October 14, 2025

BPI and Philippine Coast Guard volunteers navigate the Pasig River as part of a joint clean-up drive and disaster response initiative. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command (PCG MARSLEC), marked a milestone in disaster preparedness, environmental sustainability, and community resilience through its first-ever River Clean-Up Drive, at the Mexico Plaza Ferry Station, Intramuros.

The initiative brought together BPI leaders, Coast Guard officers, auxiliary groups, and employee-volunteers in a united effort to rehabilitate the Pasig River.

The activity also served as the first official sea trial of the rescue boats that BPI turned over to PCG MARSLEC earlier this month under a Memorandum of Agreement.

Through the combined efforts of BPI, PCG MARSLEC, the Coast Guard National Capital Region Central Luzon (CG NCRCL), PCGA 109th Squadron, and volunteers, the cleanup collected 200 sacks—equivalent to more than 10,000 kilograms of waste and debris. The collective action underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing both disaster readiness and environmental stewardship.

“These boats symbolize more than just preparedness for emergencies; they represent BPI’s commitment to protecting our communities and the environment,” said Dominador Bernales, Jr., BPI Chief Security Officer.

“By working with the Philippine Coast Guard, we ensure that our resources are managed by experts and put to effective use for both disaster response and sustainability initiatives like this river clean-up.”

Two rescue boats and support vessels were deployed along the Pasig River during the BPI and PCG’s river clean-up and boat launch activity. Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

The two boats, equipped with outboard motors, will be used for rescue operations, disaster response training, and environmental activities such as river and coastal cleanups. PCG MARSLEC will manage their safekeeping and operational readiness for three years, after which BPI will formally donate the boats.

Volunteers from BPI and the PCG collect waste from the Pasig River, reaffirming their shared commitment to environmental protection and community resilience. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

The cleanup highlighted strong collaboration across agencies and organizations. Volunteers from BPI’s Enterprise Operations and Human Resources Segments joined PCG units and auxiliaries in clearing river waste, while tugboats, safety marshals, Emergency Medical Team stations, and logistics support ensured smooth and safe execution.

In photo (L-R): PCG MARSLEC’s Capt. Leopoldo Apillanes, Jr., Chief of Staff; Capt. John Lyndon Baxinela, Acting DCS for Operations, M3; Commo Fideles Sallidao, Deputy Commander; and Radm Inocencio Rosario, Jr., Commander; with BPI’s Dominador Bernales, Jr., Chief Security Officer; Col. Nicolas Suemith, Physical Security Incident Management Head; and Leonido Gomez, Physical Security Technology Head. (Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard)

The partnership between BPI and PCG, first formalized through an MOU in April 2025, reflects the Bank’s alignment with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Manual of Regulations for Banks Section 147, which mandates effective security and emergency response measures. Beyond compliance, the initiative demonstrates BPI’s broader mission of building a better Philippines—one community at a time.