PNA

NAKATANGGAP ng karagdagang suporta ang kampanya ng Palawan hinggil sa paggamit ng plastic straw sa Palawan, sa ilalim ng proyektong “Skip-the-Straw” (StS), makaraang walong restaurant ang sumang-ayon na ipagbawal ang pag-aalok ng plastic straw sa kanilang mga kustomer.

Ang paglagda sa kasunduan ay pinamunuan ng Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) at ng JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock, Inc. (JCIPPPI or Peacock Jaycees) sa SM City Puerto Princesa.

“Our goal in the chapter is to protect our marine life, especially the sea turtles that think of them as food. We wish to encourage restaurant establishments, eateries, and even hotels, to help clean the oceans by no longer offering single-use plastic straws to their clients,” lahad ni Peacock Jaycees President Zahren Vila Magrata.

Ang MOA ay nilagdaan ng PCSD katuwang ang Hibiscus Garden Inn, Campsite by Kusina ni Tito Ernie’s, Tatang’s Boneless Lechon, Coco Garden Café, Crenzo’s Canteen and Catering Services, Sabie Bakes Café, Divine Sweets Cafe and Bakery, at Ancient Dynasty Kitchen.

Inihayag naman ni Jessaids Daquer, dating pangulo ng organisasyon, na nagawa ng walong lumagdang establisimyento na makahikayat pa ng iba pang mga kainan, kaya 26 na ang kabuuang bilang ng mga establisimyentong pumayag sa kasunduan.

“We have brought the campaign outside of Palawan to Mindanao under the Life Below Water and the Clean Water for Community projects of the JCI region and national offices, where local chapters are now encouraging restaurant owners not to use plastic straws and instead bring their own mugs or tumblers,” aniya.

Sinabi ni Daquer na ang StS ay sinimulan sa Palawan sa pagtutulungan kasama ang PCSD sa ilalim ng kanyang termino bilang pangulo ng Peacock Jaycees.

Inihayag naman ni Atty. Adelina Villena, ng PCSD, na ang nasabing kolaborasyon, katuwang ang Peacock Jaycees ay “very important” sa layuning mabawasan ang plastic pollution sa karagatan.

“Of course, this is really very important to us. We are thankful for the social responsibility of our partners, which addresses the future of our sea turtles. We have been fighting against the destruction of our environment in Palawan, and these plastic straws do not only affect our sea turtles but other marine wildlife as well,” sabi ni Villena.