeste, also signed an MOU – along with other towns and provinces in the country – with MPIF.
MPIF, chaired by businessman Manny Pangilinan, is a non-stock, non-profit corporation engaged in infrastructure projects in the country.
The Shore-It-Up campaign is now on its fifth year.
Aside from coastal and underwater cleanup, the campaign also involves environmental awareness sessions, tree planting, waste segregation, and installation of artificial reefs.