Protecting Davao City’s waters, just a text away

Environment protection may seem like a gargantuan task in most countries, but in Davao City, protecting the pristine clear waters of the Davao Gulf is just a text away.
“We have coordinated with Smart Telecommunications for the Save Davao Gulf Foundation Inc’s Infoboard,” city council committee on environment chair Leo Avila said during the recent Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo Davao.
While most value added service requires the payment of P2.50 per transaction, the SDGFI Infoboard only requires a payment of P1.00, hence it is very affordable for environment advocates.
“If you evidence of pollution in the Davao Gulf, like for example an oil spill, then you may immediately inform the Coast Guard by just texting,” Avila said.
It is fairly easy to be part of the Infoboard. Simply register for free, subscribe to Save Davao Gulf announcements, and you’re on. The P1.00 per message text applies to all Smart and Talk and Text subscribers.
Avila, who is also chairperson of the Davao Gulf management council, said they are encouraging Dabawenyos to take part in protecting Davao Gulf by participating in various activities slated during the observance of Davao Gulf Week. These activities are aimed at lessening the impact of climate change along the coastal communities in the city, he said.
“Those who are living in the coastal areas do not even know what they should do when the sea level rises, so it is important that they join the climate change summit,” he said.
Part of the campaign to protect Davao Gulf includes the preparation of Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps.
“These include vulnerable areas where there are coastal communities that depend on the body of water for livelihood,” he said. Vulnerable areas are defined as areas where there are large amounts of coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses.
Avila noted the increasing number of volunteers usually gathered by the city when there are coastal cleanup activities. “This has made the city the center of the world’s coastal cleanup,” he added. [LAC]