Beverage plastic bottle tops waste during the “Plogging for the Planet”

Iloilo City- Beverage plastic bottles topped the collected waste during the “Plogging for the Planet” activity led by the Regional Youth Desk of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 on March 31, 2026, at the Iloilo River Esplanade 1.

The number of beverage plastic bottles collected is 119 pieces, followed by other plastic bags with 93, food wrappers with 59, plastic cups and plates with 58, and foam cups and plates with 36. Some weird finds during the activity included a motorcycle helmet, a charger, and insulation foam. A total of 13 large trash bags with six hundred seventy-four (674) pieces of plastic waste, metals, and residuals were collected by the participants.

The DENR 6, through its Regional Youth Desk, conducted the “Plogging for the Planet” activity with the theme: Empowering Women and Youth Through Environmental Action. Plogging is an eco-friendly fitness trend that originated in Sweden sometime in 2016. It combines jogging or walking with litter pickup. The word “plogging” combines the Swedish phrase “plocka upp” (pick up) and “jogging.”

DENR 6 Assistant Regional Director for Management Services June Melissa C. Garol and Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Edgardo M. Rostata graced the activity.

In her message, ARD Garol reminded the DENR 6 employees to be disciplined and always practice the Clean As You Go (CLAY GO) mantra to promote cleanliness, responsibility, and mindfulness in shared spaces. In a similar vein, ARD Rostata pointed to plogging as a vital tool for environmental stewardship, reminding everyone that the simple act of retrieving plastic trash supports the broader sustainability of our surroundings and the well-being of the community.

The plogging activity served as a platform to highlight the critical role that women and youth play in climate advocacy and local conservation efforts. The DENR 6 aims to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious leaders who view the protection of natural resources as a lifestyle rather than a chore.

The collected wastes were properly turned over to the General Services Office of the Iloilo City government for disposal, ensuring that the Iloilo River Esplanade remains a clean landmark for locals and tourists alike./DENR 6