THE CAS Department of Biology led a clean-up drive in the underwater reef and seagrass portions off the shore of Brgy. Bubon, Burgos, Ilocos Norte as part of its annual “Scubasura” project.

Environment-conscious residents of Burgos, especially those who understood the value of a clean and beautiful reef ecosystem, and those who wanted to help sustain a wholesome reef condition, participated in the activity.

Alumni volunteers also joined the clean-up to show their commitment to a healthy marine ecosystem. Two of them, Julius Cortes and wife Marylenn, even came from Canada. Cortes, BS Biology ‘02, works as laboratory technologist and health and safety officer at Charter Coating Ltd., in Northeast Calgary, while wife Marylenn (formerly Gaoat), also a biology graduate (Class ‘04), is a community support practitioner at Resourceful Futures Community Support Ltd. in the same place.

Cortes joined other scuba divers in the underwater garbage removal in reef areas, while his wife took part in the garbage collection along the coastal zone.

Their presence in the noble activity was proof of the values and sense of service inculcated to them by the department which it wants other graduates to emulate.  

Other alumni present in the undertaking were Ericson G. Baptista (‘92), Michael M. Batoon (‘08), Ivy Florence S. Calamaan (‘09), James Paul T. Madigal (‘10), Mary Lea Lyn P. Agaran (‘12), Ian Greg D. Tapac and Jentrix Danille F. Ufano (‘13), and Gerald Pol G. Gaoat (‘14).

Local officials of Burgos, members of the Philippine National Police, staff of the Municipal Agricultural Office, and other volunteer residents in the area also participated in the clean-up spearheaded Prof. Wilnorie P. Rasay.