COTABATO CITY — In simultaneous celebration of the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) and the National Cleanup Month this September, different line agencies in the BARMM led by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) volunteered to remove trash and debris from the coastal area of Timako Hill, Brgy. Kalanganan II, Cotabato City as part of their commitment to foster coastal and marine health.

As the PCSA and Cleanup Month bear the theme “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant-Heroes” and “Fighting for Trash-Free Seas, Pilipinas!”, respectively, cleaning tools and sacks were picked up by volunteers, being public servants that do not only practice good and moral governance but also stewardship of our environment.

MENRE Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab underscored the concepts of sustainable development and intergenerational responsibility to continue protecting and conserving this God-given nature. He stressed that when we practice cleanliness and contribute to the greening of our environment, it will not only benefit the present generation but also the future of our children.

As one of their culminating activities in the last few days of the 122nd PCSA, Civil Service Commission for BARMM – Cotabato City Field Office Director Dominador E. Gonzales, Jr. said that there are many ways that we can contribute to overall coastal and marine health through the recently conducted cleanup drive. As simple as posting about the activity on social media, we can raise the awareness of the public regarding the importance of exerting efforts that can advance a clean coastal area.

The cleanup drive at Timako Hill on 27 September 2022 wouldn’t be successful without the coordination efforts of the Maguindanao Provincial ENRE Office, MENRE Regional Office, Cotabato City Community ENRE Office and the barangay local government unit. Notably, the activity also turned out to have a broad participation due to the involvement of BARMM Ministries, Offices, and Agencies, including the engagement of representatives from some of the uniformed services, e.g. Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Army, etc.

Proclamation No. 244, s. 1993 declares the month of September of each year as the National Cleanup Month. The Proclamation emphasizes that public participation, along with government and non-government organizations’ efforts, is critical in garbage reduction, recycling, and composting, and the rehabilitation of our waterways.

The Proclamation encourages massive formal and non-formal education of the public on garbage management, pollution control, and the training of trainers, teachers, and youth leaders during the month of September as part of the whole participation in the mobilization of massive voluntary action to support and complement the country’s cleanup and environmental greening activities.