United through service, a total of 16 university and external organizations gave up a Sunday and joined the UGSAD Full Moon Clean-Up Drive along the coastline of Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, Iloilo City yesterday, September 7.

The participants of the coastal clean-up assembled at 1500H in front of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Arevalo), Inc.

The following university-based organizations took part in this initiative, namely, the Community Extension Services Society, Polaris Class Organization, Vanguards Society, Green Team, Women in Maritime-Youth JBLFMU-A, Fifth District Sailor’s Organization, Lapis Guild, First District of Iloilo Future Seafarers’ Association, Navigator’s Society of Antique, Samahan ng Segundo Distritong Manlalayag, Prospective Association of Growing Seafarers in Iloilo City, JBLFMU-A Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Supreme Student Government, and the Student Executive Council of the College of Maritime Education of JBLFMU-A.

On the other hand, the Samahan ng Bagong Kabataan and a volunteer group, Pinoy Real Gang, contributed to the clean-up process.

“Ang goal naton is to up-cycle, hindi lang nga puluton kag ihaboy ta man dayon sa kalahunan, kundi we convert it into something new nga ma-donate na naman sa mga communities naton,” said the Office of the City Councilor Atty. Sedfrey Cabaluna during the orientation.

The environmental drive concluded at 8 Villa Beach House, where sacks of garbage and plastics were collected, followed by a closing message from Atty. Cabaluna and reflections from the heads of the participating organizations.

According to Atty. Cabaluna, the initiative is especially significant because the full moon creates a wider shoreline, allowing for a larger clean-up area.

This partnership aligns with the following United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs): Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SGD 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Story by Mdpn. Kiann Marteen Baldo

Photos by Mdpn. Lee Harvey Gumban