THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has called on the more than two million government officials and employees to lend a hand in the National Coastal Clean-up effort next month in observance of the country’s commitment to help reduce marine debris.
This year, the activity coincides with the celebration of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA).
The clean-up drive, a joint initiative with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is aimed at promoting environmental stewardship through community engagement and coastal ecosystem protection.
Specific schedules and venues will be coordinated and announced by CSC Regional Offices in partnership with the DENR.
Interested individuals may contact their respective CSC Regional Offices for further details.
The activity is one of the major events under the PCSA, which carries the theme “Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani: Puso, Dangal, at Galing Para sa Bayan.”
Last year, the activity collected an estimated 352.48 metric tons of trash and debris including discarded plastics and other waste materials.
This was substantially higher than the 249.382 MT of waste gathered in the 2022 Coastal Clean-up activity recorded by the Ocean Conservancy, a US-based environmental advocacy group.
The clean-up is an annual event that started more than 20 years ago with the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 470 s. 2003 which designated the third Saturday of September each year as International Coastal Cleanup Day.
By protecting biodiversity and mitigating flooding, the clean-up helps safeguard local communities.
Likewise, removing trash/debris from shorelines and waterways improves drainage, while restoring natural buffers like wetlands and mangroves enhances coastal resilience by absorbing floodwaters and reducing storm impact.
“These efforts also support the planned establishment of local tree sanctuaries nationwide, contributing to long-term ecosystem restoration and community sustainability,” the CSC said.
