Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) marks another milestone in its award-winning corporate social responsibility program as it harnesses the synergy of its local government partners in marine ecosystem preservation.
Set in March 17-18, 2018, in Antipolo City, the event titled “Shore It Up Confluence: Charting Our 10th Year,” will gather the local chief executives from partner LGUs namely Alaminos City (Pangasinan), Del Carmen (Surigao del Norte), Mabini (Batangas), Medina (Misamis Oriental), and Cordova (Cebu).
Incepted in 2009 in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy, it is the country’s longest corporate environmental program which involves volunteer scuba divers from the MVP Group of Companies and local communities.
The event will also induct Shore It Up’s Board of Advisors namely Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Rear Admiral Geronimo Reyes, mangrove ecosystem guru Dr. Jurgenne Primavera, ecotourism advocate Caloy Libosada, endangered marine species authority AA Yaptinchay, and technical diving expert Jake Miranda.
According to MPIC vice president for communications Melody Del Rosario, the conglomerate is taking its environmental advocacy to the next level by engaging in long-term sustainable programs by involving local stakeholders.
She said that MPIC chief executive officer Manuel Pangilinan will lead in setting the new directions of the program as it marks its tenth year in 2018.
She added that with this wholistic endeavor, the program hopes to bring a positive impact on the environment, as well as the economic and socio-cultural life in the areas they venture into.
“For the past nine years, Shore It Up has mustered over 75,000 volunteers from Metro Pacific firms, the government sector, academe and civil society groups in activities such as underwater and coastal cleanup, mangrove and tree planting, giant clam rearrangement, artificial reef restoration, environmental education for school children through the Junior Environmental Scouts (JES) and livelihood for coastal villagers,” Del Rosario enthused.
She added that Metro Pacific has also embarked on the infrastructure aspect of marine environmental restoration with the construction of Mangrove Propagation and Information Centers in Alaminos City and Siargao Island, and a marine laboratory in Mabini, the first of its kind in the country.
Shore It Up is a recipient of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ Anvil Award of Merit for sustained environmental program for the environment from 2011 to 2013, as well as the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program in the Corporate Governance Asia Award in the same period.