Group photo of 30 volunteers participating in a coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activity in General Santos City, holding a banner for CMA CGM and ESI.
Volunteers from ESI and CMA CGM gather for a coastal cleanup and mangrove planting in General Santos City.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Endangered Species International (ESI) – Philippines, in partnership with global shipping company CMA CGM, led a coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activity last Saturday, September 20, along the shores of Zone 6, Barangay Bula in observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day, which coincided with World Cleanup Day 2025.

At around 6:30 AM, a group of about 30 volunteers gathered to collect trash under the morning heat, filling 12 to 14 sacks of assorted waste materials, mostly plastics and fabric believed to have been left behind by a demolished community in the area.

Volunteers participating in mangrove planting along the coastal area of Barangay Bula during International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Volunteers planting mangrove seedlings as part of a coastal rehabilitation effort in Barangay Bula.

Following the cleanup, Ms. Cheryl Galo, president of the Zone Six Small Fishermen Association (ZSSFA), conducted a short onsite lecture about the importance of mangroves in coastal protection and ecosystem health. ZSSFA is one of the people’s organizations at the forefront of rehabilitating the remaining mangrove forests within the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.

The group then planted 105 mangrove seedlings and installed net fencing around the site to act as a wave breaker and trash shield, improving the young mangroves’ survival rate. Once fully grown, these mangroves will serve as natural barriers that prevent land-based wastes from flowing into the sea.

Volunteers planting mangrove seedlings during the coastal cleanup initiative in Barangay Bula.
A volunteer participating in the coastal cleanup, removing debris from the beach during an event organized by Endangered Species International.
Volunteers participating in a mangrove planting activity, installing net fencing to protect newly planted seedlings.

The activity concluded with CMA CGM volunteers creating a cloth banner (avoiding plastic tarpaulin) and sharing a communal meal inside the mangrove forest.

Volunteers planting mangrove seedlings in a coastal area during a cleanup event, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Volunteers participating in a coastal cleanup and mangrove planting activity in Barangay Bula, General Santos City.
A group of volunteers in blue shirts participating in a mangrove planting activity in a muddy area, surrounded by mangrove trees.
Volunteers participating in mangrove planting and environmental restoration efforts in Barangay Bula.
Volunteers participating in a mangrove planting activity along the coastal area, with greenery and water visible in the background.
Volunteers planting mangrove seedlings as part of a coastal restoration initiative in Barangay Bula.

A nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, ESI has been operating in the region since 2010, working to restore ecosystems through collaboration with local partners. The group recently launched the ESI Roots Strong Project, an initiative designed to empower the mangrove community of Zone 6, Barangay Bula through training and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Group of five volunteers posing with trash bags filled with waste collected during a coastal cleanup activity.
Volunteers from Endangered Species International and CMA CGM participate in a coastal cleanup, collecting trash to protect the marine environment.
A group of volunteers participating in a coastal cleanup along the shore, wearing matching shirts and hats, collecting trash and cleaning the area under a clear sky.
Volunteers participating in a coastal cleanup event along the shores of Barangay Bula, General Santos City, in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Photos courtesy of Endangered Species International – Philippines

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