By Kenneth Marcos 
As the morning sun rose over Manila Bay, hundreds of volunteers lined the shores of SM by the Bay, wearing rubber boots and holding sacks, ready to face the piles of trash brought in by the tide. For many, it was not just a cleanup—it was a stand for a better future.
On Saturday, September 20, SM by the Bay became one of the major cleanup sites in Metro Manila for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR). This annual event gathered environmental advocates, students, workers, families, and local communities to help remove waste from coastal areas.
Coastal Cleanup at a Key Manila Landmark
SM by the Bay, a popular destination for locals and tourists, turned into a hub of environmental action as volunteers worked side by side to collect and sort plastic bottles, food wrappers, straws, and other debris.
“This place brings joy to families every day,” said one volunteer from Quezon City. “It’s only right that we give back and help keep it clean.”
Cleanup teams started early in the morning and worked through the heat. Organizers provided gloves, sacks, and basic safety gear. Waste collected was documented to help understand the type and amount of trash polluting the bay.
Why Coastal Cleanup Still Matters
Plastic waste remains a serious problem in the Philippines. According to the World Bank, Filipinos produce around 2.7 million tons of plastic waste per year, with 20% ending up in the ocean.
International Coastal Cleanup Day, held every third Saturday of September, reminds the public of this urgent issue. While one-day cleanups cannot solve the problem entirely, they raise awareness and encourage long-term habits in communities.
DENR-NCR emphasized the importance of such events in promoting environmental responsibility among Filipinos. “Events like this show that every person can make a difference,” a spokesperson said.
Working Together for Cleaner Cities
This year’s ICC theme, “Nurturing Cities for a Sustainable Future,” highlighted the need for urban areas like Metro Manila to take stronger action against pollution. SM by the Bay’s location—between urban development and natural coastline—made it a powerful symbol of the balance between progress and preservation.
Aside from SM volunteers and DENR staff, the cleanup was joined by barangay workers, police officers, local NGOs, and ordinary citizens who simply wanted to help.
Participants also shared their experiences on social media using the hashtags #ICC2025 and #DENRNCR, helping spread the message beyond the cleanup sites.
The Work Doesn’t End Here
Environmental advocates say the public must go beyond single-day efforts and commit to everyday actions, such as reducing plastic use, practicing proper waste disposal, and supporting laws that protect the environment.
“The real goal is to stop trash from reaching the coast in the first place,” said one cleanup team leader. “That starts at home, in every barangay, and in every business.”
As volunteers packed up their tools and took one last look at the cleaner shoreline of SM by the Bay, the message was clear: lasting change starts with community action, one piece of trash at a time.
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