The City Tourism Operation Office (CTOO), in partnership with the Nippon Foundation, Ambox Events, Ancillary Services Unit (ASU), and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), on Friday joined the Blue Santa Claus Project: A Pasko Fiesta 2024 Coastal Clean-up Drive in the Jaa Vales Beach Lipadas in Barangay Daliao Toril.
The Blue Santa Claus Project is like a miniature version of the Japanese sport “SpoGomi,” in which teams collect trash and litter within a designated area in a given time.
Mary Joy Nakata, Philippine Coordinator for AMBOX Events, in an interview with the city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio said the initiative is a project of the Nippon Foundation under their Change for the Blue campaign.
“For them, yung (the) red Santa Claus is giving gifts for children, while the blue Santa Claus is giving a cleaner sea for future generations,” she said.
She said the campaign began internationally in 2016. It was introduced in the Philippines in 2023.
Mizzy Porol, the CTOO Events Unit’s tourism coordinator, as part of the city’s commitment to giving back to the environment, the clean-up drive became part of their activity for the Pasko Fiesta 2024.
“Ang Pasko Fiesta 2024, ang atoang theme kay blue, so timely pod siya ang blue Santa Claus i-incorporate nato for Pasko Fiesta 2024 (Our theme for the Pasko Fiesta 2024 is blue, so it is timely that we will incorporate the blue Santa Claus for Pasko Fiesta 2024),” she said.
She said the cleanup drive was joined by volunteers and representatives from offices of the City Government of Davao.
She said they cleaned up the lengthy stretch of Vales Street down to the coastline.
After collecting garbage, the CTOO also placed segregation bins.
Porol said the Blue Santa Claus Project is one way to encourage Dabawenyos to reflect on the Dabawenyo DCplinado ideals by helping reduce plastic wastes, safeguard natural resources, and promote discipline, sustainability, and community spirit throughout the holiday season. CIO
