DENR Caraga, partners remove 6 tons of coastal waste

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga and its partners collected 6,027.92 kilograms (six tons) of non-biodegradable waste during a regionwide 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 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day and 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.

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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 aims not only to remove marine debris but also to strengthen public awareness of responsible waste management and prevent plastics and other pollutants from reaching waterways and oceans.

Cleanup activities were conducted in 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.

DENR Caraga emphasized that protecting coastal ecosystems remains crucial to 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. /mcm