Phoenix helps save marine life through artificial reefs

(Left photo) Phoenix Petroleum employees and members of the Philippine Coast Guard lay lime sand and cement mixture in 30 iron frames at the company’s headquarters in Lanang, Davao City. (Right photo) A month later, volunteers from the coast guard and barangay dive into the bottom of the sea to lay the artificial reefs. They will serve as new homes for hundreds of species of fish and other marine organisms.

Phoenix Philippines Foundation, in partnership with Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, successfully laid 30 artificial reefs in marine-protected areas of Barangay Vicente Hizon, Lanang and Barangay Centro Jerome, Agdao, both in Davao City, on September 30, 2017.

The reefs were built by Phoenix Petroleum employees, together with volunteers from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary at Phoenix Petroleum’s headquarters in Davao City on August 26, 2017.

Each reef measured 110 cm x 70 cm and was built using corrugated round bars, wire mesh, lime sand, and cement. The structure of the reefs made for a suitable home for pelagic fish, giving them protection and allowing them to breed and grow their number.

As marine-protected areas, the locations of which the reefs were laid are protected by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and barangay ordinances that help guard the reefs and restrict human activity in the areas where they rest. Any person caught performing illegal fishing or contributing to the destruction of the corals will be penalized.

“Taking care of the environment is one of the primary advocacies of the Phoenix Philippines Foundation, and this new project contributes to our efforts of saving our planet,” said Phoenix Petroleum Vice President for External Affairs Atty. Raymond Zorrilla.

Phoenix Petroleum also engaged in coastal cleanup activities around the country last September in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day, and as part of its efforts of preserving the environment for future generations.