MAKATI CITY — Makati City Government employees joined forces with partner organizations for a community-wide cleanup activity last Thursday as part of the observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day, reinforcing the city’s efforts to protect its waterways and promote environmental responsibility. The activity was spearheaded by the Department of Environmental Services (DES), led by Officer-in-Charge Reginald Millarez, in partnership with Task Force Makati Waterways and the HRDO-PRAISE Committee headed by Atty. Neil-San G. Patag. The Makati DILG, Makati City Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (MACEMCO), and Manila Water also supported the initiative, bringing together government personnel, partner agencies, and private-sector stakeholders in a collective effort to keep waterways and surrounding communities clean.
Joining a Global Movement for Cleaner Waterways
Observed every third Saturday of September, International Coastal Cleanup Day is recognized as one of the world’s largest volunteer initiatives dedicated to ocean health. In the Philippines, Presidential Proclamation No. 470, series of 2003, officially designates the occasion as International Coastal Clean-Up Day. The annual activity encourages volunteers across the country to remove waste from coastlines, rivers, lakes, and other waterways. The global campaign, organized by Ocean Conservancy, brings together millions of volunteers from more than 150 countries. Participants collect and document the waste they encounter, creating data that can help identify pollution sources, support policy development, and encourage changes in behavior. For Makati, joining the worldwide effort highlights the importance of addressing waste and pollution at the community level before these materials can reach larger waterways and eventually the sea.
Strengthening Makati’s Environmental Efforts
The cleanup activity forms part of Makati’s wider environmental initiatives, particularly its efforts to rehabilitate and protect local waterways. The city’s Waterways Management Program, institutionalized in 2011, focuses on waterway rehabilitation, regular monitoring, and environmental protection. Makati has also been recognized as the most compliant local government unit in Metro Manila under the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program, recording an overall score of 97.64 percent. The participation of city employees and various partner organizations further strengthens a culture of volunteerism and shared responsibility for environmental protection.
Building a Cleaner and More Sustainable City
Beyond removing waste, the initiative demonstrates how cooperation among government offices, community groups, and private organizations can contribute to long-term environmental protection. The activity also supports Makati’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 14 on Life Below Water. Through continued community participation and coordinated environmental programs, Makati is working toward cleaner waterways and healthier surroundings while encouraging residents and organizations to take an active role in protecting the environment for future generations.
