Greenpeace Urges UP Students to Save Seas

Tug-ani UP Cebu Publication Date: [August-October 2006 Issue]

A call to protect the oceans was the message of the “Save the Seas Forum” held last September 1 at the UP Cebu College COnference Hall. The UP Cebu Student COuncil, the Fisherfolk Development Center (FIDEC) and the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) presented the forum.

“In the context of the Guimaras oil spill, it is but proper that we, the Iskolar ng Bayan, involves ourselves in an issue which not only affects the Filipino people but the whole world in general,” UP Cebu COllege SC Chairman Karlo Mikhail Mongaya said in his opening remarks.

The main speaker, Danny Ocampo, a campaigner for Greenpeace International Southeast Asia, talked abou how to defend the oceans. Greenpeace is involved in rehabilitation work in Guimaras, documenting the state of the mangroves in the region, and conducting underwater research and preliminary survey.

“Theimpact won’t be seen in the next few weeks, but in the next few months,” Ocampo assessed of the damage the oil spill brought to the seas.

He recommended that marine resources be cultivated, that coral reefs be protected, and that Petron be made accountable for the oil spill.

“I hope we remeber that what we do in land has impact on 70 percent of the Earth, which is our seas,” he reminded UPians.

Meanwhile, Vince Cinches, executive director of FIDEC gave a brief presentation about their office, which is a non-stock, non-pogit organization for marginal fisherfolks in Region 7. FIDEC extend socio-economic development assistance, legal aid, dialogue facilitation and marine resource protection to various fishing communities.

Atty. Amelie Amor Estrada of ELAC, also gave a presentation of what their organization was all about. ELAC is a non-profit, non-government organization which help communities defend the earth. Their programs include developmental legal assistance, community-based resource management, education and training, advocacy campaigns, and research and enforcement of laws. By Arrah Camillia Quistadio