MANILA - Thousands of volunteers and government workers on Sunday kicked off an inter-agency effort cleanup of the Manila Bay, a popular tourist spot whose waters were fouled by waste.

About 5,000 people in the capital, many carrying broomsticks and trash bags, joined a solidarity walk and program launching the rehabilitation, dubbed "Battle for Manila Bay."

Hundreds also carted off garbage from estuaries in adjoining provinces, which flow into Manila Bay.

Browse through this gallery for photos of the cleanup's Day 1.

Volunteers pick up trash along Manila Bay. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Policemen and volunteers gather ahead of a cleanup in Barangay Tawiran, Obando, Bulacan. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

Garbage floats off some fisheries surrounding Manila Bay. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

Cabinet secretaries lead a solidarity walk from Quirino Grandstand to Manila Bay. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

Several bags of trash are collected from Manila Bay. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Some fishermen help in the cleanup. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

Volunteers march along Roxas Boulevard ahead of the cleanup. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Manila Bay rehab organizers provide cleaning materials to volunteers, but ask future participants to bring their own. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

Volunteers raise their hands for the pledge of commitment to the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

"Para sa Manila Bay, para sa bayan!” cheered some volunteers while scooping trash from a river in Obando, Bulacan, which flows into Manila Bay. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

A volunteer balances on a log to gather trash from an Obando river. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News

Volunteers in an Obando village gather some 300 sacks of trash in the first hour alone of the cleanup. ABS-CBN News

Police officers use improvised garbage filters made of wood and electric fan cover to sift through the murky waters. Kevin Manalo, ABS-CBN News