BUTUAN CITY — Environmental action takes on a festive spirit as the SM Green Movement invites communities to join the International Coastal Cleanup on September 19, 2026, at Barangay Sacol, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. The activity will combine coastal conservation with music, dancing, camaraderie, and bayanihan as volunteers work together to remove waste and protect marine environments. The initiative aims to make environmental participation accessible and engaging while reminding communities that caring for the planet can also be a shared and enjoyable experience. Through collective action, participants will help promote cleaner shorelines and healthier coastal communities.
A Decade of Collective Environmental Action
The SM Green Movement, SM Supermalls’ long-term sustainability platform, promotes environmental responsibility through programs focused on waste management and climate action. SM Cares has been a consistent partner of the International Coastal Cleanup, with the upcoming Barangay Sacol activity forming part of its 2026 coastal cleanup calendar. Since SM Supermalls first participated in the International Coastal Cleanup in 2015, SM-led initiatives have mobilized more than 50,000 employees, government partners, students, community volunteers, and environmental advocates. In 2025 alone, SM volunteers helped divert 200,000 kilograms of coastal waste from the ocean, equivalent to the estimated weight of 142 compact SUVs. “Done collectively and consistently with the help of our partners, every cleanup creates a meaningful impact that will benefit generations to come,” said Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Sustainability.
Turning Cleanup Into a Learning Experience
The activity begins with volunteer registration and an orientation designed to make participants more informed about coastal protection. Interested individuals can pre-register through the SM Malls Online app or the registration link provided by the organizers.
Instead of a conventional briefing, participants will take part in an engaging “trash talk” covering waste segregation, safety procedures, and the importance of protecting marine environments. Volunteers will then proceed to designated cleanup areas, where they will collect waste and record their findings using a Volunteer Form. The information gathered will contribute to a global database, turning the cleanup into both an environmental activity and a source of useful data. Afterward, collected materials will be weighed and sorted into recyclables, disposables, and compostable waste at designated drop-off areas.
Bayanihan Adds Energy to Environmental Action
Music, movement, and community participation will form part of the event, encouraging volunteers to dance, interact, and enjoy the experience while working toward a common environmental goal. The festive atmosphere highlights the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, showing how collective effort can make environmental work more meaningful. “Protecting our oceans begins with communities choosing to act together,” Silerio said, emphasizing the importance of everyday responsibility in reducing waste and changing habits.
Join the Movement for Cleaner Coasts
The public is encouraged to take part in the September 19 cleanup and contribute to efforts supporting marine biodiversity and environmental stewardship. Volunteers can register through SM Malls Online and join fellow community members in an activity that combines conservation, education, and camaraderie. As SM Cares continues its sustainability initiatives throughout 2026, the International Coastal Cleanup offers another opportunity for communities to turn shared responsibility into meaningful environmental action. Each volunteer, collected piece of waste, and improved habit contributes to the broader goal of creating cleaner and healthier coastal communities.
