On March 25, 2022, the De La Salle University Br. Alfred Shields Ocean Research Center (SHORE) is launching the #EcoSquadGoals Competition called Pasig River Communities Against Plastic Pollution (PRCAPP) with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines and the City Government of Pasig.

The month-long competition will engage barangay youth groups and select home-owners associations to monitor plastic pollution in the Pasig River. The data collected by these groups will support rehabilitation studies of the river. 

The competition will start with a capacity building workshop to educate participants on the impact of plastic waste on the environment and vulnerable groups. It will also teach communities a practical approach to determining the types and approximate amount of plastic waste along the Pasig River. 

The groups will document their process for data collection. Based on their research, participating groups will develop project proposals to minimize or manage plastic waste in the river. The top three proposals will be awarded the Pasig River Grant, a seed fund to implement their projects. Special prizes will also be given for proposals that incorporate the empowerment of women and youth. 

The competition is part of #CircularPasig, a larger initiative of Pasig City and the UNDP Philippines, which envisions Pasig as a model circular city that adheres to economic growth that is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. 

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