ILOILO City – This year’s 50th Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta Festival is more than just a celebration of culture and tradition. It also promotes environmental awareness through a partnership with an environmental advocate group.
Greenpeace-Iloilo – a newly-organized and the first local group of Greenpeace Philippines outside the National Capital Region – brings their environmental advocacies here with the goal of promoting a plastic-free, more eco-friendly and greener Paraw Regatta Festival.
Fulbert Woo, co-chair of the Paraw Regatta Festival 2023, said the festival’s partnership with Greenpeace is a big help to promote environmental awareness and that indeed it is high time to take care of the environment.
One of the group’s initiatives is the setting up of a water refilling station at the beach area of Breakthrough, Villa Baybay, Sto. Niño Norte, Arevalo district from March 17 to 19.
According to Mikaela Santos, Junior Cities Project Officer of Greenpeace Philippines, the water is for free and they encourage everyone to bring their own tumbler or water container.
Greenpeace-Iloilo also reminds everyone to be responsible for their trash; bring own reusable food containers and utensils to avoid generating trash at the venue.
Bringing of reusable/eco-bags is also encouraged in case they find interesting items at the venue.
“Take time to appreciate the local culture and environment. Iloilo has a lot of green and open spaces which can make you visit more meaningful and reconnect with nature,” the group suggested.
Moreover, the group cited the Ilonggos’ strong volunteerism why they chose Iloilo City as a pilot area for their local counterpart. They also cited the city government’s various initiatives to make the city livable and lovable.
“We chose Iloilo kasi nakita namin na mas mataas ang volunteerism ng mga local groups dito. Mas open ang mga tao dito at the same time. When it comes to the government side, ang city government mas madami ang mga projects to make the city livable,” said Santos.
The highlight of this year’s Paraw Regatta Festival is slated this weekend, March 18 to 19. Around 46 paraw racers are expected to join the main sailing event – the highlight of the festival – this Sunday./PN
