Coastal cleanup draws 74,075 volunteers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines surpassed its record of total volunteers and trash hauled during the half-day International Coastal Cleanup conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday in 250 coastal sites across the country.

From 35,000 volunteers last year, DENR recorded 74,075 volunteers from 1,913 government, academe and private sector organizations yesterday.

From the northernmost Pasuquin municipality in the Ilocos Region to the southernmost Glan municipality in the Soccsksargen Region, volunteers of all ages gathered at beaches, riverbanks and coastlines and collected a total of 352,479 kilos of trash and debris, ranging from plastics to other waste materials.

The data gathered during the cleanup will be compiled to better understand the types of waste affecting our waters, ultimately guiding future conservation strategies. The collected trash that can be recycled will be brought to the nearest local materials recovery facility.

“This year marks a significant milestone as the Philippines affirms its commitment to coastal cleanliness and environmental conservation,” Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said.

She further said that yesterday’s cleanup seeks “to inspire long-term behavioral changes among communities, encouraging everyone to reduce waste and participate in ongoing clean-up initiatives.”

Previously, President Marcos pegged climate change and common trash disposal practices as the culprits of extensive flooding in Metro Manila, following the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council report that Typhoon Carina last month had brought about 13 landslides, causing the evacuation of more than 600,000 people and 14 deaths in the country.

Loyzaga thanked the local governments, the academe, non-government organizations and the volunteers who made the cleanup “a resounding success.”

“As we celebrate the 30th year of the International Coastal Cleanup in the Philippines, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our coastal resources and promoting sustainable practices that protect our marine ecosystems,” Loyzaga said.

She invited the public to continue their efforts in keeping the Philippines clean and green, even beyond the cleanup day.

“By becoming stewards of our ecosystems and natural resources, we can ensure a healthier environment for current and future generations. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in protecting our precious marine environments,” she said.

International Coastal Clean-up is one of the largest volunteer efforts in the world, with over 150 participating countries and millions of volunteers each year, with the Philippines participating in the effort since 1994.