ONEOCEAN

BIG EVENTS FOR A BIG YEAR!
Visit this page regularly for the latest news on the Philippine celebration of the International Year of the Ocean in 1998.

Worried sick about our seas?
Speak up and be counted!

Blue Heart means you care:
A movement for sustainable seas is born

A Blue Tapestry in the Making:
A community arts project celebrating the ocean and the Philippines’ rich maritime heritage

The Search is on for the best
Coastal Resource Management Programs

We’re wearing blue hearts on Valentine’s.
Here’s why:

We’re concerned. Concerned about how fast we are depleting our ocean. Concerned about the millions of people who depend on the sea for their very survival. Concerned about life on this planet.

This is why on February 15 we will launch the "I love the ocean" movement, an organized action toward bringing back the sustainability of our seas -- and our future. The movement’s symbol, the blue heart, is our way of sounding off our concern, and of calling on others to help save our troubled seas, before we all end up in deep, deep water.

In short, the blue heart is a call to action, a call we hope you will heed. Touch base with our movement. Join our Discussion Board. Get involved in community projects for the environment. Take responsibility for ocean issues and problems. Wear a blue heart to show you care.

The IYO Creed I believe that the ocean harbors life, life that I must respect I believe that the ocean is mankind’s greatest common heritage I believe that the diversity of the ocean is important to sustaining human life I believe that I am part of but one ocean, and that everything I do affects the delicate balance of life on Earth I believe that it is my duty to protect the ocean I believe that, by protecting the ocean, I help protect the future. Therefore, I pledge to always live in harmony with the ocean.

Coast to Coast -- On Fabric
The Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) is calling on all local government units in the Philippines to support the 1998 International Year of the Ocean by contributing to the making of Ang Tapiseryang Bughaw (Blue Tapestry). Ang Tapiseryang Bughaw is a social mobilization project using group sewing techniques such as patchwork, embroidery, applique and cross-stitch to bring together people and encourage them to collectively express their appreciation of a common resource -- the ocean -- as well as their concern for their common future. The "patches of blue" contributed by the different municipalities will be tied together to form one long blue tapestry which will serve as a symbol of the many facets of the Philippines’ 18,000-km coastline and the communities it nurtures, and a fitting symbol of the unity and cooperative spirit necessary to protect this diversity.

LGUs and other groups or individuals who are interested in joining this project may contact Dr. Catherine A. Courtney, Chief of Party, CRMP, J. Luna cor. Humabon Sts, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Tel. (63 32) 232 1821 to 22; fax (63 32) 232 1825; E-mail o...s@o...n.org

Search on for Best Coastal Resource Management Programs
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) launched last year the Search for Best Coastal Resource Management Programs in Philippine Municipalities. The Search focuses on programs undertaken or supported by municipal governments to promote sustainable development and management of coastal resources. It is open to all municipal local government units with coastal resource management programs that have been ongoing for not less than three years.

LMP is conducting the Search in cooperation with CRMP, a USAID-funded project implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units, non-governmental organizations, and people’s organizations.

The Search will culminate in an awarding ceremony to be held in Julyl 1998. Cash grants and plaques will be given to the Six Best Coastal Resource Management Programs.

The National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS) is the Philippine focal point for all activities that concern the oceans. Recognizing in the IYO the opportunity to promote the oceans, particularly the seas surrounding the Philippine archipelago, the Committee's 13 member-agencies developed a framework for an integrated Philippine contribution to the event. Dubbed "Dagat... Buhay" (Sea... Life), this collective effort seeks to:

• promote public awareness and understanding of the value of marine activities, and of the sea and its resources, to national welfare.
• ensure that the government does all it could to promote the exploration, sustainable use and conservation of the sea.

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