By Kenneth Marcos 
Hundreds expected to join International Coastal Cleanup 2025 in Metro Manila’s key river
Caloocan City — Once a lifeline for communities and a source of clean water, the Tullahan River has become a symbol of urban pollution—choked with plastic waste, foul smells, and murky waters. But this weekend, hundreds of volunteers are set to bring it back to life.
On September 20, 2025, Filipinos from all walks of life will gather for a massive cleanup drive as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, focusing on critical waterways like the Tullahan River—one of the most important rivers in northern Metro Manila.
Stretching from La Mesa Watershed in Quezon City to Manila Bay, the Tullahan River is a crucial part of the capital’s ecosystem. It helps supply water, control floods, and support nearby communities. But years of uncontrolled dumping of garbage and untreated wastewater have left it severely polluted.
Call to Action for Cleaner Waterways
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) is leading the effort, calling on citizens to take action not just for one day, but for the future of the environment.
“Ang Tullahan ay buhay. Pero kailangan nating kumilos para ito’y muling sumigla,” the DENR-NCR said in a statement.
Organizers expect hundreds of volunteers to participate—from students and environmental groups to barangay officials and local residents. The cleanup aims to remove plastic waste, styrofoam, and other non-biodegradable materials that clog the river and threaten marine life downstream.
Why It Matters
The cleanup is part of a global movement that started in 1986, bringing together millions of people in over 100 countries to clean up coastlines, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
In the Philippines, which ranks among the world’s top contributors to ocean plastic pollution, the ICC has become an annual call for accountability and change.
A 2021 report by the World Bank revealed that the Philippines generates around 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, with over 20% leaking into waterways and the ocean. The Tullahan River, along with other major rivers like Pasig and San Juan, has been identified as a key source of marine waste entering Manila Bay.
How to Join
Anyone interested in volunteering for the cleanup may register by visiting the pinned post on the DENR-NCR’s official Facebook page. Safety reminders, proper waste segregation protocols, and equipment guidelines will be provided before the event.
Participants are encouraged to bring gloves, reusable water bottles, sun protection, and wear appropriate clothing for riverbank activities.
Building a Sustainable Future Together
Beyond cleanup efforts, environmental groups continue to push for long-term solutions such as stricter enforcement of waste segregation laws, improved waste management systems, and rehabilitation of waterways through community involvement.
As the country braces for worsening impacts of climate change and extreme weather, clean and healthy waterways are more critical than ever—for food, water, safety, and public health.
The message is clear: while the government and NGOs can lead, real change begins in every household, every barangay, and every act of care for nature.
Tullahan is life—be part of the solution.
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