Over 120,000 kilograms of trash were collected by volunteers in Manila Bay, during the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) on Saturday, September 21.
The ICC took place in various areas in the country, including Manila Bay, with thousands of volunteers from different private and public organizations participating. The cleanup in SM by the BAY's seaside area was led by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, in cooperation with DENR-National Capital Region (NCR) OIC Regional Executive Director Michael Drake Matias.
Over 12,220 cleanup volunteers from 50 organizations showed up for the initiative. According to the DENR's data, most of the volunteers were youth.
They collected over 12,000 sacks of various kinds of trash, weighing 120,000 kilograms.
“We are thrilled to see such a large turnout today. This is not only highlights the urgent need to protect our coastlines but also showcases the commitment of our communities to work together for a cleaner, healthier environment,” DENR-NCR OIC Matias said.
The DENR Secretary mentioned how the trash being thrown in the area, especially plastics, aispossibly eaten by people as it had already reached Manila Bay.
“Tayo ang problema, tayo rin ang solusyon. Kaya kailangan na kailangan na isagawa ang paglilinis para sa kinabukasan ng lahat,” Loyzaga said.
The ICC is a nationwide initiative where several communities volunteer to clean up the waters in different areas. It aims to strengthen the protection of the marine ecosystem.
