VIDAR, MADANG. A Coastal Clean-up activity was spearheaded by the RD Fishing (PNG) Ltd. on May 30, 2009 in celebration of May as the International Month of the Ocean. The theme for this activity was "Protect Our Sea, Our Future is Now".

Mr.Gregorio A. Authentico, RD Fishing (PNG) Ltd. Managing Director, in his opening speech said that "We need to make every single day as a day of the ocean" stressing that our uncompromising responsibility in taking care of the ocean will bring us not only a sound and clean environment but in return will continue to reward our generation and the future generations with an abundant source of living.

RD Fishing (PNG) Ltd. is a member of the RD Group of Companies operating in Papua New Guinea since 1997. It is one of the biggest players in the country's fishing industry and provides local employment. It supplies its sister Company, the RD Tuna Canners (RDTC), with fresh tuna which the latter processes both for local and international markets. RD Tuna Canners as the biggest and pioneering company in tuna processing industry helps in boosting local employment by employing around 3,000 PNG nationals.

Village leaders and local villagers were also present during the coastal clean-up activity. Mr. Patrick Manat, a village leader from the Kananam Island, expressed his appreciation to the initiative which the company is doing. Mr. John Wasau, Chairman of the Madang Lagoon Association was also present. He, likewise, expressed his appreciation of the company's commendable initiativein taking care of the ocean. Both leaders are taking part in the actual collection of garbage and pledged for continued partnership with RD in regular coastal cleaning activity. Other stakeholders will be invited to be partners in future activities.

Mr. Pedro Celso, the Managing Director of RD Tuna Canners, expressed support of the initiative of RD Fishing (PNG) together with RDTC employees. He encouraged the organizers to initiate the activity on a regular basis and hopes that such will spark interest not only in Madang but througout the country as well.

The activity's 300 participants were able to collect tremendous amount of garbage consisting of bottles, plastics, steel sheets, empty tin cans, and cellophanes.

RD Fishing (PNG) Ltd. is very thankful of the full participation of its employees, especially the expatriates who shouldered most of the task in the preparations of the activity and the vessel crews in leading the actual cleaning activity. It also acknowledges the support of RDTC, RD Construction, RD Foundation, and of the local communities for actively taking part in the cleaning. Keeping the environment clean and protecting it is a global challenge and as such RD is committed to take on the challenge with the support from its employees and the community at large to do everything possible to manage and keep it clean.

The activity closed with everyone reaffirming their commitment to care for the ocean and of the environment as a whole.