City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron urged stakeholders, institutions, civil society organizations, and his constituents anew to help save and protect Puerto Princesa Bay and other bays in the city.
Speaking during the opening program of the International Coastal Clean-up and 3rd Mudball Run held at Mendoza Park on Saturday, September 21, 2019, he underscored the importance of Puerto Princesa Bay and other bodies of water in the city in pump priming the local economy especially in tourism industry.
“Ang Puerto Princesa Bay ay marami nating pwedeng gamitan para sa pagsusulong sa turismo. Ito ay Number 1 na industrya natin na nagbibighay ng mgaraming trabaho, na nagpapaikot ng ating economiya. Kaya hindi natin ito pwedeng pabayaan,” he said.
Because of this, he asked the crowd if they are willing to help the city government in an effort to save, conserve and protect Puerto Princesa Bay.
He further said that the decision to commit oneself for the conservation and protection of the bay from any environmental destruction and pollution is important so that there is a cohesive action between the city government, barangay, government agencies and offices, civil society, stakeholders, and the public.
He explained that they are set to launch a program intended to intensify efforts to conserve Puerto Princesa Bay and other bays within the city, and strategic plan for the conservation effort will be presented during its launching.
“Handa ba kayo na magtulungan natin na sagipin ang mga bay natin?” he asked. “Kung ganun, uunahin natin ang Puerto Princesa Bay, mag hahanap tayo ng petsa tapos ilulunsad natin ang programang yan at ilalahad natin ang programa para dyan,” he said.
Untreated wastewater mostly from the commercial establishments, public market stalls are drained towards the bodies of water such as Puerto Princesa Bay. With the increasing population of the city, the water quality of the bay might be compromised as a result of population growth and increasing urbanization.
Mayor Bayron further said that aside from Puerto Princesa Bay other bays such as Honda Bay and Ulugan Bay are included in the protection and conservation plan to save from any environmental destruction.
“Ngayon pa lang ay hindi kaya ng City Government na sya lang ang gagalaw. Bawat isa sa atin ay tutulong dahil kung pagtutulungan natin ay may pag asa na tayo ay magtatagumpay. Ang tagumpay natin ay magiging maiaalay natin para sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang mahalaga ang desisyon natin na kasama tayo katulong tayo sa pagsalbar ng Puerto Princesa Bay, Honda Bay, Ulugan Bay at lahat ng karagatan ng lungsod ng Puerto Princesa,” he said.