THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) led the national launch of Barangay at Kalinisan Day (BarKaDa) on Saturday.

During the launch, different local and barangay government units undertook various activities, including coastal cleanup, cleaning of clogged waterways, as well as mosquito control in coastal areas, creeks, public parks, roads and other public spaces.

Aside from Metro Manila, provincial DILG branches in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and Antique also joined the program.

Meanwhile, the Manila City Jail — supervised by the Bureau of Fire Protection-Manila — also joined the cleanup drive by cleaning the Estero de San Miguel located on Mendiola, San Miguel, Manila City.

DILG encourages around 42,000 barangay (villages) in the country to participate in the initiative.

BarKaDa is a community-based cleanup drive aimed at promoting a clean and safe environment.

Earlier, DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. issued Memorandum Circular 2023-133, encouraging barangay to pass an ordinance or resolution designating one day a week as BarKaDa.

BarKaDa 2023 focuses on the theme “Buhayin ang diwa ng bayanihan; mag-volunteer tayong lahat para sa kalikasan.”

According to the memorandum circular, the following should be conducted by barangay every cleanup day: dredging of clogged canals, esteros and other waterways; pruning thick bushes or tree branches; draining of receptacles containing stagnant water; dismantling all possible breeding places of mosquitoes; community gardening; and information drive on solid waste management, dengue prevention and community gardening.

On the other hand, the following should be performed by cities, municipalities and provinces: participate in the simultaneous national launching of the cleanup drive program on Sept. 16, 2023; through P/C/Menro, coordinate with component barangay to organize/participate in weekly cleanup activities in identified cleaning sites within their jurisdiction; ensure the participation of local government employees in the weekly cleanup in their respective barangay; provide additional materials and/or equipment necessary for the cleanup drive of component barangay; provide administrative and financial support to the barangay in the conduct of Barangay Clean-up Day; and ensure compliance of barangay with the circular.

Abalos said, “Come and join us, come and be part of BarKaDa on Saturday, September 16. Let’s work together to keep our communities clean for a better and safer environment.”