The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is a global movement celebrated every 3rd Saturday of September of the year and being participated by more than 100 countries across the globe, as we rally the community towards a common goal of collecting and documenting the trash littering the coastline. In the Philippines, we are also celebrating the National Cleanup Day which is in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup Campaign, better known as the ICCPH.
In 2017, the Philippines was ranked #1 with the most number of volunteers, but still #3 in line as the biggest dumper of plastics in the ocean. The Ocean Trash Index, has the world's largest item-by-item, location-by-location database of trash found in near-shore environments based on the gathered data submitted by all the volunteers of ICC. Plastic debris remains a growing concern in the marine environment, with the top five most commonly collected items such as cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps, and plastic grocery bags, respectively.
The trash collection data is really very important because it is a tool that will help governments, manufacturing industries, businesses and individuals in making smart ways and solutions to the current environmental trash and marine debris problem. As we participate in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup and National Cleanup activities scheduled on September 21, 2019, we encourage everyone to participate in the data-gathering efforts so we can have a better assessment of the trash in our respective areas.
With the trash collection data presented, there is an urgent need to address this issue of marine litter and beach cleanup alone is not enough. The highlight of this continuous effort is the ICC PHILIPPINES ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT, a supplement to the annual beach cleanup.
This year, we are happy to announce that the ICCPH Environmental Summit campaign which started in Subic Bay Freeport Zone back in 2014 is now expanded in the Visayas region as we are launching its 5th International Coastal Cleanup Philippines Environmental Summit in Cebu on September 25 and 26, 2019 at Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City.
The ICCPH Environmental Summit has three (3) areas that will happen simultaneously, First, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Empowerment Training Camp that is more focused on empowering high potential youths, the new generation – millennials, the hope of our future. Tapping the best practices of top Filipinos and global organizations, to inspire them to be the next leaders of the future. They will be trained to come up with viable solutions for the pressing environmental issues using new approach, peaceful and constructive ways of problem-solving. Second, the Eco-Fair where we have invited exhibitors to display innovative and efficient recycling ways to solve our trash problem, eco-friendly products, and advocacies concerning our environment. Third, is the Environmental Symposium that is open to the public where the local government, private sectors, and the consumers can create a system on how we can solve our trash problem.
If we want to change the world for the better, there has to be a change in people’s behavior. With this year’s theme “I am one” let us be reminded that we are one with nature, we are one with the ocean.
This event is presented by Sustainable Energy & Enterprise Development for Communities (SEED4COM) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 7; Co-presented by Cebu Pacific Airlines, Coca-Cola Philippines, Local Government of Lapu-lapu, Local Government of Cordova; Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Lapu-lapu City and Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort; Sponsored by Oceana Philippines, JCI Makati, HP Ventures Inc., Kiwanis Division 1A, Jets Power Movers Services & Trading Inc., Peoples Jeep, BCY Travel and Tours, Bubble Tea, Zigalnor Wooden Handicrafts Inc., Three H Redwood Academy, RLAF Training Group & Services and WeGen Philippines; Supported by International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Coalition for Better Education, Balangay Marina Sailing and Yacht Club (BMSYC), Subic Sailing Club, National Coast Watch Council Secretariat (NCWCS), Department of Transportation, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7, Department of Education (DepEd), WWF Philippines, St. James Academy of Skills & Technology Inc., Pusyon Kinaiyahan, PhilAsia Marine, Lions Club Magellan, JVZEA Pharmaceuticals. This event is organized by the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation, Philippine Marine Environment Protection Association Inc., Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), and Lara at Juan Media.