Eco Kolek, local advocates set sail for marine conservation in WWF Palawan Earth Day celebration

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — In a unique effort to promote environmental awareness and sustainability, various stakeholders convened aboard the yacht M/Y Navorca, docked along the city's Baywalk, for the WWF Palawan Earth Day celebration on April 18, 2026.

The event brought together representatives from Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairpersons, YES-O, and personnel from Project Zacchaeus (PZC) and Eco Kolek. By hosting the gathering on a yacht, organizers aimed to immerse participants in the marine environment and underscore the critical importance of preserving local ocean ecosystems.

The program commenced with participants being transported to the vessel via speedboat, setting a dynamic tone for the day's collaborative activities. The main session featured two resource speakers who shared their personal journeys and emphasized the value of resilience and continuous learning in environmental advocacy work.

During his motivational speech, resource speaker Gab reminded the attendees of the scale of their potential impact, stating: “Love your craft, but don’t let it define the limits of who can become. The world is vast, and so are your responsibilities. Even the smallest thing you can do carries the power to create a riffle––one that can grow into something far greater than you ever imagined”.

To foster stronger ties among youth leaders and environmental advocates, the event utilized an interactive, workshop-style format. Participants were divided into groups to present their respective environmental initiatives, highlighting the community impact of their advocacies and exchanging best practices. Attendees also engaged in a reflective exercise where they shared ideas on what habits or actions to "stop, continue, and start" in their lives to inspire positive personal and professional change.

Adding a creative element to the celebration, participants, including the Eco Kolek staff, crafted handmade design letter posters for the WWF to creatively showcase their commitment to planetary protection. An open forum followed the educational sessions, allowing stakeholders to exchange perspectives and clarify insights, though organizers noted that time constraints slightly limited extended discussions among the large group.

Overall, the WWF Earth Day initiative successfully provided a platform for local leaders and advocates to strengthen their collaborative networks and renew their long-term commitment to protecting Palawan's natural resources.