LAPU-LAPU COLLECTS 12,334 KILOS OF TRASH IN COASTAL, UNDERWATER CLEANUPS AS VOLUNTEER TURNOUT DOUBLES
Lapu-Lapu City collected 12,334.40 kilograms of trash from its coastlines during this year's International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) held September 19 — a volume city officials say is tied directly to a near-doubling of volunteer turnout, not necessarily a worsening pollution trend.
Some 6,800 volunteers from various sectors, together with city government employees, took part across 15 coastal areas on the mainland and island barangays of Olango, Pangan-an, Caohagan, and Caubian, backed by 91 partner organizations and institutions. A Scubasurero underwater cleanup ran alongside it, with 100 volunteer divers doing their part below the surface.
Based on the final consolidated report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 7 and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), volunteers hauled in 1,779 sacks of mixed waste.
Single-use plastics remained the most common items pulled from the shoreline. Food wrappers topped the list at 12,747 pieces, followed by other plastic bags (6,841), plastic grocery bags (6,584), plastic beverage bottles (5,666), and beverage sachets or pouches (4,520). Also collected were plastic cups and plates (4,383), plastic bottle caps (3,551), plastic food containers (3,463), plastic or foam pieces (3,096), and plastic sachets — including detergent and shampoo sachets — at 2,813 pieces.
CENRO Officer-in-Charge Jocelyn Abayan was direct about the reason behind the year-on-year jump in volume, cautioning against reading it as a standalone pollution figure without the context of turnout.
"Based on the results compared to last year, there is a significant increase in volume. However, we also have to consider that the number of volunteers doubled in 2026. From 3,691 volunteers last year, this year's ICC volunteers reached more than 6,800. Because daghan kaayo ang ni-volunteer, mao nang daghan ta ug nakuha nga waste. So daghan na gyud ang nagpakabana para sa kalimpyo sa atong syudad," she said.
In other words, more volunteers covering more ground were the main driver of the bigger haul — not necessarily a spike in how much trash is washing up or being dumped.
The Olango Island Group — home to Olango, Pangan-an, Caohagan, and Caubian — is a known bird and marine sanctuary area, making the waste recovered there especially relevant to the wider ecological health of Cebu's coastal waters. Officials noted the recoverable and residual waste collected could have otherwise ended up at sea, posing risks to marine life, fisherfolk livelihoods, and the tourism sector the city relies on.
Moving forward, CENRO said it will build on the results of ICC 2026 by strengthening its information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns and waste management programs.
"We will continue to enforce regulations on single-use plastics and the Lapu-Lapu City Ordinance on waste management, as well as strengthen the city's IEC programs on waste segregation, especially for residents in coastal barangays," Abayan added.
Lapu-Lapu City expressed solidarity with DENR Region 7, Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup Philippines, and other environmental partners in addressing the need for proper waste disposal and reduction.
QUICK SUMMARY
What: 12,334.40 kilos (1,779 sacks) of trash collected during International Coastal Cleanup 2026 — volume increase driven mainly by nearly double the volunteers (3,691 → 6,800), per CENRO
Where: Lapu-Lapu City — 15 coastal areas, including Olango, Pangan-an, Caohagan, and Caubian
When: September 19, 2026
Visayas impact: Highlights risk to marine life, fisherfolk livelihoods, and tourism in the Olango Island Group and nearby Cebu coastal waters
Source: DENR Region 7, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO Lapu-Lapu City)