Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo "Cecil" R. Bayron has promised to continue sustainability initiatives to ensure the city is a role model even after the International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships concludes.
The coastal city launched the "Paddle Together for Climate Action" campaign ahead of the flagship event to raise awareness of the climate crisis facing the planet.
With one day remaining, Bayron stressed that this is not a one-off campaign and vowed to continue organising eco-friendly activities as part of the city's wider sustainability strategy.
He also praised the Dragon Boat World Championships and its impact as the city aims to save its marine ecosystems.
“Climate change will destroy everything man has built. We must act quickly to reduce its effects,” Mr Bayron said.
“The ICF Dragon Boat World Championships have contributed to our economy.
“Puerto Princesa will benefit from it as we invest more funds to save the planet.
“This will inspire the locals to work with us so we can make the city the leading sports eco-tourism destination.”
Last year, they launched the Save Puerto Princesa Bays Project to improve the water quality of all the bays in the city, including Honda Bay and Ulugan Bay to keep them waste-free.
In the lead up and at the Opening Ceremony of the Dragon Boat World Championships, Effective Microorganisms (EM) Mudballs were thrown into the bay, a cost-effective method to maintain high standards of water.
“We introduced these initiatives to save the Puerto Princesa Bays and sport can play a major role,” Mr Byron continued.
“This is like the start of a Netflix show. We have many episodes and we will not stop until we clean up Puerto Princesa from all kinds of pollution.
“It does not stop when the World Championships is over.”
Bayron also suggested that the Dragon Boat World Championships is only the beginning of the international-profile sports events that Puerto Princesa will host.
While national and local events are a regular feature, the ambitious city is hoping to build on its sustainable sports tourism.
“We want to introduce more water sports events here and bring another World Championships soon,” he said.
“This is an ideal location for Stand Up Paddling.
“We want more events here so the world can see what we are doing.”
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