Foreigners are teaming up with local government executives to collect garbage in urban centers, and tree-planting activities are being conducted as the Philippines joins other countries in marking Clean Up the World weekend. Since the community-based environmental program was launched in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Program 18 years ago, the number of participants has grown to about 35 million volunteers in about 120 countries.
The activity is laudable, but the problem in this country has always been sustaining clean-up efforts. Throughout the year there are various activities to encourage environmental cleanup and proper garbage disposal. Yet every time a weather disturbance hits Metro Manila, big waves in Manila Bay leave a ton of garbage on Roxas Boulevard. After the cataclysmic floods spawned by storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng” last year, piles of garbage littered the streets.
A campaign to revive the Pasig River is now more than a decade old, its progress hampered by the continued use of the waterway as a giant septic tank and garbage receptacle. Despite repeated warnings from authorities that drainage systems clogged by garbage aggravate flooding, indiscriminate garbage disposal continues.
Cleanliness campaigns cannot succeed without sustained public cooperation. If people cannot be encouraged to observe personal hygiene and keep their surroundings clean, there are enough existing laws to protect the environment and keep communities clean. All that is needed is law enforcement. Barangay officials must do their job and stop squatting particularly along waterways. Local government units must lead the way in improving garbage collection, encouraging proper hygiene and upgrading sanitation facilities.
Many countries have managed to revive heavily polluted rivers and clean up urban centers. There is no reason why cleaning up should be impossible in the Philippines. This year’s theme of Clean Up the World is “Communities Caring for Nature.” The caring should not be limited to just the third week of September. -
