LINGAYEN—The Save Lingayen Gulf (SLING) campaign, a brainchild of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr., and Shore-It-Up drive, launched by Manny V. Pangilinan, have joined hands for environmental protection activities in Pangasinan on August 24 and 25.

The provincial government recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. (MPIF) chaired by Pangilinan for the implementation of coastal and underwater clean-up campaign for the Lingayen Gulf.

Espino hailed the project of the foundation dubbed, “Shore-it-Up: Rescue, Restore, Revive campaign,” saying this will serve as a vital support to the Lingayen Gulf Rehabilitation program which is an existing scheme of the provincial government to help revive and regain the natural beauty of the Lingayen Gulf and other waterways in Pangasinan which was launched in 2009.

Activities to be undertaken by the MPIF in collaboration with the present administration’s SLING campaign will kick off on August 24 involving the re-arrangement of giant clams or “taklobos” at Quezon Island in Alaminos City and mangrove planting in Brgy. Bued, a coastal barangay in Alaminos.

Melody M. Del Rosario, MPIF VP for Public Relations and Corporate Communications, said the first dive for the re-arrangement of clams will occur at 11 in the morning while the second dive will be held right after lunchtime on the same day.

The re-arrangement of giant clams, according to Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya, will enable the species to have enough breathing space and favorable habitat for healthier existence.

The giant clams, Moya said, have multiplied and they are now fighting for survival due to congestion.

Mangrove planting in the area will be conducted at 4 p.m. with. Espino leading the activity followed by the groundbreaking for the construction of Mangrove Information Center.

Simultaneous coastal clean-up at the Lingayen Gulf with the participation of 10,000 volunteers will be held on August 25 involving all 14 coastal towns and cities in Pangasinan.

The 14 coastal towns include the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan, municipalities of Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Burgos, Dasol, Agno, Infanta, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, and San Fabian.

Following the simultaneous coastal clean –up on the same day is an environmental awareness seminar for young students.

All activities are expected to raise awareness and gather strong support among the local residents to further the cause of environmental protection not just in Pangasinan but throughout the country.

While the revival of the SLING campaign has bagged several citations and awards (provincial and regional) for its impact, Shore- It-Up campaign has likewise started to earn popularity in the countryside.

SLING was conceptualized by Espino way back in the early ‘90s when he was still the Provincial Commander of Philippine National Police-Pangasinan. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

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