Written by BAS-AWAN, Melmar Joy T. & DIO-AS, Azy D.
Hooray, once more! The Politis Organization held a successful plogging and team-building activity on January 17, 2026, at the Scout Barrio Football Field, uniting members around environmental stewardship and teamwork.
While most were still tucked away in bed, members of the Politis Organization and STELA Community Outreach Coordinator Mr. Norman Patiang were already out in force for the plogging activity, proving that taking care of the environment can also be combined with a workout. Under the theme “Building Camaraderies through Environmental Stewardship,” the event kicked off at 6:00 AM with a plogging session. Armed with gloves and determination, students transformed their morning jog into a mission. Scouring the streets for litter, the student-members had collected more than 10 full bags of trash. This wasn’t just about the volume of trash collected; it was about the shared heavy lifting, both literal and figurative.
As the groups arrived at the main venue, sweaty but smiling, the transition from “plogging” to “team building” felt natural. To make the activity more meaningful, the fourth year political science majors conducted a sound of litter picking within the vicinity of Scout Bario for providing the venue for teambuilding activity. Conducting this activity is a support to the Program Outcomes of Political Science students who should “exhibit personal and civic responsibilities relevant to public service”, “to instill to others responsible citizenship in a democratic society”, and sustain effective expression and dissemination of ideas in community development activities.”
Following the plogging activities was the teambuilding. Participants were grouped into teams who delivered their cheers and yells, testing their sharpness and creativity. The officers facilitated various games for the team-building activity, stimulating their strategic minds and quick thinking. Their determination to win bridged the gap between individual effort and collective success. Apart from these, the year-level presentations revealed the talents of the Political Science students, showcasing their dancing finesse and singing abilities.
The seamless execution of the day was a testament to the behind-the-scenes efforts of the student organization officers, whose collaborative planning turned a challenge into a bonding experience. The event ended with a blast, concluding the team-building activity with the announcement of winners and a photo documentation, sealing the tumultuous event in a memory worth keeping.
The activity aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The plogging activity promotes physical health and wellness while encouraging environmental responsibility among participants.
The clean-up efforts contribute to maintaining cleaner and more sustainable communities, while fostering awareness of environmental protection and climate action. Moreover, the collaboration among students, faculty, and the local community highlights the importance of partnerships in achieving shared sustainability goals.
