MANILA, 19 September 2020 — In celebration of the National Clean-Up Month, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) encouraged households and individuals to take time to declutter, implement proper waste management practices, reassess past purchases, and join online efforts towards the preservation and conservation of the environment.

By virtue of Proclamation No. 244, the month of September is declared as the National Clean-Up Month, while Presidential Proclamation No. 470 also designates the 3rd Saturday of September as National Clean-Up Day. Both observances seek to encourage citizens and communities to be responsive in cleaning and protecting the environment.

The CCC stressed that there should be increased awareness on waste due to the production and consumption of personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks, gloves, and other COVID-related supplies, which may end up as litter in waterways and our oceans.

In this regard, the CCC calls on national and local authorities and citizens in implementing the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which requires  practices on effective waste management—such as segregation of garbage at source, segregated transportation, processing, treatment, and proper disposal of solid waste—beginning from the home and extending to all levels of society.

The CCC enjoins the public to do individual or small cleanups in the home and within the neighborhood, while complying with health and safety measures in this community quarantine due to COVID-19. May this year’s celebration also inspire the youth, national and local leaders, policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders to do their fair share in keeping a healthy, resilient, and sustainable planet for all.