THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Visayas and UP Validus Amicitia Brotherhood took part in the beach clean-up in Iloilo City.

UPV and UP Validus Amiticia led the clean-up on April 22, the start of the “Earth Day Shindig”, a series of events organized by 8 Villa Beach and the Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office.

They joined various stakeholders from the academe, the Philippine National Police and the private sector in cleaning up the beach as part of the campaign to raise awareness and take part in addressing the climate crisis.

Chancellor Clement Camposano, Philippine Genome Center-Visayas director Noel Ferriols, and Information and Publications Office director Gerthrode Charlotte Tan-Mabilog represented UPV.

Also present were environmentalist Riza Ornos from Earthing PH and Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia.

8 Villa Beach owner Ian Varona said the participants should “make it count” by turning the Earth Day Shindig into an annual event or to organize similar events.

“This is not just an Earth Day, it’s an Earth Movement. This is for us,” Varona said. “In our own way, we want to help give you a voice and support you to make sure we leave you a better place.”