The Philippines surpassed its International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) records during the activity spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday in 250 coastal sites across the country, meant to raise awareness on the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and the ecosystems.
From 35,000 volunteers last year, DENR recorded 74,075 volunteers from 1,913 government, academe, and private sector organizations yesterday. The event was held from the northernmost Pasuquin municipality in the Ilocos Region to the southernmost Gian town in Socksargen Region.
Volunteers of all ages gathered at beaches, riverbanks, and coastlines and collected a total of 352,479 kilograms of trash and debris, ranging from plastics to other waste materials..
“This year marks a significant milestone as the Philippines affirms its commitment to coastal cleanliness and environmental conservation,” DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said.
“With the ICC 2024 theme, ‘Clean Seas for Blue Economy’, this year’s cleanup not only aimed to address immediate pollution, but also sought to inspire long-term behavioral changes among communities, encouraging everyone to reduce waste and participate in ongoing clean-up initiatives,” she added,
The data gathered during the cleanup will be compiled to better understand the types of waste affecting the country’s waters, ultimately guiding future conservation, waste recovery, and resource utilization strategies, while the collected trash that can be recycled will be brought to the nearest local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
Previously, President Marcos blamed 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 (NDRRMC) report that Typhoon Carina last month had brought about 13 landslides, causing the evacuation of more than 600,000 people, and the deaths of 14 in the country.
“Today, we witnessed an incredible outpouring of support and dedication from Filipinos who care deeply about our environment,” said Loyzaga. “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.”
The 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. The Philippines started participating in the ICC around 1994 and, in 2003, the Philippine government institutionalized the event by issuing Presidential Proclamation 470 setting ICC in the Philippines every 3rd Saturday of September.
“We are grateful for the collaboration of local governments, academic institutions, non-government organizations, and most importantly, the passionate volunteers who made this event a resounding success,” Loyzaga added.
Inviting the public to continue their efforts in keeping the Philippines clean and green even beyond the cleanup day, Loyzaga stated; “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.”
