Philippine Mayors Lead the Charge Against Marine Plastic Pollution

A new wave of environmental leadership is sweeping through the country’s coastal communities as Philippine mayors from five pilot sites officially united to combat marine plastic pollution. During the Mayors’ Conference on Reducing Marine Plastics held on October 22, 2025, city and municipal leaders from Bulan (Sorsogon), Calbayog City (Samar), Daanbantayan (Cebu), Dipolog City (Zamboanga del Norte), and Tandag City (Surigao del Sur) signed the Mayors’ Compact and key partnership agreements under the MOF/PEMSEA Marine Plastics ODA Project.

The signing marks a significant milestone in the country’s growing commitment to address the mounting challenge of plastic waste. Supported by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the initiative aims to implement science-based waste reduction systems and community-led interventions to prevent plastics from entering the seas.

At the conference, local chief executives underscored that the fight against marine litter starts with strong local governance. Through the Compact, they pledged to strengthen policies on waste segregation, recycling, and circular economy practices, while improving collection systems and engaging citizens in long-term behavioral change.

DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Atty. Jonas Leones called on LGUs to replicate successful solutions across regions. “Every piece of plastic we prevent from entering our seas protects a fisher’s livelihood, safeguards a community’s food supply, and preserves the beauty and bounty of our marine ecosystems for future generations,” he said.

PEMSEA Executive Director Aimee Gonzales echoed this message, emphasizing that local empowerment is key to achieving real impact. “We strongly believe that real change happens locally. Empowered mayors—backed by resources, information, and networks—can make a lasting impact not only in their communities but throughout the region,” she noted.

DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh added that the pilot sites will serve as models of innovation. “From Bulan to Tandag, each project demonstrates what is possible when leadership, community engagement, and science-based planning come together,” she said.

The Mayors’ Compact stands as a collective pledge to turn coastal resilience into reality—transforming the Philippines’ fight against marine plastics from policy into concrete local action, one community at a time.

Source: PEMSEA