The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) led the “Kalinga At Inisyatiba Para Sa Malinis Na Bayan” (KALINISAN) sa Bagong Pilipinas program in Malabon City, following the impact of typhoon Carina and habagat recently.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the program, with a focus on cleanup operations, aims to provide a healthy and safe environment and encourage community participation anchored on the spirit of bayanihan.
“Garbage is a big contributor to flooding. The trash we throw away comes back to us.”
“Garbage is a big contributor to flooding. The trash we throw away comes back to us. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through this program, wants to teach the public about proper waste disposal, particularly segregation,” Abalos said during a simple ceremony at the Tinajeros barangay hall.
The DILG chief also encouraged the communities to work with the government to preserve and cleanup the environment through discipline and having the right attitude in disposing of garbage properly.
“The program’s objective is not only to clean the surroundings but also to instill this mindset in everyone. I hope having a clean environment will be our goal,” he said, citing that the conduct of cleanup operations must be immediate to prevent dengue and other water-borne diseases.
Meanwhile, MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the repair of the damaged Malabon-Navotas River navigational gate is a priority of the national government and concerned agencies are monitoring the situation and taking appropriate actions.
“The repair of the navigational gate is complicated, so we have to be very careful. In coordination with the DPWH, we are working on the repairs based on the agreed timeline. Rest assured we will hasten the repair,” Artes stressed.
“Cleanup operations after the onslaught of typhoon Carina and habagat are also being conducted simultaneously in other parts of Metro Manila.”
According to the MMDA chief, cleanup operations after the onslaught of typhoon Carina and habagat are also being conducted simultaneously in other parts of Metro Manila.
“From July 24 to July 31, we have hauled 870 tons of garbage and counting,” he said.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, for her part, extended her gratitude to the DILG for bringing the services of the KALINISAN for the benefit of her constituents, and to the participants who contributed time and effort to help the local government ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the residents.
Personnel from DILG, MMDA, DPWH, BFP, BJMP, concerned barangays, and the community participated in the cleanup drive in other parts of the country also.
Activities in Malabon City include clean-up, drainage dredging, purging of trees, hauling of garbage, and dismantling of possible breeding places for mosquitoes.
