TACLOBAN CITY, PHILIPPINES — Over 5,300 volunteers across Eastern Visayas mobilized on Saturday, September 19, 2026, collecting 11,918 kilograms of marine debris across 20 designated coastal sites in observance of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day.
Regional Waste Recovery and Site Mobilization
The simultaneous coastal cleanup campaign brought together regional government units, civil society organizations, and youth groups to combat marine pollution under the theme "Clean Seas for Resilient Communities":
Volunteer Turnout: A total of 5,370 volunteers participated across the six provinces of Region VIII, including Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Biliran.
Debris Collection: Field teams recovered a combined total of 11,918 kilograms of trash and plastic waste from beaches, coastlines, and riverways across 20 designated cleanup sites.
Inter-Agency Collaboration: The regional mobilization was conducted through joint operations involving national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), private sector sponsors, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and youth groups.
Environmental Governance and Long-Term Objectives
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VIII Regional Executive Director Arturo Salazar led the regional drive, echoing national priorities set by DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna:
Resource Recovery Mandate: Regional Director Salazar urged local communities to shift toward long-term solid waste management solutions, emphasizing waste reduction, resource recovery, and ecosystem resilience.
Global Observance: Held annually on the third Saturday of September, International Coastal Cleanup Day serves as a global initiative to safeguard marine habitats by engaging public volunteers in direct ecosystem restoration.
