Manila Bay Cleanup Draws Nearly 37,000 Volunteers

MANILA, Philippines — Employees from Manila Water's East Zone and Non-East Zone operations joined thousands of volunteers at the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2026, held at Manila Bay's Dolomite Beach on September 19, 2026. The annual cleanup, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), mobilized a total of 36,897 volunteers from private companies, local communities, and government agencies. The initiative aimed to beautify Manila Bay and raise awareness about marine pollution issues. The large-scale cleanup event is designed to increase recognition of the environmental impact caused by marine plastic waste and other debris. Manila Water, as part of its commitment to sustainable water resource management and environmental conservation, encouraged employee participation. Through active engagement in community environmental protection activities, the company strives to achieve a cleaner and healthier marine environment. With its extensive coastline and rich marine ecosystems, the Philippines faces significant challenges with marine pollution, particularly plastic waste. Volunteer activities like these play a crucial role in raising public awareness and prompting concrete actions towards addressing the problem. ICC 2026 stood out as one of the key events among similar cleanups conducted across the Philippines.