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.

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla Jr. said garbage collected this year were about 9,027 kg. as compared to 8,180 kg. in 2024.

Milla said the battle against marine pollution is a year-round effort.

“Let us sustain this momentum by practicing proper waste management and supporting initiatives that safeguard our seas. Our goal is not only to clean today but to prevent waste from polluting our oceans tomorrow,” Milla said in a news release.

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

In Camarines Norte, volunteers collected approximately 2,206 kg. of solid wastes from three cleanup sites, San Jose in Talisay, Bagasbas in Daet, and San Roque in Mercedes.

In Legazpi City, 1,644.48 kg. of waste were collected from the shorelines of Barangays Lamba, Puro, and Macabalo River in Dapdap, and 147 sacks in Masbate province.

Along the shorelines of Virac and Bato in Catanduanes, 345 sacks weighing 1,158 kg. were collected and 216 sacks weighing 1,610.71 kg. in Sorsogon.

Similarly, a total of 10 sacks of solid waste weighing around 63 kg. were collected during the cleanup in Barangay Coguit, Balatan, Camarines Sur and about 624 kg. in Barangay Sta. Maria, Presentacion, Camarines Sur.

About 60 kg. of waste were collected in a separate cleanup in Barangay Anib, Sipocot, Camarines Sur.

In Guinobatan, Albay, about 232 kg. were collected. (PNA)