Navy Region Singapore helps keep Singapore beaches tidy

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Veloicaza | SINGAPORE (Nov. 21, 2015) - U.S. Navy service members, DoD civilians and families conducted beach cleanup efforts during Navy Region Center Singapore's joint coastal cleanup with local Singaporean environmental group, Waterways Watch Society, Nov. 21, 2015. The cleanup gathered more than 2,000 pounds of garbage, plastic bottles and other rubbish strewn along the shores of Singapore's Marina Bay East Coast Park. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Marc Ayalin)  

SINGAPORE

11.23.2015

Story by Christopher Veloicaza 

Singapore Area Coordinator

SINGAPORE – Navy Region Center Singapore (NRCS) took to the shores of Singapore’s Marina Bay East Coast Park for a joint coastal cleanup endeavor with a local Singaporean environmental group and other businesses Nov. 21, 2015.

The cleanup effort gathered nearly 2,000 pounds of garbage, plastic bottles and other rubbish strewn along the seashore of Singapore’s eastern coast. Participants included more than 100 U.S. Navy service members, DoD civilians and families along with members of Singapore’s Waterways Watch Society and HGST Singapore, PTE LTD. For NRCS environmental personnel, participating in cleanup efforts such as these are a sign of their commitment to excellence.

“NRCS has partnered with the Waterways Watch Society and various other organizations throughout Singapore for the last four years on multiple cleanup efforts because we stand committed to the sustainability of the environment,” said William Davis, environmental program director for NRCS.

According to Davis, this is an annual event that seeks volunteers every year. This year NRCS gathered enough volunteers to fill an entire bus and fulfill the U.S. Navy’s commitment to environmental sustainability. For several hours from 8-11:30 a.m., NRCS and Singaporean volunteers combed the shoreline of the park gathering a multitude of plastic bottles, plastic bags, and other non-organic debris that were washed ashore over that last several months since the area’s last cleanup. They also dug through rock crevices and unearthed other rubbish as they sifted beneath the sand.

For some NRCS personnel, this volunteer event is nothing new. According to LSC Jonathan C. Magsanoc, operations leading chief petty officer, for Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka Site Singapore, this is an opportunity to spend quality time with the family.

“Back in San Diego, I have always participated on beach cleanups and I always take my family especially my two boys,” Magsanoc said. “Not only it is good family bonding and training for my boys, but it's our own little way of contributing to the cleanliness of the beaches and the environment as a whole.”

With the hefty amount of garbage and other trash that was gathered throughout the morning, Waterways Watch Society chairman and founder, Eugene C.H. Heng was pleased and thankful for everyone’s support.

“I think everyone did a great job,” Heng said “With the different groups that showed up, it was obvious they all came with one goal in mind and that was to do the cleanup as best as possible. Today this beach, while not open to the public, is significantly cleaner.”

With results and praise such as this, Davis said NRCS will continue to participate with Waterways Watch Society in future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Magsanoc and other Sailors like him look forward to more events such as this.

“Whenever I get the chance, expect that I will be the first to volunteer and so will my family,” Magsanoc said.

• Date Taken: 11.23.2015
• Date Posted: 11.30.2015 20:55
• Story ID: 183141
• Location: SG