Reported by Jick L. Acupan and Prince Nico U. Geolaga
Dugong Synergies marks the most dynamic phase of Project Dugong, where participants transition from learning to leading after completing the E-SEAssions and Planet D activities. Now in the implementation stage, youth teams brought their ideas to life through a collaboration-centered approach that united diverse communities and partners toward a shared goal: addressing marine plastic debris from the Buayan–Malungon River Basin to the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.
Through this collective effort, individual strengths and local insights converged into a harmonized movement known as Dugong Synergies—a growing network of young leaders working together to create tangible, community-rooted, and lasting environmental impact.
Key takeaways
- Every community needs a different solution.
Across seven municipalities, youth groups discovered that plastic pollution manifests in various forms—such as reliance on single-use plastics, improper waste disposal, clogged waterways, coastal litter, and limited environmental awareness. Through Dugong Synergies, participants learned that no single intervention fits all communities. Effective action requires listening, observing, and grounding initiatives in local habits, culture, and environmental realities.
- Small but consistent actions create meaningful impact when done collectively.
From repurposing plastics into bins and organizing shoreline clean-ups, to conducting workshops, strengthening faith-based environmental values, and promoting plastic-free habits, participants realized that simple actions become powerful when sustained through teamwork. Even small-scale efforts sparked awareness, influenced behavior, and strengthened community participation.
- Collaboration strengthens leadership and expands environmental influence.
During the implementation phase, participants learned that they are not only project leaders but also bridge-builders. By working with barangays, schools, youth volunteers, faith leaders, LGUs, and local partners, they saw how collaboration builds trust, expands reach, and ensures more sustainable and lasting impact. Dugong Synergies reinforced that effective environmental leadership thrives in cooperation and working with communities, not just for them.
Main highlights
October 1, 2025 to November 9, 2025
Community-based Dugong Synergies
Team Projico and Volunteers
Participants: 872 onsite participants
Activities implemented
Dugong Synergies brought together seven youth groups from across Sarangani Province, all driven by a shared mission to address marine plastic pollution through community-centered action. After completing the E-SEAssions and Planet D phases, participants entered the implementation stage, transforming their learnings into concrete solutions tailored to their respective municipalities.
Each project reflected creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. While approaches varied, every initiative contributed to a collective effort to protect Sarangani Bay and its ecosystems.
Team Balikalikasan: Walang Plastikan!: An Environmental Action Against Single-Use Plastics
Team Balikalikasan addressed the persistent issue of single-use plastic dependency in Malungon by launching “Walang Plastikan!: An Environmental Action Against Single-Use Plastics” where they bring environmental education and youth action in creating a cleaner, healthier, and greener world. Their activities consisted of three phases: (1) Series of In-person IECs in five Barangays of Malungon; (2) On-site policy implementation and environmental actions in their respective communities; (3) Evaluation and awarding of Environmental excellence. This, with a goal to train Mal’ngan youth to be Eco-champions and empower them to influence their communities’ transition into eco-friendly places.
The activity was participated by the SSLG of Malungon National High School (5), The Young Entrepreneurs Society of MNHS (5), Youth for Environment in Schools Organization – MNHS (5), Mathematics and Research Society – MNHS (5), SSLG of Pablo Omerez Cedeno Memorial Learning Center Inc. (10), SSLG of Malungon Christian Learning Center Inc. (5), and Local Youth Volunteers (5).
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/4nqVNTJ
Team BaliKalikasan Implementation
Team Urchin: KALINAW: Kiamba Against Litter
Team Urchin focused on the recurring problem of waste-clogged waterways in Kiamba through their project KALINAW: Kiamba Against Litter. By organizing community clean-ups, promoting waste segregation, and engaging households in proper disposal practices, they tackled the root causes of flooding and water pollution last October 31, 2025 at Purok Gumamela, Tabuk, Poblacion, Kiamba. Their activities was comprised of two phases: (1) Symposium and Video viewing which participants was shown multiple videos of the impacts of Marine plastic debris in the Environment, highlighting the 3R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle); (2) Canal clean-up activity which they collected and properly segregated litters from local waterways.
The activity was participated by Poblacion Kiamba Youth including SSLG of Kiamba National High School (10), Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Officers (7), Youth for Environment in Schools Organization – KNHS (4), James L. Chiongbian National Trade Shools Students (2), and Volunteers (15).
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/4qt9cxc
Team Urchin Implementation
Team SeaDivas: S.E.A. Changes: A Clean up Drive and WABA Activity
Team SeaDivas combined education with action by conducting seminars on waste management and leading coastal clean-ups in their community entitled “S.E.A. Changes: A Clean up Drive and WABA Activity” conducted last October 25, 2025. They emphasized the link between everyday waste behaviors and marine degradation, encouraging younger generations to practice responsible disposal through environmental education and clean-ups.
In this activity, their participants gained harmful effects of plastic waste through a brief lecture conducted by one of their teammates, Lawrence Jay O. Canono. Also, this activity strengthened community involvement and teamwork which allowed the participants to have a sense of unity and environmental stewardship even after the devastating flash flood in the area. Lastly, the participants became aware of conducting waste and brand audit, which brought new insights and ideas to participants on how to meaningfully conduct a clean-up drive.
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/47NOpPC
Team SeaDivas implementation
Team Saccampi: Project SACCAAYO (SACCA Angie-Uno Youth Organization)
Team Saccampi centered their efforts on raising awareness of proper waste disposal and mobilizing youth for collective action entitled “Project SACCAAYO [SACCA Angie-Uno Youth Organization” Through community clean-ups and short educational sessions, they highlighted how littering affects both people and marine life conducted last October 31, 2025. This with 2 phases: (1) The turnover ceremony, community clean-up, and team-building activity. (2) The recurring phase consists of a series of activities such as tree planting, tree bagging, and cleanup drive along Spring-Kawas diversion road in partnership with SACCA and Angie-uno Youth Organization.
In this activity, they were able to kickstart the project SACCAAYO through a short community program and turn-over, supporting the pre-existing regular environmental initiatives of Angie Uno Youth, providing 200 pieces of medium-sized trash bags, 15 pieces modern trash pickers, and 40 pieces tree seedlings to be planted. Aside from that, the team provided 500 pieces of seedlings bags for an income-generating project agreement with PlantPlant Forestry Support Services. Their first phase activity was participated by 40 individuals under the Angie-Uno Community.
Their project emphasized that even simple, consistent actions such as picking up trash or segregating waste, contribute to a healthier community and environment.
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/3Jpt3Ng
Team Saccampi implementation
Team Bantayog: Edu-Action Kalikasan: Living Faith, Saving Seas
Team Bantayog brought a unique perspective by integrating faith and environmental stewardship through their initiative connecting biblical, Islamic, and indigenous teachings to ecological responsibility entitled “Edu-Action Kalikasan: Living Faith, Saving Seas” conducted starting October 25, 2025 – November 7, 2025. Consisting five major phases: (1) The team conducted Coastal Clean-up at Barangay Poblacion last October 25, 2025 with 51 volunteers; (2) Edu-Action Kalikasan Radio Campaign that can be heard on Radyo Kasaganaan 99.7 FM in Barangay Malalag that reached more than 5,000 views/listeners; (3) Official establishment of Team Bantayog, recognized under the Youth Organization Registration Program (YORP) by the National Youth Commission with 54 committed youth leaders as founding members; (4) Conduct of Edu-Action Kalikasan sharing and coastal clean-up at Barangay Mindupok that gathered 350 youth and community members; lastly, (5) Edu-Action Kalikasan Youth Environmental Camp held last November 6-7, 2025 at Barangay Kiambing, hailed as the first Youth Environmental Camp in the Municipality that gathered 200 participants joining two-day environmental learning, leadership formation, and faith-based stewardship activities.
The activities were participated by a total of 655 participants with an on-site and radio reach totalling to 5,655. These set of activities were participated in and in partnership with Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office – LUG Maitum, Philippine Coast Guard, SK Federation, Barangay Council of Old Poblacion, Mindupok, and Kiambing, Malalag National High School, Notre Dame of maitum, Women’s Alliance for Security and Peace, and Radyo Kasaganaan 99.7 Fm. Their approach demonstrated that aligning environmental action with personal beliefs fosters lasting commitment to protecting the Earth.
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/47tUUDS
Team Bantayog implementation
Team Malahluntian: Binlikha: Ang Basurang Plastik ay May Buhay Pa
Team Malahluntian showcased creativity through Binlikha: Ang Basurang Plastik ay May Buhay Pa (Plastic Waste Remains), where they repurposed plastic waste into functional recycling bins for community use. This was conducted last October 24-25, 2025 at Barangay Lun Padidu, Malapatan. The activity comprises two phases: (1) The coastal clean-up and collection of materials for the bins; and (2) Creation and Installation of trash bins made from the recycled plastics.
The activity was participated in by 16 youths coming from Lun Padido National High School. Their project encouraged waste segregation and highlighted the potential of upcycling in reducing plastic pollution. Through simple yet impactful innovation, they turned discarded materials into valuable tools for environmental management.
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/49kwXl2
Team Malahluntian implementation
Team Nautica: BASA Program (Barangay Action for Shoreline and Aqualife)
Team Nautica addressed shoreline litter and declining environmental awareness through the BASA Program (Barangay Action for Shoreline and Aqualife) conducted last October 12 and October 25, 2025. They led coastal clean-ups and conducted educational sessions emphasizing that environmental care is a daily responsibility. Their activity was comprised of two phases: (1) Clean-up drive at Logpond, Barangay Poblacion, Glan last October 12, 2025; and (2) Mangrove Planting at Barangay Padidu, Glan last October 25, 2025.
Team Nautica’s activity gathered a total of 73 volunteers, with 27 on the first phase and 46 on the second phase. This activity was in partnership with Glan SARCCO, LGU Glan, CENRO, Office of the Municipal Mayor, and Glan Junior Officials, with participants coming from Youth for Environment in Schools Organization and Youth Volunteers. By speaking directly to youth and community members, they cultivated a culture of stewardship that extends beyond one-time activities.
Updates and Movement of the group through this link: https://bit.ly/49kwXl2
Team Nautica implementation
Together, the seven groups demonstrated the power of youth-driven, community-rooted solutions in combating marine plastic pollution. Their diverse strategies (ranging from education, faith-based engagement, innovation, and hands-on clean-ups) reflect the richness of local perspectives across Sarangani. Through Dugong Synergies, they proved that when young leaders unite with purpose, creativity, and compassion, meaningful change for the environment becomes not only possible but inevitable.
Outcome
The Dugong Synergies successfully supported and ignited the leadership and environmental stewardess of the participating teams. With teams being able to successfully implement their projects beyond expectations. Meanwhile, a notable accomplishment from Team Bantayog, which started with just a small team, turned to be a community-based organization that has been registered to the Youth Organizations Registration Program (YORP) of NYC with over 70 founding members. All teams maximized partnership with community organizations and school-based organizations that helped them realize their goals.
