Caltex has marked the 20th year of its coastal cleanup initiative in San Pascual, Batangas, with nearly four tons of waste collected along a 5-km stretch of shoreline ahead of the annual sea turtle nesting season.
A total of 293 volunteers participated in the September activity, representing Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), Chevron Global Business Services (GBS) Manila, the San Pascual Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and the Office of the Mayor of San Pascual.
The volunteers collected 3,850 kilograms of garbage, filling 397 sacks as they cleared the coastline near the Caltex San Pascual terminal. The effort was completed ahead of the nesting season, which runs from October to March.
The cleanup is particularly important for Olive Ridley sea turtles, locally known as pawikan, which return to the area to lay their eggs. Waste and other debris can prevent female turtles from reaching suitable nesting grounds and potentially trap hatchlings attempting to make their way to the sea.
The initiative has also coincided with the release of thousands of hatchlings over the years. According to Caltex, the number of hatchlings recorded along the terminal’s shoreline increased from 23 in 2022 to 768 in 2024, before reaching 146 in 2025. As of January 2026, a total of 4,261 hatchlings had been released into the sea from the area.
San Pascual MENRO Environmental Management Specialist 1 Jucylita Garcia said the annual activity also serves as a reminder for residents to follow proper solid waste management practices, noting that improperly discarded rubbish can eventually reach coastal areas and threaten marine life.
Batangas Terminal Manager Raymund Año likewise emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, pointing out that waste originating from different locations can eventually accumulate along the shoreline.
After collection, the rubbish will be sorted for recycling, sent to landfills or disposed of safely. DENR-trained guards will also monitor the cleared area and cordon off designated nesting grounds.
Caltex General Manager and Country Chairman Pongtorn “Bon” Tangmanuswong thanked the volunteers and partner organizations for their continued participation.
Now in its 20th year, the coastal cleanup remains among Caltex’s socio-civic initiatives, combining environmental protection with community involvement and volunteerism.
Autocar’s Take
Caltex’s 20-year coastal cleanup initiative is a worthwhile reminder that environmental protection requires consistency, not just occasional campaigns. Collecting nearly four tons of waste is a substantial effort, but the more interesting figure is the 4,261 sea turtle hatchlings released into the sea since the initiative began. While the cleanup alone cannot guarantee their survival, keeping nesting grounds clear is a practical step toward protecting them. The involvement of local government offices and community volunteers also deserves recognition. In the grand scale of things, coastal conservation works best when businesses and residents treat it as a shared responsibility.
