CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon, together with communities, partner agencies, and volunteers, joined this year’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) to promote cleaner and healthier coastal and marine ecosystems.
The activity underscored the importance of collective action in reducing marine litter, protecting coastal resources, and building more resilient communities across the region.
Held under the theme “Clean Seas for Resilient Communities,” the annual activity brought together over 1,700 volunteers from national government agencies, local government units, the academe, uniformed services, non-government organizations, private groups, and local communities for cleanup activities in various coastal areas across Central Luzon.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the ICC goes beyond the collection of trash, as volunteers also document the types of waste found along shorelines.
“Initial findings showed that plastic bags, food wrappers, diapers, clothes, and foam pieces were among the most common types of waste collected during the cleanup, reaching more than 75,000 kilograms of waste collected across the participating areas,” Pablo reported.
He noted that keeping waterways and coastal areas free from waste is important in protecting ecosystems and supporting communities that depend on healthy coastal and marine resources for their livelihoods and daily needs.
“Preventing waste from reaching rivers, estuaries, and seas requires sustained action, including responsible waste disposal, waste reduction, and the participation of communities and other stakeholders,” he said.
The Philippines has been among the active participants in the ICC, a global initiative that raises awareness about marine litter and encourages communities to take action in protecting oceans and waterways. The activity was initiated by the US-based environmental organization Ocean Conservancy in 1986. (UnliNews Online)
Source: DENR Central Luzon
