FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SURFACE TO SEAFLOOR™ MOBILIZES 300+ VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE OF CALATAGAN’S LARGEST COORDINATED MARINE PROTECTED AREA CLEAN-UPS

Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Calatagan and St. Michael Health & Wellness Center lead simultaneous clean-ups across three Marine Protected Areas

CALATAGAN, BATANGAS — September 18, 2026 — More than 300 volunteers are expected to mobilize across Calatagan on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for the SURFACE TO SEAFLOOR™ Marine Protected Area Clean-Up, one of the municipality’s largest coordinated marine clean-up efforts.

Led by the Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Calatagan and St. Michael Health & Wellness Center Corp., the initiative brings together government agencies, coastal communities, fisherfolk, schools, NGOs, civic organizations, women’s organizations, and private-sector partners in observance of World Cleanup Day.

CLEAN-UP DETAILS

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Locations: Marine Protected Areas in Barangay Sta. Ana, Barangay Tanagan, and Barangay Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas
Primary Site: Sitio Calumbayan Marine Protected Area, Barangay Sta. Ana
Registration & Staging Area: Calumbayan Elementary School

Clean-up activities will take place simultaneously across the three Marine Protected Areas, demonstrating the scale of what can be accomplished through coordinated community action.

Calatagan has a significant network of protected coastal and marine areas, with 12 designated Marine Protected Areas, seven of which are currently active, giving the municipality the largest number of Marine Protected Areas in Batangas.

A COMMUNITY-WIDE CONSERVATION EFFORT

The clean-up represents a broad collaboration involving government agencies, barangays, MFARMC and BFARMC, fisherfolk organizations, NGOs and civic organizations, students and schools, women’s organizations, private-sector partners, environmental advocates, and community volunteers.

Local residents and fisherfolk have played an especially important role in preparing the sites, mobilizing volunteers, improving access, and supporting logistics for Saturday’s activities.

The initiative recognizes that protecting Marine Protected Areas goes beyond removing trash. Healthy marine ecosystems are directly connected to biodiversity, fisheries, food security, fisherfolk livelihoods, coastal resilience, and opportunities for responsible ecotourism.

The private sector is also contributing significant resources to the effort. Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation (CPF) is among the major partners, providing more than 300 sacks and 30 plastic drums for waste collection, together with clean-up tools and volunteer snacks for the Bataha clean-up site.

SURFACE TO SEAFLOOR™ demonstrates the power of shared responsibility—bringing government, communities, fisherfolk, students, civil society, and businesses together to protect Calatagan’s marine resources for future generations.

Protect our seas. Strengthen our communities. Preserve our livelihood.

MEDIA CONTACT

Cecilia Ramirez
President & CEO
St. Michael Health & Wellness Center Corp.
Calatagan, Batangas
WhatsApp / Viber: +63 961 697 9880