Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has successfully collected over 133 million kilograms of garbage nationwide through the KALINISAN (Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan) Program since its inception in January 2024.
According to Philippines News Agency, a crucial part of this initiative is the Barangay at Kalinisan Day (BARKADA), which requires every village to conduct weekly clean-ups every Saturday. From January 6, 2024, to May 3, 2025, over 22,000 communities have participated in cleaning four million sites across the nation. These activities see the involvement of approximately 500,000 participants weekly, including 166,000 village officials.
The KALINISAN program is designed to mobilize local governments and communities towards regular cleanup efforts. It addresses solid waste management challenges while supporting flood prevention by clearing waterways, drainage systems, and public spaces of debris and plastic waste. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision for a clean, safe, and disaster-resilient Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).
The program emphasizes proper waste disposal practices by promoting segregation, transport to transfer stations, recycling at Materials Recovery Facilities, and composting. Initiatives such as waste-to-goods exchange and the use of composted fertilizer for community gardens help prevent plastics and other waste from clogging waterways, thereby reducing urban flooding risks.
KALINISAN is highlighted by the DILG as more than just a cleanup drive; it is a strategy for disaster risk reduction, public health improvement, and nation-building. The initiative demonstrates that clean communities are safer, healthier, and more resilient to challenges like floods, disease, and disorder.