Puerto Princesa Rallies International and Local Partners to Intensify Marine Plastic Cleanup Strategy
A high-level assembly of international and local partners convened in Puerto Princesa City to mark World Ocean Day, formalizing a unified, data-driven strategy aimed at mitigating marine plastic pollution across its critical coastal areas. The initiative is being spearheaded locally by Project Zacchaeus (PZC) and its flagship Eco Kolek program.
Mitchell Gimena
PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN—A high-level assembly of international and local partners convened in Puerto Princesa City to mark World Ocean Day, formalizing a unified, data-driven strategy aimed at mitigating marine plastic pollution across its critical coastal areas. The initiative is being spearheaded locally by Project Zacchaeus (PZC) and its flagship Eco Kolek program.
The concerted action underscores a commitment from the city to align grassroots efforts with institutional support, creating a robust model for environmental governance and community empowerment.
Strategic Alignment and Policy Support
The day commenced with a critical strategy session hosted at the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO). Attendees included delegates from the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the Korean Embassy, and researchers from the Palawan State University’s Beach Monitoring Team.
Discussions focused heavily on integrating data-driven approaches into marine plastic reduction and developing innovative, community-based solutions for behavior change. This strategic meeting was immediately followed by a courtesy visit to Mayor Lucilo Bayron, where the proposed Marine Plastic Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project was formally presented. The Mayor’s expressed backing provides crucial institutional endorsement for the transition to grassroots-led, sustainable environmental innovation.
Showcasing the Circular Economy Model
Following the policy discussions, participants embarked on a tour of key waste management sites demonstrating the city's holistic approach to solid waste management:
City Sanitary Landfill: Providing insight into the scale and complexity of the city’s waste disposal challenges.
Local Junkshop: Highlighting the traditional value chain of recyclables.
Circular Economy Learning Hub: The tour culminated at this hub—an upcycled structure developed through a collaborative effort between USAID Clean Cities Blue Ocean (CCBO), City ENRO, and Barangay Sicsican.
At the Learning Hub, empowered Eco-Warriors showcased how discarded materials are processed, transforming collected waste into viable livelihood opportunities. This site effectively illustrates how international support is translated into tangible, sustainable economic and environmental benefits at the community level.
The World Ocean Day activities emphasized a clear message: that sustained, lasting change in marine conservation is achieved when local communities, governmental leaders, and international partners are strategically aligned under a shared vision for a plastic-free future.
