Participation in National Clean-up Month sought

18 August 2021 – The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, encouraged residents, non-government organizations (NGOs), the academe to take part in this year of the National cleanup Month every September and the National Clean-up Day every third Saturday of September to sustain the gains of the city government in the cleanliness campaign.

In a resolution, local legislators stated that by participating in the National Clean-up Day, people help ensure the cleanliness in the city that will help in preventing plastic waste from polluting the coastal waters and other major river systems in the locality.

Earlier, the local government had adopted a policy of revitalizing the environment where the city will take the lead in efforts to intensify environmental protection, preservation, conservation and replenishment of dwindling resources.

Further, the city will craft and execute long-term solutions that will ensure the provision of the most appropriate solid and liquid waste management at the least possible expense and as such, the local legislative body encouraged the residents, NGOs, academe and the private sector to take active part in this year’s National Clean-up Day on September 18, 2021.

International coastal cleanup is the largest volunteer effort for oceans health where people around the world gather on beaches, coasts, rivers, waterways and underwater dive sites to remove trash and record information on the debris collected.

The results of this activity will aid in better waste management policies or plans, product packaging, designs and stirring environmental consciousness among the people.

The upcoming World Clean-up Day on September 18, 2021 will unite more than 20 million people in some 180 countries where on that day, volunteers and partners worldwide will come together again to rid the planet of trash, thus, cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from beaches, rivers, forests and streets is inevitable.

Presidential Proclamation No. 470 declared the third Saturday of September of each year as the International Coastal Clean-up Day in observance of the Global Coastal Clean-up celebration.

The council disclosed that massive cleanup activities dubbed ‘Bayan Ko, Linis Ko’ will be held all over the country on the aforesaid date for the National Clean-up Day organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in collaboration with local government units, non-government organizations, academe and the private sector.

The National Clean-up Day will coincide with the annual International Coastal Clean-up weekend in September.

Section 16, Article 2 of the Philippine Constitution assured that the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The local legislative body expects the cooperation of the residents, NGOs, academe and the private sector in the conduct of the aforesaid activity because one of the prevailing programs of the local government for the revitalization of the city’s environment to be able to sustain the efforts to improve the current state of the environment. – Dexter A. See