Maribelle Boral- Cabling

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources spearheaded a simultaneous coastal cleanup nationwide in celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day held on September 20, 2025.
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Across 298 cleanup sites, the DENR, together with thousands of partner organizations, collected nearly 460,000 kilograms of waste– a massive weight taken off from our oceans and shorelines in just a single day. This is through the collective effort of 86,000 volunteers nationwide. 

The ICC is the largest volunteer movement for the environment and is held every Third Saturday of September every year. It plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the environmental impact of marine debris, engaging communities, and promoting sustainable practices.

According to Ariz Abad, Head of the DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communications and Initiatives Group, the ICC is not just about collecting trash, but also about instilling responsibility among citizens.

“We have to teach people to be committed environmental stewards—not just during coastal cleanup drives, but also by practicing proper segregation and disposal of trash in offices, schools, and at home,” Abad said.

He also emphasized that improper solid waste management leads to biodiversity loss in rivers and seas, while also posing risks to public health.

Meanwhile, the ICC celebration does more than just remove trash—it also documents waste and debris through a “trash audit.” This provides statistics on the types of waste that end up in oceans and waterways.

‍“All the data gathered will be used in policy-making to address the country’s waste problem,” Abad explained.

The UNTV-Ocean Care Initiative (OCI) and the Members Church of God International (MCGI) made a strong statement for environmental action as they collected a total of 919 sacks of trash, weighing 9,553 kilograms, during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025 held on September 20, 2025.

This is in support of the simultaneous coastal cleanup activities spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 298 cleanup sites across the country. The UNTV-OCI mobilized a total of 1,132 youth volunteers from MCGI nationwide as a contribution to this collective environmental effort.

DENR recognizes MCGI’s contribution
Ariz Abad, Head of the Regional Strategic Communications and Initiatives Group of DENR-NCR, highlighted the importance of the International Coastal Cleanup. He said this global initiative is not just about collecting trash, but also about raising awareness and encouraging communities to become committed environmental stewards.
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“On behalf of the DENR, we would like to thank all the participants, volunteers of the international coastal cleanups. One of those volunteer organizations is the MCGI Cares, so we’re really thankful and grateful for organizations like yours that actively work not only with the DENR but also for the benefit of the general public,” Abad said.
Abad also reiterated the need for communities to work hand in hand, stressing that ocean pollution must be tackled through a whole-of-society approach.

NYC underscores role of the youth
Meanwhile, National Youth Commission Undersecretary Jeff Ortega emphasized the importance of collective action of youth in finding innovative solutions to the challenges facing society.

“This is very important because, as you know, with what’s happening now in the Philippines—there’s corruption, there are issues with flood control—this is one way for us to come together. What we are doing here is an example of us taking action. When the youth act collectively, we can truly see changes in our country. Because nowadays, solutions to problems are different. The problems we face now require innovation, and when you talk about innovation, the youth naturally have that kind of mindset,” Ortega said.

Instilling values and environmental stewardship
Ortega added that the simple act of picking up trash instills the value of caring for the environment. Ortega also acknowledged the vital role of religious organizations in shaping good values, such as environmental stewardship, among the youth.

‍“As much as possible, we want to spread the gospel of good values to everyone. For me, it’s very important that our interfaith and religious sectors are here, because like you guys—showcasing what the youth can do—is something you can also bring back to your church. And if all your churchgoers are taught to be stewards of God’s creation, then surely, what a beautiful world we will have,” he said.‍

To God be the glory!

The UNTV-Ocean Care Initiative (OCI), together with the volunteers from Members Church of God International (MCGI), will once again join hands with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in championing the International Coastal Cleanup 2025.

The DENR, through its regional and field offices, will spearhead a nationwide coastal cleanup on September 20, 2025, as part of this global initiative. This year’s theme, “Clean Seas Against Climate Crisis —Tayo ang Solusyon” aims to highlight how coastal cleanups—addresing marine pollutions, contribute to climate action. 

The DENR, in its concept note for this year’s event, emphasized that marine litter poses a serious threat to our coastal and marine ecosystems like mangrove forest, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. These ecosystems serve as vital nature-based solutions against climate change. However, the majority of marine debris found in our coastal waters comes from land-based human activities. This makes public awareness essential in driving community initiatives that aim to curb marine pollution.“

Community actions like coastal cleanups play an essential role in protecting these ecosystems and building climate-resilient communities,” the DENR stated.

Reaffirming their strong commitment to environmental stewardship, UNTV-OCI and the MCGI will mobilize its volunteers across the country to participate in this meaningful cause. UNTV-OCI stands with the DENR in emphasizing how collective action like coastal cleanups can help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Together with the DENR and other partners, UNTV-OCI and the MCGI continue to stand united in protecting coastal communities and championing sustainable oceans for future generations.

The International Coastal Cleanup is the largest volunteer effort for the environment and is held every Third Saturday of September every year.

The University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) is set to establish the country’s first coral larvae cryobank at the Bolinao Marine Laboratory in Pangasinan. This is to boost coral restoration in the Philippines amid increasing threats from climate change and human activity.

A coral cryobank is a facility where scientists freezes and stores coral genetic material, such as eggs, or larvae, to create a genetic backup for coral reefs.

This coral restoration effort is part of a groundbreaking project entitled ‘Coral Conservation Capacity Development in the Coral Triangle: A Cryorepository Network for Coral Larvae’. It aims to conserve coral reef biodiversity through cryopreservation–a process done through freezing in ultra-low temperatures. 

This project involves research institutions from the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to establish the first regional network of coral larval cryobanks in the Coral Triangle–a globally significant marine biodiversity hotspot.

According to Dr. Maria Vanessa Baria-Rodriguez, lead of the Philippine research team, the project is not just about preserving corals but also about building a foundation for future research and reef restoration that can benefit generations to come. Dr. Baria-Rodriguez, together with her laboratory, the Interactions of Marine Bionts and Benthic Ecosystems Laboratory (IMBIBE), aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to safeguard coral biodiversity. 

The Coral Conservation Capacity Development project is spearheaded by Dr. Chiahsin Lin of National Dong Hwa University and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Taiwan, and is supported by the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) through the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. (MERF).

“The project is currently focused on pocilloporid corals with a brooding reproductive strategy. Pocilloporid coral larvae are collected from hatchery-monitored colonies and preserved in liquid-nitrogen for long-term storage and future use in coral restoration. Pocilloporid corals are considered weedy species; they are among the first to colonize disturbed reefs due to their rapid growth and fast reproductive cycles. These traits make them valuable for accelerating reef recovery. However, their sensitivity to climate stress, especially coral bleaching, poses a significant challenge to their long-term survival,” UP MSI stated.

UP MSI added that the project aims to adapt cryopreservation protocols for other coral species.

Ryan Carl De Juan, a research assistant at the IMBIBE laboratory, has begun collecting and monitoring brooding Pocilloporid colonies, with initial trials in vitrification and banking resulting in the successful cryopreservation of early-stage coral larvae.UP MSI said the team continues its monthly efforts to increase the number of cryopreserved larvae across various target coral areas.