SHOPPING malls in Olongapo City recently joined an international coastal clean-up drive.

SM City Olongapo Downtown and SM City Olongapo Central joined the Ocean Conservancy-International Coastal Clean-up (OC-ICC) 2019 which started 30 years ago in the United States of America.

The Olongapo-based SM Supermalls, led by its employees and agency personnel, participated in the coastal clean-up along the Kalaklan Lighthouse on September 28.

Participants from the SM Supermalls helped eliminate trash and debris along the coastline which contribute to pollution.

Other participants include representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines Olongapo chapter, local government units, business groups, 17 barangays, students and teachers.

According to OC-ICC, the most common types of garbage found on beaches include cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic straws, plastic bottle caps, styro foam and plastic beverage bottles.

SM Supermalls share the same advocacy with OC-ICC, through the SM Cares program on environment and volunteerism which works actively to safeguard natural ecosystems, provide information and educate the public on various environmental concerns and encourage community members to do their share in environment preservation.