Volunteers participate in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Handout/SM Cares

MANILA -- Over 23,000 participants collected some 135,000 kilograms of waste from various coastal locations during the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event at SM by the Bay Central Park in Pasay on Saturday. 

The event, organized by SM Cares in collaboration with SM by the Bay and the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR), was held concurrently in 15 different SM Supermalls, addressing coastal areas sites nationwide.

In Pasay, 16,363 volunteers contributed to the effort, collecting over 115,200 kilograms of trash at the SM by the Bay site alone. The event, organized in partnership with Local Government Units (LGUs) and the International Coastal Cleanup Organization, aimed to foster community spirit and encourage bayanihan to preserve natural waters through shoreline cleanups. 

Cleanup activities took place in diverse locations, with volunteers from SM City Bataan tackling coastal areas near Balanga Wetland. At the same time, teams from SM City Tuguegarao and SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown cleaned Cataggamanan Viejo. 

Other notable contributions included efforts at Bagasbas Beach by SM City Daet, Legazpi Boulevard by SM City Legazpi, and Bauayan River by SM City General Santos.

In Zamboanga City, SM City Mindpro volunteers gathered to clean the RT Lim Boulevard, while in Cebu, both SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu took part in cleaning the Kinalumsan River. 

SM City Sorsogon took charge of the pier site of Barangay Talisay and Bitan-o. Additionally, SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Olongapo Downtown collaborated to clean up Kalaklan Parola. 

In Palawan, volunteers from SM City Puerto Princesa focused on cleaning the Puerto Princesa City Walk Bay. Lastly, Capiz, SM City Roxas joined the cleanup activity at Barangay Culasi.

The waste gathered will undergo proper disposal using established facilities.

SM Cares, a social responsibility division of SM Supermalls is dedicated to sustainability efforts and community development, stressing the importance of environmental stewardship in local communities.