Aboitiz group leads coastal protection bid

The Aboitiz Foundation, Aboitiz Land, and the Communities Organized for Resource Allocation, or CORA, Foundation signed a memorandum of agreement on 13 September to further reinforce their commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The signatories include Aboitiz Foundation president and COO Maribeth Marasigan, Aboitiz Land senior AVP of Legal and Corporate Affairs Atty. Misch Sta. Ana, and Cora Foundation founder and executive director Antoinette Taus.

The partnership's core objective is to unify the strengths and resources of Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Foundation and Cora Foundation in implementing the "Coastal Clean Up 2.0" in Calubcub II, San Juan, Batangas, the host community of Aboitiz Land's Seafront Residences.

Ramping up ecology protection

The Coastal Clean Up 2.0 includes the implementation of capacity development initiatives, as well as the information, education, and communication activities, focused on environmental protection.

These efforts target not only the local host communities but also the other stakeholders, too.

"With the enduring support of Aboitiz Foundation and CORA Foundation, we are excited to embark on the Coastal Clean Up 2.0 initiative at Seafront Residences. Our strides are bolstered by the expertise of CORA, an organization celebrated for efforts in coastal conservation," Sta. Ana said.

CORA Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to forging sustainable initiatives aimed at addressing pressing global issues including hunger, poverty, inequality and climate change.

With a core emphasis on volunteerism, community involvement, and inclusiveness, CORA's initiatives prioritize the empowerment of marginalized groups, educational institutions, women, and the younger generation.

"Nothing can be done without partnerships and collaborations. So to us at CORA, we really feel that this journey is meant to be, and we hope that through this coastal cleanup, it will create the spark or the ripple effect towards so much more," Taus, a movie artist, said.

Meanwhile, Aboitiz Foundation president and COO Maribeth Marasigan emphasized the importance of caring for the environment and how our present actions have a direct impact on our future.

The Aboitiz Foundation has been in partnership with the CORA Foundation since 2018, jointly driving the Clean Seas Pilipinas initiative, which focuses on sustainable waste management solutions.