Bicol: The garbage collected during the Bicol region-wide cleanup in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day over the weekend was higher than the waste collected last year, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bicol (DENR-5) on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla Jr. reported that this year’s cleanup effort resulted in approximately 9,027 kg. of garbage being collected, surpassing the 8,180 kg. collected in 2024. Milla emphasized that the fight against marine pollution is an ongoing commitment, urging the public to engage in proper waste management and support initiatives that protect the oceans. ‘Our goal is not only to clean today but to prevent waste from polluting our oceans tomorrow,’ Milla stated in a news release.

The collected waste included grocery bags, beverage bottles, cans, caps, cigarette butts, plastic straws, cups, utensils, food and candy wrappers, styrofoam, lids, fishing lines, nets, rope, diapers, slippers, tires, clothing, e-cigarettes, toy plushies, and appliance parts.

In Camarines Norte, volunteers gathered approximately 2,206 kg. of solid waste from three sites: San Jose in Talisay, Bagasbas in Daet, and San Roque in Mercedes. In Legazpi City, cleanup efforts resulted in 1,644.48 kg. of trash being removed from the shorelines of Barangays Lamba, Puro, and Macabalo River in Dapdap, alongside 147 sacks in Masbate province.

Efforts along the shorelines of Virac and Bato in Catanduanes yielded 345 sacks weighing 1,158 kg., while 216 sacks weighing 1,610.71 kg. were collected in Sorsogon. In Barangay Coguit, Balatan, Camarines Sur, 10 sacks of solid waste weighing around 63 kg. were collected, and about 624 kg. were gathered in Barangay Sta. Maria, Presentacion, Camarines Sur. A separate cleanup in Barangay Anib, Sipocot, Camarines Sur resulted in approximately 60 kg. of waste being collected. In Guinobatan, Albay, about 232 kg. were collected during the cleanup activities.