SAN VICENTE, Palawan — Coca-Cola in the Philippines and its foundation is turning over top-of-the-line beach-cleaning equipment to this municipality as part of an environmental agreement.
Coca-Cola System in the Philippines, as represented by Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), the licensed bottler of Coca-Cola products in the country, and the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, is turning them over to the municipal government of San Vicente led by Mayor Amy Roa Alvarez.
In a statement, Coca-Cola said the initiative is toward ensuring responsible environmental conservation of the town’s top tourist attraction. San Vicente in northern Palawan is home to an approximately 15-kilometer-long beach stretch of fine white sands that rivals the best beaches in the world.
“San Vicente has been rightly drawing tourists from across the Philippines and across the globe for its sights and for the warmth of its people. We at Coca-Cola want to contribute to the health of its tourism sector, by helping institutionalize ecological stewardship and environmental protection to better ensure that San Vicente can sustainably maintain the beauty of its resources and attractions for generations to come,” said Cecile Alcantara, president of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines.
Coca-Cola signed a memorandum of agreement with San Vicente in October, to formalize its partnership toward championing sustainability in the municipality. The ceremony was witnessed by Miss Earth 2019 candidates who share the same environmental protection commitment.
San Vicente is one of the host municipalities of this year’s Miss Earth pageant.
The Barber Surf Rake is the most popular and most advanced tractor-towed beach cleaner in the world, employing the least intrusive method of gathering unwanted debris from the sand, and has very low ground pressure to minimize disruption. This initiative has already been deployed on beaches in Boracay and Baler.
The introduction of the surf rake to San Vicente marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with the municipality. The company will continuously work with the local government of San Vicente to further establish a holistic and sustainable environmental preservation plan that will also enjoin both locals and tourists to take action, and do their part in maintaining the pristine beauty of the island.
“The people of San Vicente have always been proud of the beauty of our home, and we have always been eager to showcase its sights to our guests. San Vicente is a sanctuary and we are heeding the call to be better environmental stewards,” said Mayor Alvarez.
“We wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts of Coca-Cola, as we share the same vision for San Vicente—to protect it and preserve its pristine beauty, and at the same time retain its world-class status as a top destination for travelers,” she added.
This initiative is aligned with the Coca-Cola System’s global vision of a World Without Waste, anchored on sustainability and environmental protection, according to Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, director for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs of CCBPI.
“We are very grateful for this opportunity to partner with San Vicente. The leadership of Mayor Amy is a testament to her passion to promote San Vicente, Palawan as one of the best coastal towns in the world, alongside collective conservation efforts to preserve its natural beauty. And we at Coca-Cola are truly honored that we have this chance to support the people of San Vicente in this worthy endeavor,” Tañada said.
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