MARAWI CITY — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – Lanao del Sur marked the start of National Environmental Awareness Month, Philippine Clean Air Month, and Climate Change Consciousness Week with a cleanup drive in Barangay Matampay in this city on Nov. 8, 2024.
At the end of the activity, 660 kilograms of waste—mostly residual and recyclable—were collected from various areas of the barangay.
“The amount of waste collected shows that much of it comes from our homes. We hope everyone adopts proper waste segregation practices to reduce the volume going to our Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) and ensure only residual waste ends up in our sanitary landfills,” said MENRE-LDS Provincial Director Asmarie Labao.
He also emphasized that the most effective way to address environmental problems is by encouraging everyone to become eco-warriors.
“Even our religion, Islam, teaches us to be stewards, or Al Khalifa, of our environment. Through our activities this month, we aim to remind everyone of this important role,” Labao added.
MENRE-LDS’s Palaw and Forest Rangers also participated in the activity, along with volunteers from student organizations, the local government, and Bityara Incorporated.
“Everyone should be educated about proper waste management because taking care of our environment means taking care of ourselves,” said Rohana Mapia, a volunteer from Bityara Inc.
Every November, the country observes Environmental Awareness Month by virtue of Republic Act No. 9512. In line with this commitment, the Bangsamoro Government has prioritized disaster resilience and climate change adaptation in its 12-point priority agenda.
Since its inception in 2019, it has intensified efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in the region. These efforts include enhancing early warning systems, providing immediate relief aid to affected communities, and promoting climate adaptation strategies to better equip Bangsamoro residents for future challenges. (Norjana Malawi/BIO)
