MONTH OF THE OCEAN 2025
“Unlock Ocean-Based Solutions to Climate Change”
The Month of the Ocean (MOO) is an annual observance in the Philippines, celebrated every May to raise awareness about the significance of marine conservation and sustainable ocean management. Established through Presidential Proclamation No. 57, s. 1998, this event highlights the country’s rich marine biodiversity and the critical role that oceans play in supporting livelihoods, ensuring food security, and maintaining ecological balance.
In line with this celebration, the Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section of the Conservation and Development Division (CDD-CRFMS) at DENR-X Regional Office initiated various activities throughout May.
A. Preparatory Meeting for the Simultaneous Coastal Cleanup in Cagayan de Oro City
On May 13, 2025, the CDD-CRFMS held a preparatory meeting for the coastal cleanup event in Cagayan de Oro City. This meeting aimed to brief participants on the details of the forthcoming activity. A total of 38 individuals attended, consisting of 25 males and 13 females, representing the coastal barangays of Cagayan de Oro City, DENR-X Offices, various agencies, organizations, and private sectors.
The Assistant Chief of the Conservation and Development Division and concurrent Chief of the Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section, For. Mercedita G. Barbarona shared the rationale of the meeting which emphasizes each participant’s role for the upcoming cleanup activity. She also presented the lined-up activities to be conducted for the ocean month celebration.
During the meeting, ARD Ronald D. Gadot, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services extended his grateful appreciation to all participants who shared their time in attending the said meeting. In his message, he emphasized that the cleanup initiative is not just about cleaning up the shores, but it is a powerful statement of each individual’s commitment in protecting marine ecosystems and addressing climate change at a local level. He urged to look beyond the cleanup itself and explore ways to make the coastal areas more resilient to climate change through which sustainable waste management practices, restoration of marine habitats, and advocating for stronger environmental policies are just few avenues to extend such efforts.
Through this preparatory meeting, the list of Barangay focal persons was identified and updated, along with the designated office and contact persons from DENR to assist other participants for the event. Additionally, cleanup protocols and instructions for completing the trash data forms were discussed, and participants’ questions and clarifications were addressed.
As part of the agreements reached, a follow-up email will be sent to all invited participants. This email will include an updated list of contact persons for each barangay, the cleanup protocol, guidelines for utilizing the Month of the Ocean IEC materials and designs, as well as the trash data forms.
The City Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reiterated its support by committing to issue a memorandum to the upland barangays of Cagayan de Oro City, encouraging their participation in the upcoming cleanup initiative. Furthermore, the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) has pledged to support this initiative by mobilizing resources and personnel, particularly for the disposal of collected waste.
B. IEC during Monday Convocation
On May 19, 2025, the CRFMS was assigned to host the DENR-X Monday Convocation. The CRFMS Staff led by For. Mercedita G. Barbarona together with some CDD personnel presented a unique Human Resource Intervention through a dance performance portraying the upcoming coastal cleanup. The message of the said presentation was to encourage the participation of the DENR employees in the upcoming coastal cleanup. The group that was dubbed as the CDD Ocean Trash Warriors, performed to the tune of the song titled “Month of the Ocean”, featuring lyrics originally composed by Ms. Eden Marie F. Gamos, CRFMS Staff. Parts of the lyrics was crafted based on the cleanup protocol, to remind the participants of their roles and responsibilities during the event.
Following the said performance, For. Barbarona rendered a short talk about the Month of the Ocean celebration, highlighting the the significance of the coastal and marine resources particularly in combating the effects of climate change. She also reminded the participants especially the designated Cleanup Focal Persons from the various Divisions of the DENR-X Regional Office, and from the Environmental Management Bureau, and Mines and Sciences Bureau of their specific tasks.
C. Environmental Symposium
In celebration of the Month of the Ocean and the International Day for Biological Diversity, the DENR–X in collaboration with the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG), organized an Environmental Symposium conducted on May 22, 2025, at the covered court of Barangay 40 in Cagayan de Oro City with the participation of the SK members of the barangay. The event aimed to raise awareness and educate the youth about the causes and effects of climate change, the importance of proper waste segregation, and effective strategies for adapting to and mitigating environmental challenges.
A total of 57 youth participants from Barangay 40 attended the symposium, which included officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). The event received full support from the Barangay 40 Council, led by Chairman Yam Lam “Alam” Lim, along with councilors Burgos S. Macasero, Ronald V. Redoble, Mildred N. Taladua, Cecilio B. Nacalaban, Kirk A. Rodriguez, Soxy P. Esma, and Arthur C. Martinez.
The symposium featured a series of informative lectures presented by resource persons from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)–Environmental Management Bureau X, DENR X–Enforcement Division, and the Conservation and Development Division (CDD). The topics discussed included:
- Ecological Solid Waste Management presented by Ms. Chiara Bernadeth Patriana, Environmental Monitoring Officer of EMB-X.
- Overview of Philippine Biodiversity by For. Paulyn Mae S. Laranjo, EnP, DMO II of the DENR X Enforcement Division.
- The Importance of Oceans and the Month of the Ocean Celebration delivered by For. Mercedita G. Barbarona, Assistant Chief of the Conservation and Development Division and concurrent Chief of CRFMS.
The Environmental Symposium achieved its goal of educating and empowering the youth on pressing environmental concerns. The active engagement and participation of the attendees reflected their genuine interest in environmental advocacy. The DENR-X, through RSCIG, reaffirms its commitment to continuing IEC efforts that inspire proactive involvement of communities—especially the youth—in protecting biodiversity and promoting environmental sustainability.
D. Simultaneous Coastal Cleanup
On May 23, 2025, a simultaneous coastal cleanup was conducted across the twelve coastal barangays of Cagayan de Oro City, organized by the Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section of the DENR-X Regional Office. The cleanup event was conducted annually since 2019 except in years 2020-2021 during the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19. Since then, various organizations, including National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, academic institutions, private sector entities, youth and women’s groups, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and community organizations, were invited to participate in the event. The involvement of the upland Barangay Local Government Units from Cagayan de Oro City was facilitated through collaboration with the City Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which mandated the active participation of several upland barangays in the cleanup initiative.
During the short program that was held in Brgy. Lapasan, the Assistant Regional Director for Management Services shared a message in behalf of the DENR-X Regional Director Henry A. Adornado. In her message, she extended her great appreciation and gratitude to all participants, particularly acknowledging the Barangay Local Government Unit of Lapasan for their unwavering support of DENR-led initiatives. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of promoting and facilitating sustainable practices for environmental preservation.
She underscored that the management of ocean and marine resources is a collective responsibility shared among various stakeholders. Furthermore, she recommended that the BLGU Lapasan install garbage bins along the coastal road, which has evolved into a recreational area, in order to discourage littering and prevent waste from being discarded into the nearby ocean.
For. Mercedita G. Barbarona further elaborated the rationale behind the Month of the Ocean celebration. She highlighted that the coastal cleanup initiative in Brgy. Lapasan has been ongoing for several years, with the DENR consistently conducting this activity to reduce wastes ends up the ocean. Additionally, the DENR has implemented other initiatives, such as the installation of a Trash Trap at the Bitan-ag Bridge, designed to capture and minimize waste before it reaches the ocean. Unfortunately, this installation was recently damaged due to severe flooding. Nevertheless, For. Barbarona remains optimistic about the behavioral changes the DENR advocates concerning solid waste management.
The short program concluded with a “Month of the Ocean” dance, led by For. Benito P. Moreno IV and For. Eden Marie F. Gamos. The participants enthusiastically participated in the dance before they finally headed to the cleanup site.
A total of 2,053 (791 male, 1,237 female, and 25 LGBTQIA+) volunteers joined the cleanup event, resulting to the collection of 7,829 kilograms of waste with 722 sacks filled, in a 13.1 km coastal stretch in Cagayan de Oro City. The collected debris was analyzed and sorted, providing valuable data on the types of waste most commonly found in the area. Plastic beverage bottles topped among other plastic wastes that landed in the top five of the most collected items. This information will aid future initiatives and educational campaigns aimed at reducing plastic waste at the source. Cigarette butts land in the top six which is also concerning, considering their pervasive impact on the environment. Despite their small size, cigarette butts contain harmful chemicals that can contaminate the water and pose a risk to many forms of marine life. The data gathered from the cleanup will support the DENR and local partners in crafting more targeted interventions to address these specific waste challenges.
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E. Underwater Cleanup and Monitoring of the Coral Rehabilitation Site
As part of the culminating activity for the month-long celebration of the Month of the Ocean, the CRFMS team conducted an underwater cleanup at the designated ecotourism zone of Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape (BPLS) in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental on May 29, 2025. The results disclosed an insignificant amount of marine litters/trash present in the said ecotourism zone, with only a few items, including some clothing and a hair tie, collected.
The established coral rehabilitation site was also visited by the team together with the PAMO Staff of the BPLS. Generally, the planted coral nubbins have increased in biomass due to coral recruits. Further, the team visited the floating monitoring station of BPLS and was amazed of the biodiversity indicator observed wherein the monitoring bamboo raft has turned into a safe habitat of the sea snakes.
The team also visited the PO NAKASINATI located in Brgy. Misom, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental, and interviewed the PO President regarding the current status of their mud crab fattening enterprise. The major issue observed was the insufficient technical expertise of the PO in mudcrab raising. The PO revealed that all the mother mud crabs purchased for raising in their production area failed to survive – they consistently died once brought to the ground. Consequently, the PO is currently limited to raising only young crabs for fattening purposes.
