More than 1,000 volunteers collected 2.5 metric tons of waste during simultaneous coastal and urban cleanups across Caraga Region, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-13) reported Friday.

The activity, part of the Month of Ocean and International Day for Biological Diversity on Thursday, covered 5.9 kilometers of shoreline and urban areas in five provinces.

“As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: Despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few,” the United Nations said in a statement.

“This involves respecting, protecting, and repairing our biological wealth.”

Volunteers filled 321 sacks with plastics, rubber, metal and other debris from Agusan del Norte to Dinagat Islands.

“This massive participation showed our communities’ commitment to protecting marine biodiversity,” DENR-13 Executive Director Hadja Didaw Piang-Brahim said in a news release.

The cleanup targeted critical habitats in Siargao’s island barangays and mainland river systems. (PNA)