As the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) sustains its efforts to assist LGUs in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Carina, the KALINISAN (Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan) initiative has shifted its focus towards prioritizing hard-hit areas and barangays where significant amounts of trash have resurfaced due to the recent flooding. This effort was exemplified on August 3, 2024, when the Department led a clean-up convergence drive in Malabon City spearheaded by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos. The drive targeted flood-critical clean-up sites within Barangay Tinajeros: one near the barangay hall satellite office and others along the nearby streets with clogged drainage systems.

Beginning as early as 4:30 AM, volunteers from Barangay Tinajeros & Barangay Niugan of Malabon City, with support from Barangay Holy Spirit of Quezon City, commenced the clean-up of large heaps of trash near the Barangay Tinajeros Satellite office. The effort was supported by four (4) large hauler trucks provided by the volunteer barangays. The Malabon City LGU also deployed its City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), in coordination with the different national government agencies.

In a recent directive issued by the Secretary, the DILG has urged all barangays nationwide to conduct simultaneous clean-up drives. The clean-up convergence drive in Malabon City served as a flagship location for this nationwide effort, given the presence of key DILG officials assisting the Secretary, including; Undersecretary for Local Government Marlo L. Iringan, CESO III, Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Felicito Valmocina, Undersecretary for Public Safety Serafin Barretto Jr., CESO IV, Undersecretary for Project Development Management Atty. Odilon L. Pasaraba, CESO III, Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Lord A. Villanueva, Assistant Secretary for Community Participation Elizabeth N. Lopez de Leon, Public Affairs and Communication Service Officer-in-Charge Atty. Salvacion C. Baccay, CESO V, National Barangay Operations Office Officer-In-Charge Atty. Izza Mari D. Laurio.

At the regional level, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, represented the DILG-NCR Regional Office and the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program (MBCRPP). She spearheaded the Manila Bay Program Management Team in overseeing the overall conduct of the program, ensuring smooth program flow, and providing necessary cleaning implements. Also leading the DILG Malabon Field Office in supporting the showcase was City Director Jess Marie A. Acoba, CESE.

As the community participants continued to clean hand-in-hand with the barangay officials and the attending National Government Agencies such as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Bureau of Fire Protection-NCR (BFP-NCR), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-NCR (BJMP-NCR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-NCR (DENR-NCR), Department of Public Works and Highway-NCR (DPWH-NCR), and Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), a short program was conducted at the barangay hall to showcase the importance and purpose of the clean-up to the residents.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval welcomed the DILG officials and expressed her elation that the majority of the Department’s top brass took the time to participate in the clean-up effort in the barangay. The Mayor then reported on the recent severe flooding in Malabon brought about by Carina, noting that the Northern Navotas Navigation Gate was recently damaged by a barge that collided with it while entering the city’s channel. This incident, coupled with high tide at the time, contributed to the severity of the flooding.

However, recent advancements in the city’s anti-disaster efforts mitigated the potential damage from recent storms. Over the past two years, the city has significantly reduced its vulnerability to flooding. The Mayor reported that more than 40 pumping stations and various flood-control equipment are fully operational, staffed 24/7, and that the city’s solid waste management program continues to run efficiently.

Given that the LGU is tirelessly working to improve its preparedness for calamities, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes issued a call to action to the community. He emphasized that no matter how efficient our drainage systems are, they cannot operate effectively without the community’s discipline in handling trash.

“Kailangan po namin ang tulong ng lahat ng tao, hindi po kaya nang gobyerno lamang itong mga programa na ito para maging successful. Kahit gaano po kalaki ang drainage canals natin, kung ayan po ay mababarahan ng basura, hindi rin po aabot ang tubig baha sa ating mga pumping stations at hindi po mailalabas sa major na daluyan ng tubig,” the chairman said.”

Secretary Abalos focused on the importance of cleanliness among residents and the community as a whole, citing the current state of the country in solid waste management and the Filipino Bayanihan Spirit,. He stated that cleanliness is a basic and core value that must be taken seriously and adopted as a way of life for individuals to ensure the betterment of our communities, taking into consideration practicing segregation as well.

“Ang importante ito’y maging attitude ng tao. Hindi ka na kailangang utusang maglinis. On your own, dapat alam mo na. Kung may basura ka wag mong ikalat; ilagay mo sa bulsa mo itatapon mo lang sa tamang basurahan. And, to make it perfect, hatiin na natin ang basura – merong plastic, merong nabubulok, at hindi nabubulok,” Abalos said.

As Secretary Abalos concluded his message, he expressed hope that these clean-up initiatives would lead to a safer and cleaner community for future generations. Following his speech, a total of more than 450 volunteers began spreading out across the alleys and streets of Barangay Tinajeros, with the help of their Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) officials. The community and the barangay, with the government’s arms, focused on cleaning drainage systems using rakes and shovels to assist haulers in collecting a total of 20 truckloads of trash. Flushing of roads and siphoning of trash from drainage systems were concurrently being conducted.

The DILG commits to constantly assisting our grassroots-level communities by perseveringly initiating such clean-up initiatives, for cleaner communities.