Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval yesterday urged residents and officials of the city’s 21 barangays to prioritize cleanliness in their communities to ensure a safe and healthy celebration for all.

“This year, we want to see our city remain clean, even as we enjoy the festivities. Our staff are prepared to maintain cleanliness, but we can ensure everyone’s health and well-being if cleanliness and order start within our communities and households,” she said.

City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Officer-in-Charge Mark Mesina reported that the city government has encouraged barangay officials to mobilize personnel to maintain cleanliness in public spaces, particularly main roads and areas prone to illegal garbage dumping.

He said CENRO is also working to expedite garbage collection and disposal efforts citywide during the holiday season.

Street sweepers in Malabon have collected an average of 10,563 sacks of garbage per month from roads and public spaces between January and September 2024. They operate daily in two shifts: 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

From January to December 2024, estero or creek rangers collected 64,970 sacks (1,949,100 kg) of waste during 248 operations across Malabon’s waterways, including Dampalit River, Sucul River and Letre Creek, among others.

Additionally, the city’s Automatic Trash Rake, located in Barangay Tonsuya, collected 1,802 sacks (54,050 kg) of garbage in 150 operations this year.

Common Waste and Community Action

CENRO noted that most garbage collected in Malabon consisted of non-biodegradable materials such as plastic bottles, packaging, metal cans and styrofoam.

Organic waste, including food scraps and plant debris, was also found during clean-up operations.

Residents were reminded of the importance of the 3Rs — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle — as a key strategy for reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability.

Barangay officials and residents were also encouraged to report incidents of illegal dumping or improper waste disposal.