Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abaloso on Thursday urged all 42,027 barangays and the public to join the national launching of "Barangay at Kalinisan Day" (BarKaDa) on Saturday, 16 September 2023.

Abalos said this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s call for bayanihan.

"Halina't makiisa, halina't maki-BarKaDa sa Sabado, September 16. Magtulong-tulong tayong linisin ang ating mga pamayanan para sa mas maayos at ligtas na kapaligiran," Abalos said.

BarKaDa is a nationwide community-based clean-up drive program, geared to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment and prevent the spread of diseases through proper solid waste management.

Simultaneous BarKaDa activities will be held in 29 esteros and creeks in the cities of Manila, Quezon , Caloocan, Pasig, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Pasay.

In Memorandum Circular 2023-133, Abalos urged barangays to pass an ordinance or resolution declaring one day of the week as BarKaDa, preferably every Saturday.

During BarKaDa, barangays are expected to conduct coastal clean-up, dredge clogged waterways, prune thick bushes or branches, and dismantle breeding places of mosquitoes in coastal areas, waterways, creeks, public parks, roads, and other public spaces within their areas.

DENR coastal clean-up

Also on Saturday (16 September), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct a separate cleanup activity in various sites in coastal areas in Metro Manila.

The coastal cleanup day is in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 470 Series of 2003 declaring every 3rd Saturday of September as International Coastal Cleanup Day in observance of the Global Coastal Cleanup celebration.

With a theme: "Clean Season for Healthy Fisheries" in harmony with the United Nations Decade of Oceans Science for Sustainable Development – Ocean Decade Challenge 3, which aims to Sustainably Feed the Global Population.

The sites fro the cleanup include the SM by the Bay in Pasay, Wetland Park in Las Piñas and Parañaque, Tanza Marine Tree Park and Barangay Tongos in Navotas, Tullahan River in Barangay San Bartolome in Quezon City, Pasig River in Lawton Ferry Station and Baseco Beach in Manila, H2O Hotel in Ocean Park also in Manila, and at the back of Solaire Hotel in Parañaque City.

The center of activity will be held in Balanga City Wetland and Nature Park in Bataan.