A click of the mouse is all it takes - never has there been an easier way to save the Philippine marine environment, its creatures, and the food source that comes with it.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF - Philippines) launched the “I Click, I Save” campaign last September 28. The campaign enables people with internet access – from anywhere in the world – to contribute in protecting our country’s marine biodiversity.
WWF – Philippines has marine conservation programs all over the country – from Tawi-Tawi in the south to Hamilo Coast and Donsol further up north. The project sites focus on environmental sustainability as a means to providing for local communities. To cite, WWF’s community-based ecotourism transformed Donsol’s economy, becoming a 1st class municipality by the end of 2009 from a 5th class municipality in 1998. TIME magazine named Donsol as one of Asia’s “Best Animal Encounters”. With this, job opportunities opened up, providing a sustainable source of income to locals like blast fishermen turned Butanding Interaction Officer (BIO) Guilbert “Embet” Guadamor.
“Destructive fishing methods like blasting used to be practiced in Donsol, and poachers from the Visayas and nearby countries came here to hunt whale sharks, unaware of the implications of these actions,” says Embet in his dialect. “WWF’s programs helped turn my life around. I used to believe that I could just take and take – without giving back. Through WWF’s guidance, I realized thinking and acting that way greatly destroyed the sea, which I have been relying on for a living. You need to take care of that which keeps you alive. Now, as a BIO, I am not only able to provide for my family, I’m also able to bring joy to tourists and help protect marine life for future generations to enjoy.”
Moreover, resource management programs have allowed sanctuaries to flourish and experience full-cycle mariculture. Palawan, known to supply at least 50 percent of the country’s seafood, counts its Tubbataha Reefs as among the world’s richest bio-geographic areas.
WWF supporter Marc Nelson says he has always been a fan of WWF’s work and that his eco-adventures around the country naturally compel him to support environmental protection. “I have been visiting Donsol for the whale sharks every year for the past 12 years. I’ve personally witnessed how engaging partner-communities for sustainable advocacy can become an enduring success story.”
WWF-Philippines envisions a Philippines where globally significant biodiversity is protected and responsibly harnessed to sustain life for all and where species, habitats and resources form part of a unique heritage that make every Filipino proud. This mission can only be fulfilled with the help of the entire nation, prompting the development of the organization’s awareness campaign called I Click, I Save.
“With the I Click, I Save campaign the computer mouse becomes a powerful conservation tool for Filipinos to do something to help save the Philippine marine environment. All they need to do is visit WWF’s website to donate as little as P17 per day,” says WWF President and CEO, Lory Tan. “More than simply raising awareness of the issues that plague our marine environment, this campaign gives the Philippine public a chance to be part of the solution. While Filipinos are proud of our coastal attractions that rival the world’s best, most fail to recognize that these areas are rapidly deteriorating. This affects the marine food chain - spreading a rapidly expanding blanket of threats over habitats, species and the 40 Million Filipinos who depend on seafood as their primary source of protein.”
Preserving marine life saves people’s lives. For a small monthly contribution, you can help WWF educate individuals and corporations on how they can participate in eradicating environmental threats. Visit wwf.org.ph/donate to learn more about I Click, I Save. All donations shall benefit WWF conservation efforts within the country.
