Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. recently joined the International Coastal Cleanup Day in support of ocean preservation activities of the Subic Bay Freeport community.
SBITC volunteers, together with participants from the Freeport community, collected trash along the coastline areas of the Subic Freeport. SBITC volunteers were designated to clean up the southern and western coastal areas of New Container Terminal 1 and 2.
“SBITC looks forward to participating in coastal cleanups regularly. Sustaining this initiative is a means for us to contribute to environmental preservation. This raises our awareness in proper waste disposal,” said Mechell Madriaga, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Head, who led the activity along with Henry Dungca, SBITC Acting Terminal Manager.
SBITC volunteers were able to fill 40 sacks of plastic beverage bottles, food wrappers, and styrofoam.
“In SBITC, we have already prohibited the usage of single-use plastics as we continue to improve our waste management policies. The sea is valuable in our operations and we are committed to preserve our water resources,’’ said Dungca.
SBITC, an ICTSI company, is a common-user, multi-purpose terminal, providing on and off-dock marine port cargo and container handling services in Subic Freeport Area. It is one of the leading port operators in the world which leverages on fast, reliable, and cost-efficient system.
In 2015, the Philippines was ranked as the world’s third largest contributor of plastic waste into the ocean in a report by the Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment.
SBITC strictly implements policies on the management of hazardous wastes and utilization of hazardous materials in their operations, in accordance with Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
“In SBITC, we monitor waste disposal as a part of our community-building initiatives. Aside from environmental preservation, our management also spearheads other programs such as medical missions, relief operations, etc. that will further aid development in Subic Bay,” said Madriaga.
International Coastal Cleanup Day is held annually every third Saturday of September by the Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in the United States. It promotes cooperation across the nation to save the oceans and keeps coastal communities healthy and safe.