RC Makati Expands Save Our Reefs Project to La Union

When a project is truly impactful, it deserves continued support and replication in more communities. Such is the case for the Save Our Reefs project of RC Makati, which was first initiated by PP Peter Manzano in 2021 in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur with an initial deployment of 200 reef buds. Over the years, the project continued to grow, with more than 400 reef buds now installed in the area. A second site was later established in Padre Burgos, Quezon through the initiative of Ferdie Ordoveza, where another 100 reef buds were deployed.

This year, the project reached San Juan, La Union — widely known as the surfing capital of the Philippines — with the goal of helping regenerate marine biodiversity and contribute to the long-term protection of its coastal ecosystem.

On May 13, a delegation from RC Makati led by Pres. Eddie Galvez, together with Toffy Concepcion, PE/Dir. Chris Ferareza, IPP Keith Harrison, George Haxton, Dir. Andy Manalac, Dir. CB Rivilla, and Winston Uy, found themselves along the shores of San Juan — not to surf, but for the official launch of the newest Save Our Reefs site.

The program began with a blessing led by Pastor Arnold Cari, followed by the unveiling of the Save Our Reefs marker in San Juan, La Union. After a group photo opportunity at the shoreline, the participants proceeded to Hinabi Reserve, a new development by Havitas co-founded by Dir. Andy Manalac, which hosted the formal launch program.

During the short program, Pres. Eddie Galvez underscored the importance of collaboration in bringing the environmental project to life in La Union. Winston Uy, who also represented Universal Leaf Philippines Inc., co-funders of the Reef Buds project in San Juan, expressed his appreciation for being part of an initiative that supports the regeneration of marine life in one of La Union’s prime tourist destinations.

For his part, RC San Juan Pres. Lionel Darmon thanked the Club for choosing San Juan as the newest site of the project and for the opportunity to partner in the meaningful environmental initiative.

Meanwhile, San Juan Mayor Mariquita Ortega expressed her appreciation to the Rotary Club of Makati, describing the project as an investment to ensure that future generations will continue to experience the beauty of a living ocean.

The formal program concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between RC Makati, Universal Leaf Philippines Inc., RC San Juan, and the Local Government of San Juan, La Union for the deployment of an initial 100 reef buds in San Juan.

It was not all work for the RC Makati members who arrived a day earlier, as the delegation was warmly hosted by Winston Uy for a fellowship dinner at his beach house in Thunderbird Resorts.

Beyond tourism and surfing, RC Makati hopes San Juan will also become recognized for its commitment to marine conservation and sustainable environmental initiatives.