Festival highlights conservation of Coral Reefs

Sangkalikasan is one of the few successful organizations in the Philippines that have effectively restored, rescued, and grown corals. To date, it has successfully grown close to one million corals nationwide! —Jun M. Aguirre

ZAMBOANGA City– The Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative (SPC) has lauded the initiative of the city government in conserving the coral reefs as part of their Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

Justine Robin Brett, SPC Goodwill Ambassador said that she was invited by the city government and their tourism office to give an inspirational speech during the program.

“We in the North express our voice to the South, we recognize the importance of the Ocean and that we shall continuously support all activities to protect our Ocean and marine ecosystems. The devastating effects of climate change, drought, floods, dwindling live fish catch, and ocean level rise, affect the South as well as the North,”  Brett who hails from Baguio City said.

The Zamboanga Hermosa Festival (Celebracion de Colores) is a month-long celebration commemorating the Feast of Nuestra Senora la Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of Pillar) and to introduce the Patroness of Asia’s Latin City. The said festival is held a month-long in October.

One of the highlights of the said festival is the holding of a dive safari at Pink Island in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Zamboanga.

Brett said that the SPC lauds  City Mayor John Dalipe, Councilor Vino Guingona , City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian, and the Zamboanga Divers for their efforts in saving the coral reefs of Zamboanga.

“The Southern Philippines is not alone. We have no more time and the time to act is now. Zamboanga City serves as our inspiration with its progressive plans to integrate ecosystem conservation, tourism, and industrialization,” she added. #  Jun M. Aguirre