ILOILO – A coastal cleanup led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 removed nearly 525 kilograms of waste from the shoreline of Oton, Iloilo, underscoring the growing threat of plastic pollution to marine ecosystems and prompting renewed calls for communities to reduce waste at its source.
A total of 241 volunteers collected 72 sacks of garbage weighing 524.9 kilograms along a 1,818-meter stretch of coastline in barangays Alegre and Poblacion East during the June 8 cleanup activity held in observance of World Oceans Day 2026.
The volume and composition of the waste highlighted the persistent problem of single-use plastics and other discarded consumer products reaching coastal waters.
The volunteers, composed of 145 women and 96 men, were divided into two teams to cover separate sections of the shoreline. Team 1 cleaned an 809-meter stretch in Barangay Alegre, while Team 2 covered 1,009 meters in Barangay Poblacion East.
Waste audit results showed that plastic materials dominated the debris collected.
The five most common items recovered were other plastic bags (1,587 pieces), food wrappers (1,325), plastic beverage bottles (1,276), clothing items (943), and glass beverage bottles (415).
The activity was attended by DENR-6 regional executive director Raul Lorilla; Mines and Geosciences Bureau-6 regional director Cecilia Ochavo-Saycon; Environmental Management Bureau-6 regional director Atty. Ramar Pascua; and Oton Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Menchie Paniergo, highlighting collaboration between government agencies and local communities in environmental protection efforts.
The cleanup coincided with the celebration of World Oceans Day 2026, carrying the theme “Reimagine,” which encourages people to rethink their relationship with the ocean and recognize its vital role in daily life.
“From our upland forests and watersheds down to our coastal communities, our ecosystems are completely bound together. Protecting our oceans isn’t just about cleaning the beach; it’s about changing how we live upstream,” DENR-6 stated.
“This World Oceans Day, let’s commit to a ‘ridge-to-reef’ mindset. By protecting our land and reducing waste at the source, we safeguard the vibrant marine life, coral reefs, and coastal livelihoods that sustain our islands,” it added.
DENR emphasized that protecting marine resources requires a broader ecosystem approach that addresses environmental issues from upland areas to coastal communities. The agency said reducing waste generation and adopting sustainable practices are critical to preserving coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods./PN
