In celebration of World Oceans Day 2025, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, is once again taking the lead in rallying thousands of volunteers nationwide for its annual Coastal Cleanup Drive on June 7, 2025. With this year’s theme, “WONDER: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” the initiative seeks to highlight the indispensable role of our oceans in sustaining life—and more importantly, our shared duty to safeguard them.
The cleanup will be held simultaneously across several coastal locations in the country and brings together a broad coalition of partners: local government units, environmental organizations, NGOs, community groups, SM employees, janitorial and security staff, and other affiliates. It is part of SM’s ongoing environmental commitment under the #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign, which also features recycling markets, e-waste disposal drives, and plastic waste reduction activities throughout the year.
Not Just a Day, But a Movement
While SM by the Bay has already been hosting weekly cleanups, the World Oceans Day Coastal Cleanup marks a major nationwide push—and one of three large-scale cleanups SM Cares has planned for 2025. According to Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Cares Program Director for the Environment, the initiative goes beyond picking up litter:
“As part of our commitment to the environment, we believe in community action to protect our oceans and waterways. Ultimately, we want to raise overall awareness on marine pollution, contribute to preserving biodiversity, and help in inspiring responsible waste management practices among Filipinos. The World Oceans Day Coastal Cleanup is more than just a one-day event—it’s part of our ongoing pledge to build a better, cleaner world.”
Participating Malls and Cleanup Sites
Volunteers will be mobilized from the following SM malls and communities:
- NCR: SM by the BAY (cleanup site), SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa
- South Luzon: SM City Rosario, SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa, SM City Lucena, SM City Tanza
- North & Central Luzon: SM Center Dagupan
- Visayas: SM City Bacolod, SM City Iloilo
- Mindanao: SM City Davao, SM CDO, SM CDO Downtown
Responsibility Starts With Us
Efforts like these remind us of a hard truth: If only every citizen were responsible enough, such massive cleanups would not be necessary. Our coastlines wouldn’t be choked with plastic and our seas wouldn’t suffer under the weight of waste. While the initiatives led by the private sector, like SM Cares, are a powerful step in the right direction, it is ultimately the day-to-day decisions of ordinary people that determine the health of our environment.
Every piece of trash picked up on June 7 is a story of both neglect and redemption. But it shouldn’t take a special occasion for us to act. Keeping our oceans clean should be a daily commitment, not a once-a-year affair.
Join the Movement
Make your mark this World Oceans Day. Sign up now through the SM Malls Online App:
🔗 https://click.smmallsonline.com/DFqS/SMCOASTALCLEANUP2025
Stay updated via the official social media pages of participating SM malls for schedules and site-specific details.
Let’s honor the oceans that sustain us by doing our part to protect them—today and every day. After all, a cleaner future starts not with big gestures, but with the simple act of taking responsibility.