The third Sunday of September of each year is declared as International Coastal Clean–Up (ICC) Day considered as world’s largest volunteer effort for our ocean and waterways. People all over the world remove trash from the shores and document what they find. The data is compiled and published in an annual global report on marine debris by the Ocean Conservancy.  In the Philippines, Proclamation No. 470 was passed in observance of the same global event signifying our commitment for the preservation of our coastal and marine resources.

As in the previous year and part of our continuing efforts and shared commitment, the local government unit (LGU) of Zamboanga City led by the by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) shall undertake a coastal clean-up activity along the stretch of R.T. Lim Boulevard and other coastal areas with the participation of the community and other stakeholders on September 23, 2018.  

The OCENR through its designated point person of city’s cleanliness and upkeep in particular on solid waste management, OCENR enjoins the participation of national government agencies (NGAs), barangays, academe, uniformed personnel, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to actively participate. He said that the registration of the event will start at 5:00 in the morning which will be followed by a short program at 7:00 in the morning. Participants are advised to bring rubber or plastic gloves, sacks or net bags, hat or cap, snacks and water. 

This activity is also in response to Ocean Conservancy call for towns and cities to participate in this year’s cleaning of coastlines as a symbol of commitment to cleaning the ocean and send a powerful message of protecting the special marine habitats, restoring sustainable fisheries, reducing the human impact on ocean ecosystems on the need to help the Oceans in its greatest challenge being confronted today – plastic pollution.