Tanggol Kalikasan sounds alarm on summer's toll but dreams of a sustainable tide across Quezon's bays

By Jay S. Lim Dreaming of cleaner waves for Tayabas Bay, Ragay Gulf, and Lamon Bay, Tanggol Kalikasan calls for sustainable practices as sum...

By Jay S. Lim

Dreaming of cleaner waves for Tayabas Bay, Ragay Gulf, and Lamon Bay, Tanggol Kalikasan calls for sustainable practices as summer crowds flock to Quezon's shores. (JSL Photography)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - As the scorching summer sun draws throngs to the idyllic coastlines of Tayabas Bay, Ragay Gulf, the Polillo Island Group, and Lamon Bay, environmental advocates at Tanggol Kalikasan, a public interest environmental law office, are witnessing a familiar and concerning trend. Their annual observations paint a stark picture of the negative environmental impact that unchecked summer activities inflict upon the delicate coastal resources of Quezon province.

Despite the allure of pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, the summer influx often leaves a trail of destruction. Single-use plastics, from discarded food wrappers to countless beverage bottles, mar the once-untouched sands and ultimately pollute the waters of Tayabas Bay and beyond. Tanggol Kalikasan reports a significant surge in plastic waste washing ashore after peak weekends, threatening marine animals through ingestion and entanglement, and degrading the overall aesthetic appeal of these natural treasures.



The call to "Keep It Clean" often goes unheeded, with popular beaches becoming temporary landfills. Leftover food, cigarette butts, and other debris not only create an eyesore but also introduce harmful substances into the coastal ecosystem, impacting water quality and potentially harming sensitive habitats. The desire to experience the underwater wonders sometimes comes at a cost.

Conventional sunscreens, laden with chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, are leaching into the waters, contributing to the bleaching of precious coral reefs – vital nurseries for a myriad of marine species in areas like the Polillo Island Group. Irresponsible boating and water sports can also damage fragile coral formations and seagrass beds, further disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems. The directive to "Protect the Ocean" remains a significant challenge during the peak tourist season.

Tanggol Kalikasan also highlights the issue of "Minimizing Your Impact." Unregulated development and unsustainable tourism practices can lead to habitat destruction, increased pollution from wastewater, and the disruption of natural coastal processes. The sheer volume of visitors in certain areas puts immense pressure on local resources and infrastructure, often exceeding the carrying capacity of these sensitive environments.

Finally, the plea to "Respect Nature" is frequently overlooked. Souvenir hunting often leads to the removal of shells and corals, disrupting the natural food chain and damaging reef structures. Uninformed interactions with marine life can cause stress and harm to these creatures, undermining conservation efforts in areas rich in biodiversity like Lamon Bay.

Despite the sobering realities observed, Tanggol Kalikasan maintains a hopeful vision for the future, one where significant positive changes ripple across Tayabas Bay, Ragay Gulf, and Lamon Bay. Their passionate advocacy centers on the widespread adoption of sustainable practices, guided by the simple yet powerful recommendations of "A Sustainable Day at the Beach" for all who visit these coastal areas.

This vision entails a collective commitment from beachgoers to embrace reusables over single-use plastics, ensuring cleaner shores by taking only memories and leaving only footprints. Ultimately, it emphasizes a deep respect for nature, encouraging visitors to observe marine life without disturbance, holding the promise of generating powerful waves of positive transformation for these vital marine ecosystems.

Tanggol Kalikasan emphasizes that the responsibility lies not just with tourists but also with local communities, businesses, and government agencies to implement and enforce sustainable tourism practices, invest in proper waste management infrastructure, and conduct regular environmental monitoring and education campaigns.

The dream is a future where the beauty of Quezon's coastal resources can be enjoyed by all, without compromising the health and vitality of these invaluable ecosystems. The waves of change must start now, with each individual making conscious choices to protect the natural heritage of Tayabas Bay, Ragay Gulf, the Polillo Island Group, and Lamon Bay for generations to come.