MANILA, Philippines - We have always been taught that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." Nearly every barangay in the Philippines has its own local anti-littering rule and cleanliness campaign. Nevertheless, it has always been a question of why, despite the people's awareness of the importance of cleanliness in their lives, we remain a filthy nation. Our age-old problems on street garbage and clogged waterways have been a major, major stumbling block in our efforts to prevent floods and similar man-made disasters. A major thrust of the current administration of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is towards friendlier, cleaner, safer streets. We cannot, however, dismiss the fact that in order to make headway towards this goal, we also need to drag along other social issues that may no longer be the business of MMDA alone. For example, the problem of clogged esteros is not simply a problem on inappropriate garbage disposal. It is a problem that takes root in poverty or lack of decent places where people may build shelter. Relocation of families living in the edges of waterways is, we believe, an important step to be taken if another Ondoy tragedy is to be prevented. We caution, nevertheless, that relocation, clearing, and cleanup activities should be done in the spirit of discipline with compassion. While it may be true that national government agencies and local government units have not ceased efforts to find lasting solutions to these maladies, the personal choice of direct stakeholders (with this we mean those who will be directly affected when water cannot pass through these waterways) to participate in the resolution of the problem is indeed crucial.
It is after all for these stakeholders' safety and welfare that these areas have been made the focus and concentration of clean up and restoration efforts. The people should begin to realize that personal discipline and commitment is at the heart of the solution to this problem. Is it not every citizen's duty to keep his/her surroundings clean?
No matter how much effort is put into cleaning streets and declogging waterways, the same problems will always recur if the people will fail to become a partner for their leaders. True enough, we need not highlight the importance of a clean environment in the health and wealth generation of a community. No amount of solid waste management program or cleanup activities can replace people's participation and commitment to work together with their governments for their own health and safety. (E-mail address: myrfnt@yahoo.com)
