11K volunteers join coastal cleanup for World Oceans Day, Coral Triangle Day

More than 11,000 volunteers joined the nationwide simultaneous coastal cleanup organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday to mark World Oceans Day and Coral Triangle Day.

The cleanup was participated in by DENR regional and field offices employees, members of the private sector, representatives from the national and local government units, and local communities, according to a report by Carlo Mateo on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

In Luzon, more than 4,000 volunteers from Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Bicol Region joined the activity.

In Visayas, almost 3,000 volunteers from Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas participated in the coastal cleanup in Argao in Cebu, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Borongan in Eastern Samar, San Juan in Southern Leyte, and other areas.

Meanwhile, in Mindanao, around 4,500 volunteers from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 trooped to coastal areas for the coastal cleanup.

Many of the items gathered during the activity were single-use plastic containers, and trash that reached the shore and waters.

The DENR said it is important to prevent trash from reaching bodies of water as these will become micro litter which can affect fishes and other marine life.

"As we honor the countless benefits our oceans provide, it's crucial to also recognize the growing impact of our actions on these vital ecosystems. Human activities are increasingly harming the oceans, endangering the health of our planet," the DENR said.

World Oceans Day with the 2024 theme "Awaken New Depths" was on Saturday, June 8, while Coral Triangle Day is on Sunday, June 9. —KG, GMA Integrated News