BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, Philippines (PNA)—The first-year anniversary of the Boracay Beach Management Program was marked last Friday with a seven-kilometer human chain staged on White Beach that stretched from Station 1 to Station 3 here.

Malay local government Sangguniang Bayan member Jonathan Cabrera said the event saw some 3,000 islanders, tourists, municipal and national officials, employees of several private companies, Boracay Foundation Inc. officers and members jointly pooling efforts to ensure cleanliness is maintained in the country’ premier holiday destination.

The activity, Cabrera said, was also aimed at preserving and protecting the island environment for future generations.

Other than the human chain, other activities included a clean-up drive and participants helping to enforce local ordinances imposed against smoking and littering on the beach in Boracay.

The Boracay Beach Management Program was launched 2010 by Malay Mayor John Yap through Executive Order No. 032 with the help of the private sector for the protection, sustainability and enhancement of coastal and marine resources in the island resort. (PNA)