By Kenneth Marcos 
As the sun rose over Manila Bay, volunteers lined the coastal dike of Barangay Bagumbayan North, picking up plastic waste and debris washed ashore by the tide. The scene was both festive and serious, as the City of Navotas marked its 120th founding anniversary with a clear message: protecting the coast is a shared responsibility.
On January 9, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO)–North joined a simultaneous coastal cleanup in Navotas City. The activity was part of the city’s anniversary celebration and a show of support for the ongoing Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, a national effort to restore the bay’s water quality and coastal ecosystems.
The cleanup was held along the Coastal Dike in Barangay Bagumbayan North and was led by the Navotas local government unit. Vice Mayor Tito Sanchez spearheaded the event and thanked government agencies, private groups, and residents who took part in the activity. He said the strong turnout showed that many Navoteños understand the importance of caring for the environment, especially for a coastal city that depends heavily on fishing and marine resources.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Office of Navotas, together with the Barangay Government of Bagumbayan North, also expressed gratitude to partner agencies and volunteers for their continued support. They stressed that regular cleanups help prevent waste from reaching the sea, where it can harm fish, mangroves, and other marine life.
Aside from DENR MEO–North, participants included personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority–Navotas, representatives from the private sector, community organizations, and residents. Even the candidates of Mutya ng Navotas 2026 joined the cleanup, highlighting how environmental protection can be part of civic pride and public engagement.
DENR MEO–North Officer-in-Charge Director Glenn Alvin S. Gustilo emphasized that the agency remains committed to long-term solutions to environmental challenges. He said coastal cleanups are important not only to remove trash but also to raise awareness about proper waste management and the impact of pollution on health and livelihoods.
Navotas, known as the fishing capital of the Philippines, faces unique environmental pressures. Large volumes of waste from households, businesses, and nearby waterways often end up along its shores. Plastic waste, in particular, threatens fish stocks and coastal habitats, which many families rely on for income. Government data show that improper waste disposal remains one of the main contributors to pollution in Manila Bay.
The Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program aims to address these issues through stricter enforcement of environmental laws, improved sewage and waste management, and active participation from local governments and communities. Coastal cleanups, while temporary solutions, play a key role in mobilizing citizens and reminding them that daily habits, such as reducing plastic use and proper trash disposal, matter.
DENR officials said sustained cooperation between the national government, local officials, and ordinary citizens is necessary to keep coastal areas clean. They encouraged communities to continue participating in cleanup drives and to support programs that promote recycling, waste segregation, and environmental education.
As Navotas celebrates more than a century of cityhood, the coastal cleanup served as a reminder that progress must go hand in hand with environmental care. Protecting the shoreline today helps secure food, jobs, and safety for future generations who will call the city home.
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