Abalos: Awards await cleanest barangays

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to incentivize local government units (LGUs) that are maintaining cleanliness in their areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Sunday said it will create a recognition system covering the over 42,000 barangays in the country to monitor, evaluate, and award the cleanest barangays.

DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos made the announcement on Saturday morning as he led the nationwide simultaneous launching of the Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan or KALINISAN project at Baseco Compound, Brgy. 649 in Manila.

"Imo-monitor natin ang performance ng bawat barangay on a monthly basis. And quarterly, magkakaron tayo ng awarding. Tututukan talaga natin ito," Abalos said.

The KALINISAN project is the DILG's new convergence initiative to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment and enable community participation anchored on the spirit of bayanihan.

Barangays across the country also conducted their respective clean-up drives from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., focusing on streets, canals, other waterways, public markets, schools, and public parks.

Highlighting the importance of cleanliness, Abalos urged local governments to invest in programs, projects, and activities on solid waste management and ecological practices.

"Sana hindi lang ngayong araw ito. Sana gawin natin ito araw-araw sa ating mga barangay, sa ating mga kabahayan. Gawin natin itong way of life. Dapat kahit saan tayo magpunta malinis," Abalos emphasized.

He also called on local officials to pass ordinances in their areas imposing community service punishment to those caught littering or throwing garbage in public places.

The nationwide launching of the KALINISAN project coincides with the celebration of the annual Community Development Day every 6 January, per Proclamation No. 341, series of 1964, signed by former president Diosdado Macapagal.

Aside from the DILG, among the agencies involved in the nationwide clean-up activity include the Presidential Communications Office, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Also with them were the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Agriculture, the Commission on Higher Education, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.