By Kenneth Marcos 
Plastic bottles, old slippers, food wrappers — these are just some of the trash collected by hundreds of volunteers who gathered along Manila Bay last week, answering the call to protect our oceans.
In celebration of International Coastal Cleanup 2025, the Environmental Management Bureau – National Capital Region (EMB-NCR) led a massive cleanup drive across key sites along the bay area, including the busy commercial zones of ASEANA and Solaire in Parañaque.
The event brought together volunteers from government agencies, private companies, NGOs, and local residents, all working with one goal: to help restore the country’s coastlines and raise awareness about ocean pollution.
United for a Cleaner, Safer Shoreline
The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is a yearly global movement held every third Saturday of September. In the Philippines, it draws thousands of participants each year, as the country remains one of the world’s top contributors to marine plastic pollution.
This year’s theme, “Nurturing Cities for a Sustainable Future,” focused on the shared responsibility of urban communities in protecting the environment, especially in coastal and low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding and waste buildup.
According to the DENR-NCR, the cleanup covered several hotspots along the Manila Bay shoreline. Volunteers started as early as 6 a.m., wearing gloves and carrying sacks, as they collected all sorts of marine debris — from plastic utensils to used face masks and abandoned fishing nets.
“Napakaraming basura sa dagat. Hindi natin ito malilinis kung walang tulong ng bawat isa,” said one participant from a local youth group. “Kahit isang araw lang, malaking bagay ang ambag natin sa kalikasan.”
Plastic Waste Still a Major Problem
A 2022 study by the World Bank noted that the Philippines produces more than 2 million tons of plastic waste each year, with a significant portion ending up in waterways and oceans. Much of this comes from single-use plastics and improper waste disposal in cities.
The Manila Bay rehabilitation program, launched in 2019, has since been working to improve the condition of the bay through cleanup efforts, enforcement of environmental laws, and community education.
But progress has been slow and uneven, with trash continuing to accumulate due to heavy rainfall, poor drainage systems, and human negligence.
Call for Long-Term Solutions
While cleanup drives offer temporary relief, experts say the root of the problem lies in poor waste management, over-reliance on plastic, and lack of environmental discipline among some communities.
DENR officials are urging both public and private sectors to work together — not just during cleanup events, but through sustainable urban planning, stricter regulations on waste disposal, and better access to recycling facilities.
They also encourage households to reduce plastic use, segregate waste properly, and participate in local environmental programs.
Small Actions, Big Impact
Events like the ICC show that change is possible when people act together. From students to professionals, security guards to CEOs, everyone has a role to play in keeping our seas and coastlines clean.
And as the waves of Manila Bay continue to crash onshore, volunteers hope that their efforts ripple out — inspiring more Filipinos to care for the waters that feed and protect our communities.
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