Phoenix, partners join int’l coastal cleanup day
Volunteers and organizations collected trash along rivers, beaches, and waterways around the country last Sept. 16, the International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Phoenix Philippines Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, joined in the initiative by conducting coastal cleanup activities in different Phoenix depots across the country.
At least 1,800 Phoenix officers and employees, members of the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Coastal Guard Auxiliary, the Philippine Navy, City Environment and Resources Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, local coastal barangays, non-government organizations, and students from Phoenix adopted schools participated in the activities.
A total of 1,200 sacks of junk and debris were collected along the coastlines. The cleanups were done in coastal areas near their depots in General Santos City, Davao City, Zamboanga City, Misamis Oriental, Bacolod City, Cebu, Aklan, Iloilo, Batangas, and Oriental Mindoro, while employees from the Phoenix Petroleum Taguig office joined other volunteers in the cleanup activity on Roxas Blvd., Manila.
“This coastal cleanup is a strong show of community and cooperation in protecting and preserving our marine resources,” said Raymond Zorrilla, Phoenix Petroleum vice president for external affairs.
On its 32nd year, the international coastal cleanup is spearheaded by the Ocean Conservancy and is done every third Saturday of September. The Philippines has been an active participant, holding the record for most number of volunteers for the event in 2015.
The foundation has been conducting these annual cleanups in their depots since 2008.
The foundation also engages in other environmental initiatives such as tree planting activities and the adoption of a Philippine Eagle. Other core programs of the foundation are education, health, safety, and outreach.