PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said his administration will closely monitor the performance of barangays in ensuring order and cleanliness in their respective areas to sustain the positive momentum of the “Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas” nationwide clean-up program.
“Ang kaayusan at kalinisan sa bawat barangay ay tutukan ng inyong Pangulo. Iyan ang isang bago sa Bagong Pilipinas. Mga Kabarangay, saludo ako sa inyo! (Order and cleanliness in every barangay will be the focus of your President. That is one thing new in the New Philippines. Kabarangays, I salute you)” the President said in a video message released yesterday.
Marcos said to help sustain the campaign, along with the order and cleanliness in each barangay, the administration would assess the performance of each barangay every month and reward the outstanding performing barangays.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the recognition of local government units that would efficiently implement the Kalinga at Inisyatiba Para Sa Malinis na Bayan (KALINISAN) program will be done every quarter.
The President acknowledged the successful launch of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-led program over the weekend as he emphasized the importance of the “bayanihan” efforts, particularly in cleaning up roads, canals, markets and schools towards greener, healthier and safer communities across the country.
Abalos said the administration collected over 5.14 million kilograms of trash since the launch last January 6.
He said more than 1.23 million people and 245,393 local officials participated in the program.
He urged LGUs to pass their respective ordinances that would require community service for individuals who are caught littering.
Abalos said the program aims to showcase the spirit of volunteerism while ensuring safe and healthy communities to live in.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) lauded the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and KapitBisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) for their active participation in the nationwide clean-up drive.
The 4Ps and KALAHI-CIDSS beneficiaries helped preserve the environment and achieve clean communities by cleaning the streets, coastal areas, and river banks; planting ornamental plants; and declogging canals and waterways, among others.
The DSWD said the beneficiaries themselves recognized the importance of the clean-up drive for their respective communities and families and were thankful to have the opportunity to participate.
