SM by the BAY to steer environmental consciousness through the International Coastal Cleanup
SM by the BAY and SM
Mall of Asia, in partnership with DENR-NCR, International Coastal Cleanup
Philippines, Pasay City CENRO, Philippine Coast Guard, the local government of
Pasay City, and SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime
Holdings, Inc., are set to hold the global celebration of the 34th
International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 21 to spread awareness in
keeping the coastline clean for generations to come.
To be held at the
Central Park of the bay area, inside the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City,
the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is one of the biggest events of SM by
the BAY, to support its advocacy in caring for the environment.
This year’s coastal
cleanup is expected to encourage thousands of volunteers to participate and
show their concern for the environment in cleaning the coastal stretch of the
SM by the BAY. Through the years, participantshave come from different sectors
of the society including students, firemen, policemen, teachers, athletes, SM
employees and many more.
Paired volunteers will
be assigned to different stations wherein one will serve as the collector and
other, the tabulator. Data collected will then be forwarded to Ocean Conservancy
for final tabulation.
The coastal cleanup
supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water, which
aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from
pollution, and safeguard them from all kinds of harmful land-based activities.
In fact, the 2019 ICC
Philippines poster includes a turtle entangled in fishing net, which was
inspired from an event last August 10, 2019, where a Green Sea Turtle was
rescued near the coast of Manila Bay. That image serves as a reminder on the
damaging effects if our activities are left unchecked and coasts are remain
unkempt.
“Each year, tons of garbage wind up in the oceans, with 60% being
composed of plastic material. These are very hazardous to marine life. Now more
than ever, the effects of climate change are seen and felt everywhere. We only
have one earth; let’s get involved in putting an end to marine pollution for
future generations,” said Perkin So, Senior Assistant Vice President of SM
Mall of Asia, who will lead the hundreds of SM volunteers for the cleanup.
Since 2015, SM By the BAY’s
regular coastal cleanup initiative has already collected 682,000 kilograms of
garbage, in more than 5,000 trash bags, and supported by close to 9,000
volunteers.
SM Cares is the
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Other
environment and sustainability programs of SM include SM by the BAY’s quarterly cleanup drive; Solar panel rooftop installations which promote the use of clean energy;
Water recycling treatment for all malls
wherein all recycled water is used back for non-potable and industrial needs;
the Automated Weather Stations; the monthly Trash-to-Cash Recycling Market;
and the Green Film Festival, to name
a few.
As a responsible member
of the community, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for
positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM
Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph,
www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares,
or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls.com.
Interested volunteers
may register at https://bit.ly/2YxuWyT.
To know more about the International
Coastal Cleanup, you may visit www.facebook.com/SMbytheBAY,
send an email to thesmbythebay@gmail.com,
or contact (02) 556-0364.
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