By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga and its partners collected 6,027.92 kilograms of non-biodegradable waste during a region wide coastal cleanup campaign that covered 10.37 kilometers of shoreline across the region.
The cleanup, conducted from September 16 to 19, 2026, gathered 1,458 volunteers who collected 761 sacks of waste from 12 coastal sites in Caraga as part of the observance of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day and the Philippine National Cleanup Month.
Anchored on the theme “Clean Seas for Resilient Communities,” the activity brought together government agencies, local government units, schools, community organizations, civic groups, youth volunteers, and private-sector partners in a collective effort to address marine pollution.
The collected waste consisted mostly of plastic bags, cigarette butts, beverage bottles, food wrappers, single-use plastics, and other discarded materials found along coastal areas.
DENR Caraga said the initiative aimed not only to remove marine debris but also to strengthen public awareness on responsible waste management and prevent plastics and other pollutants from reaching waterways and oceans.
Cleanup activities were conducted in various areas, including Cabadbaran City and Carmen in Agusan del Norte; Placer, Tagana-an, and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte; General Luna in Siargao Island; Rosario, Tandag City, Cantilan, Bislig City, and Lianga in Surigao del Sur; and San Jose in Dinagat Islands.
In Cabadbaran City, government agencies, academic institutions, community groups, and private organizations joined the cleanup, including the city government, Barangay Tolosa, Butuan Bay Development Alliance, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Caraga State University-Cabadbaran Campus, and DENR offices in the region.
Similar partnerships were formed in other coastal areas, with participation from environmental agencies, uniformed personnel, local communities, and private organizations.
The activity records showed that among participants who provided gender information, 415 were male and 335 were female, reflecting broad community involvement in environmental protection efforts.
DENR Caraga emphasized that protecting coastal ecosystems remains crucial in conserving marine biodiversity, supporting coastal livelihoods, and building climate-resilient communities.
The agency said sustained public participation and improved waste management practices are necessary to ensure cleaner seas and healthier coastal environments in the region.
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