Manila, Philippines, November 7, 2024— Chevron Philippines Inc, marketer of Caltex fuels and lubricants, Chevron Holdings Incorporated (CHI), Chevron’s global shared services organization based in the country, joined forces again with several partner organizations and volunteers to collect 239 sacks of trash, equivalent to 12 tons, along the coastline of San Pascual, Batangas for the annual Chevron Coastal Cleanup.
A total of 206 volunteers showed up along the 5-kilometer shoreline of Chevron Batangas terminal to help make the area a safe nesting ground for vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles. Chevron has been hosting the local San Pascual cleanup since 2007 and recorded a stark increase in hatchlings within two years. In fact, the number grew from 23 hatchlings in 2022 to 768 in 2024.
Batangas Terminal Manager Ray Año said that Chevron has remained loyal to this annual tradition as part of its larger mission to promote environmental stewardship, “It’s our social responsibility, and we encourage all our employees to partake in whatever efforts they can to help the environment.”
Arlita Narag, CHI Corporate Affairs Manager, said that the volunteers value the opportunity to help keep the coastline clean. “The cleanup is also a good reminder to be responsible with waste disposal, as this can ensure that less waste ends up in the oceans and on shorelines where they negatively impact marine life,” she added.
Chevron recognizes it cannot do these annual cleanups alone. Hence, it has fostered meaningful partnerships with the local government and other private companies over the years and enlisted their members as cleanup volunteers.
Charlene Constantino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Lipa said that the long-standing partnership of Chevron with the government for these coastal cleanups has truly benefited the Olive Ridley turtle population. She pointed out that this species’ unique trait is that the grown turtles return to their hatching grounds to lay their eggs. Hence, she invites more volunteers to join the future coastal cleanups to ensure that the species’ population will continue to grow.
Constantino added, “We’re looking forward na hindi lang sa libro makita ng next generations ang mga pawikan but for them to also have a firsthand encounter. [We look forward to the time when the next generations will not only see these turtles through a book but for them to also have a firsthand encounter.]”
The annual coastal cleanup is a testament to CPI’s continued commitment to making a safe habitat for sea creatures. Chevron also organizes regular tree-planting activities and hosts school seminars on practices such as waste segregation as part of its dedication to human safety, livelihood, and the environment.