Call for Action During National Clean-up Month
As the Philippines observes National Clean-up Month this September, Senator Loren Legarda emphasized the urgent need to translate environmental policies into tangible community action. The four-word keyphrase “National Clean-up Month” highlights the importance of collective efforts to safeguard the environment.
Established under Proclamation No. 244 s. 1993 and reinforced by Presidential Proclamation No. 470 s. 2003, National Clean-up Month culminates every third Saturday with International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) Day. Local leaders noted the significance of this observance in raising awareness and fostering community participation.
Senator Legarda’s Leadership and Legislative Efforts
Legarda, principal author of the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729) and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), reminded the public that laws alone cannot effect change without active citizen engagement. “As the principal author and principal sponsor of the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729), and author and principal sponsor of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), I have seen that laws only bring real change when people embrace them,” she said.
She urged Filipinos to embrace unity and daily commitment beyond mere compliance, turning National Clean-up Month into a movement for a cleaner and more resilient nation.
Environmental Challenges Backed by Data
According to data shared by environmental officials, the Philippines produces approximately 61,000 metric tons of solid waste daily. Of this, 12 to 24 percent consists of plastic materials. Community members highlighted that the average Filipino consumes 20 kilograms of plastic annually, with 15.4 kilograms becoming waste. This alarming figure positions the country as the world’s leading contributor to ocean plastic pollution, responsible for roughly 36 percent of global marine debris.
Last year’s International Coastal Clean-up removed 352,479 kilograms of trash from 250 sites nationwide in just one day, demonstrating the scale of the problem and the power of collective action.
Environmental Impact and Urgency
Legarda warned that these statistics represent visible scars on the environment. “Flooding and mass displacement are no longer isolated events; these are symptoms of clogged waterways, deforested uplands, and years of poor waste management,” she explained. Officials reported that the consequences of pollution and climate change are immediate threats affecting Filipino lives today.
Proposed Reforms for Stronger Environmental Protection
To combat these issues, the senator has filed Senate Bill No. 1250, advocating for the creation of an Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau (EPEB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This bureau would enhance the government’s ability to monitor environmental violations, especially those involving hazardous hospital waste and industrial pollution.
In addition, Senate Bill No. 1251, known as the Philippine Environmental Assessment System Act, aims to modernize environmental governance. This bill introduces Strategic Environmental Assessment for policies and programs, Environmental Impact Assessment for projects, and Health Impact Assessment aligned with the Universal Health Care Act. Experts noted that these reforms would foster a science-based, proactive, and health-conscious approach to environmental decision-making.
Community Participation as Key to Lasting Change
Legarda stressed, “Legislation alone won’t solve our environmental challenges. We need public participation, local innovation, and sustained community action.” She encouraged Filipinos to view National Clean-up Month and ICC Day not as isolated events but as catalysts for enduring transformation.
“Environmental laws are not just words on paper; they are tools for transformation. Let us deepen our commitment to bridge policy and practice, not just this September, but every day. The real change begins when we take ownership of the laws meant to protect us,” she concluded.
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