The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) racked up at least 1,000 sacks of non-biodegradable waste materials as it spearheaded a coastal clean-up drive at the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in Manila on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Rear Admiral Robert Patrimonio, commander of the PCG's Marine Environmental Protection Command, led the command's efforts in taking part with the celebration of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day 2022 that carried the theme "Fighting for Trash-Free Seas, Pilipinas!"
"The International Coastal Clean-up Drive is vital as it promotes and unites countries and people with one common objective which is to take care of our environment by maintaining the cleanliness of our shorelines, rivers, lakes, and other waterways," the PCG said.
Wearing casual shirts and shorts in their trademark color orange and black, coast guardians picked up pieces of trash that were washed ashore on the artificial white sand beach along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard as early as 6 a.m.
All in all, there were 310 coast guardians and representatives from PCG Auxiliary, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Heirs of the World Inc., Hotel 101 Manila, Climate Change Commission, and Eagles Club who participated in the initiative.
The coastal clean-up drive was simultaneously held in PCG stations nationwide.
In Tagum City, the PCG District Southeastern Mindanao collected approcimately 800 kilos of waste materials along the coastline of Barangay Madaum.
They were joined by representatives from the Hijo Resources, Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office, Boy Scout of the Philippines Tagum City Council, La Filipina Elementary School, and United States Marines.
In Basilan, the PCG Station Basilan also racked up 20 sacks of waste materials along the 500-meter long coastline of Barangay Baluno, Isabela City.
The International Coastal Clean-up Day was declared on the third Saturday of September of each year in the Philippines under the Presidential Proclamation No. 470 issued in 2003.
The clean-up drive also coincided with the observance of the Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) and 23rd Maritime Week which aims to dedicate the month of September to "harmonize, integrate, and synchronize programs and activities that will raise national consciousness on maritime archipelagic concerns."