Kaluppâ Foundation: Strengthening Coastal Stewardship Through Shore It Up! Marinduque

Shore It Up! Marinduque united more than 600 volunteers, including 380 during the Maligaya cleanup alone, to protect the island’s coasts through marine conservation, community action, and youth engagement.

August 2025 | Province of Marinduque

In August 2025, Kaluppâ Foundation proudly joined the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) in launching the Shore It Up! program in Marinduque, an island recognized for its rich marine life, cultural heritage, and strategic location within the Verde Island Passage, the global center of marine biodiversity. For three days, nearly 600 volunteers from across sectors came together for a powerful convergence of marine protection, community education, and environmental action, marking a historic moment for coastal conservation in the province.

L-R: MarSU VP Marvin Plata; Kaluppa Foundation Executive Director Rafael Seño; MPIF President Melody del Rosario; Vice-Governor of the Province of Marinduque Hon. Romulo Bacorro, Jr.; and MarSU President Dr. Diosdado Zulueta present rashguards specially made for Shore It Up! Marinduque.

Underwater Assessment Cleanup

Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Marine Protection

The launch opened with a Memorandum of Understanding between MPIF and the Provincial Government of Marinduque, forging a partnership that will establish the Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation (MPIC) Guardians program across key coastal barangays. Twelve Marine Guardians will be trained and deployed to safeguard local marine ecosystems, equipped with technical training, uniforms, and operational support.

his long-term framework is further strengthened by commitments to mangrove conservation, improved monitoring systems, and strengthened coordination with government agencies. Plans for the turnover of a solid-waste shredding machine to Barangay Maligaya were also discussed, supporting the province’s efforts toward a circular, community-driven waste management approach.

Community Action: 559 Kilos of Waste Removed

As a local partner, Kaluppâ Foundation co-organized the Shore It Up Weekend: Coastal Cleanup sa Barangay Maligaya, mobilizing 380 volunteers from 41 agencies. In three hours, our collective efforts removed 559 kilos of coastal waste, including over a thousand plastic bottles, glass containers, footwear, packaging waste, textiles, and more.

Divers conducted simultaneous underwater cleanup operations, while community volunteers along the coastline saw firsthand how pollution impacts marine life and local food systems. The cleanup became a living demonstration of how united action can restore and protect our home waters.

SIU volunteers carefully weigh the plastic bottles collected during the coastal cleanup—turning collective action into measurable impact for our oceans.

A total of 559 kilos of waste collected during the Shore It Up! Marinduque coastal cleanup: proof of what communities can achieve when we work together for a cleaner, healthier environment.

Caring for Communities, Not Just Coastlines

To complement the environmental work, MPIF’s digital health platform mWell provided a two-day teleconsultation and free medical mission for residents—bridging health and environmental well-being.

Meanwhile, learning sessions brought together participants from Marinduque’s coastal communities to deepen their understanding of biodiversity, climate resilience, eco-tourism, and stewardship ethics, strengthening both knowledge and local leadership.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards

A highlight of the weekend was the activation of the Junior Environmental Scouts (JES) program, where more than 200 Grade 2 to 4 learners joined interactive sessions anchored on “Ang Kwento ni Jes.” With school supplies, workbooks, and creative activities like poster-making, the program nurtured environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility among the island’s youngest citizens.

For Kaluppâ, this youth-centered approach ensures that the work we begin today will grow into tomorrow’s leadership.

SIU Junior Environmental Scouts spent the day learning fun and practical ways to protect nature—drawing, listening, and taking part in hands‑on activities that inspire them to care for the Earth.

SIU Junior Environmental Scouts had a blast meeting Pawi the Pawikan! A fun and memorable day of learning about marine life and protecting our seas, one young eco-warrior at a time.

BUSINESS WORLD: Conservation at the heart of the Philippines: MPIF brings Shore It Up! to Marinduque and the Verde Island Passage

BusinessWorld recently featured the initiative, highlighting its focus on coastal cleanup, environmental education, and community partnerships with local government units, fisheries groups, and youth volunteers.

The article showcases the formal launch in Marinduque, the island’s inclusion in the Verde Island Passage conservation corridor, and the various activities implemented—from underwater cleanup dives to environmental camps for children. It also emphasizes MPIF’s commitment to protecting critical marine ecosystems and empowering communities to actively take part in long-term coastal stewardship.

This feature underscores how collective action, strong partnerships, and sustained environmental programs can meaningfully safeguard one of the Philippines’ most biodiverse marine regions.

Read the full story.

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