SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s call for ‘bayanihan,’ the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in La Union urges all barangays in the province to join the simultaneous launch of the Kalinisan Program on Saturday, January 6.

In La Union, the launching of the Kalinisan program will be held at Barangay Poro in this city starting at  7 a.m. 

The Kalinisan or “Kalinga at Inisyatiba Para sa Malinis na Bayan” program is an initiative that will consolidate all efforts to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment by promoting the traditional ‘bayanihan’ scheme.

The environmental initiative, under the DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2024-001, aims to raise public awareness and participation in environmental responsibilities through proper waste management, encouraging local government units (LGUs) to invest in programs on solid waste management and ecological practices and build a recognition system for the cleanest LGUs.

“This program’s launch coincides the Community Development Day, under Proclamation No. 341, series of 1964, na kung saan tinitingnan ang mga avenues for participation ng ating community in terms of bringing about cleanliness, healthy environment, and other opportunities for the citizens to participate in improving our community,” said Reggie Colisao, provincial director of DILG-La Union.

Moreover, Colisao stressed that the program is very relevant to the cause as it promotes “self-help development in the time-honored Filipino tradition of bayanihan.”

All barangays, to be led by the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, are also enjoined to observe the activity by conducting their respective Kalinisan day activities.

During the activity, barangays are expected to conduct coastal clean-up, dredge clogged waterways, prune thick bushes or branches, and dismantle breeding places of mosquitoes in coastal areas, waterways, creeks, public parks, roads, and other public spaces within their areas. 

The DILG ensures the compliance of all the LGUs in their respective jurisdictions and coordinates with local media partners for coverage of their respective clean-up drive activities. 

The DILG emphasized that the program “is aligned with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, fostering the state's commitment towards a deep and fundamental transformation in all sectors of society.’’ (JCR/AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)