Cleaning up the shoreline and the ocean is everybody’s business.

This is the message imparted by the Shore It Up Campaign by the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Foundation and Scuba World, Inc. in cooperation with the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.

Last September 26, the Shore It Up campaign pushed through at the Outrigger Resort in Anilao, Batangas while typhoon Ondoy was unleashing its wrath. The devastation left by Ondoy only stressed the need for mitigating measures in addressing the global problem of Climate Change.

“A coastal clean-up campaign may appear to be a very ordinary undertaking but if you equate the overall impact of this kind of activity done worldwide, you also contribute to the overall interventions that are necessary in helping our environment heal from many years of abuse and neglect,” said Melody Del Rosario, MPIC assistant vice president for Media Corporate Communications.

The Philippine seas have been identified in one scientific report by experts as the epicenter of marine biodiversity in the world.

“It’s time to stop throwing garbage and toxins to the oceans and it’s time to actively show and express the care and love for the ocean, and Mother Nature for that matter,” added Raymond Dy, a driving instructor who took part in the Anilao Shore It Up Drive.

The said activity will be repeated next year and will involve more sectors like the academe and even families, according to Del Rosario.

“We Filipinos love the beach; this is our way of spreading the message that, it’s time every one of us do our part. We have seen the devastation of the recent typhoons, especially after tons of garbage are left when the flood subsided.

“We hope everyone realizes what this means. We should do something; it’s time to clean up,” she stressed.