Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Saturday prodded the Mandaluyong City Council to pass an ordinance imposing community service instead of fines and penalties on violators of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s flagship KALINISAN program.

Abalos explained that the move would encourage the citizens to develop a cleaner and healthier way of life, which other local government units could also adopt and emulate.

“Para sa mga nagtatapon ng basura, I am urging the city council na magkaroon tayo ng ordinansa. Instead of imposing a penalty, pagwalisin mo na lang siya, paglinisin mo ng kanal kahit isang oras lang, para matuto,” he said.

The DILG Chief made the call during the launch of the BARKADA Clean-up Drive in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

During the event, he emphasized the need for imposing corrective punishment in order to instill among people a proper attitude towards environmental cleanliness.

Under the current set-up, anti -littering violators in Metro Manila are cited for violating MMDA Regulation No. 96-009 o Anti-Littering.

The MMDA Environmental Enforcers, who have the authority to issue environmental violation receipts tickets, are also authorized to file cases against violators.

Abalos urged Mandaleños to continue the practice of community clean-up drive during the weekends and commit in the KALINISAN campaign by cleaning every street and alley in the city.

The former mayor and MMDA chairman noted that all 27 barangays of Mandaluyong City have been conducting simultaneous clean-up drive every Saturday for the past 20 years.

“Tuwing Sabado, naglilinis talaga sila for the last 20 years. It is already a way of life,” he said.

This, as he encouraged other local government units to emulate this practice while also focusing on proper segregation practices to fully comply with the KALINISAN program.

He likewise underscored the need to prioritize and clean ‘esteros’ by installing trash traps as a measure to ensure free-flowing and garbage-free waterways in the communities.

He also suggested that other LGUs implement their own projects similar to the MMDA’s Basura Palit Grocery project, citing a “circular economy” as the model for a self-sustaining trash to cash initiative.

Abalos likewise commended the City of Mandaluyong for its consistent and outstanding performance in various governmental aspects, particularly for its low volume of solid waste produced compared to other Metro Manila cities.

“Noong 2019, lumabas na ang Mandaluyong ay nagpo-produce ng 279 thousand kilos ng basura. In comparison, ang number 1 na lungsod sa Metro Manila, lumilikha ng 3 million kilos (of waste),” he said.