Volunteers, students, and personnel from the Manila Department of Public Services joined forces to clean up Baseco Beach in Tondo, Manila on Saturday, Sept. 20, in support of the 40th International Coastal Cleanup. (Photo by Mark Balmores)
Dozens of volunteers took part in a massive cleanup drive at Baseco Beach in Tondo, Manila, in observance of the 40th International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) on Saturday, Sept. 20, the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) said.
The office said that over 40 sacks of garbage were collected from the shoreline by students, local government unit (LGU) personnel, and other civic and environmental groups during the event.
Beyond Baseco Beach, all barangays in the city simultaneously conducted their weekly cleanup and declogging operations to maintain cleanliness in their communities and reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rains and storms.
Held annually on the third Saturday of September, the ICC mobilizes people worldwide to remove garbage from beaches and waterways, raising awareness about ocean preservation and protection.
According to estimates, there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. While some of this plastic was dumped directly into the sea, some was swept in from the coastline.
Ridding beaches of plastic and other garbage lessens the likelihood of it ending up in the ocean.
The ICC has become a global movement with 6 million volunteers across 100 countries doing their part to keep the coastlines clean.