Wells Fargo Volunteers Protect a Wetland Sanctuary Through Coastal Clean-Up

Parañaque, Philippines - August 24, 2026 - To protect one of Metro Manila’s last remaining critical wetland ecosystems from escalating waste threats, 188 volunteers from Wells Fargo partnered with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) on July 3, 2026, for a coastal clean-up at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP). The initiative directly targeted shoreline debris across the sanctuary to prevent habitat degradation and preserve the wetland’s vital flood-mitigation function for nearby communities.

Covering 181.63 hectares across Freedom Island and Long Island, LPPWP serves as a crucial haven for migratory birds and endemic species. Without sustained waste removal efforts, accumulated marine debris threatens to disrupt both the rich biodiversity of the sanctuary and the natural drainage capacity that buffers urban neighborhoods against flooding.

As the implementing NGO partner, ASSIST facilitated the ground coordination and educational framing for the project. The day began with an onsite briefing and biodiversity talk to orient volunteers on the ecological significance of the site, followed by the clean-up proper, where teams collected and sorted waste into categories, including single-use plastics, styrofoam, rubber, PET bottles, and glass, to support proper downstream disposal and recycling.

The coastal clean-up at LPPWP forms part of ongoing environmental CSR and partnership initiatives between ASSIST and private sector leaders aimed at strengthening coastal resilience, biodiversity conservation, and waste management action across vulnerable ecosystems in the Philippines.

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ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is a self-sustaining pan-Asian NGO working at the intersection of social impact and sustainable transformation. True to its role as a Partner for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to deliver co-created initiatives as well as award-winning flagship programs that convert social investments into lasting local capacity. Explore our work and partner with us: www.assistasia.org