Philippine communities join millions to help Clean Up the World

MANDALUYONG CITY - Thousands of volunteers from the Philippines will join an estimated 35 million volunteers from 120 countries to take community based action to help protect the environment for future generations as part of the Clean Up the World Weekend on September 18, 2010.

Clean Up the Philippines Movement, Inc. is a member of Clean Up the World, one of the largest community based environmental campaigns in the world, and is organizing Clean Up the Philippines Day under the banner of Clean Up the World.

Clean Up the Philippines Founder and Chairman Roald R. Arcangel  urged the community to get involved in the planned local activities of its members.

As part of the Clean Up the World campaign, our members and volunteers will be conducting various environmental activities on Clean Up the Philippines Day, some of the activities are:

Green Tags Environmental Guardians will clean-up and de-congest all drainage systems leading to Sapang Belen Creek in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

The City Government of Mandaluyong will conduct a city-wide clean up drive in the city together with its 27 barangays (villages).

The Kalipunan ng mga Kabataan para sa Kalikasan or KALIKASAN will be having a tree planting activity in Barangay Muntingdilaw, Antipolo City.

A clean-up activity at Soldiers Hills in Muntinlupa City will be conducted by Mary, Cause of our Joy Catholic School CAT Unit.

"Taking action in our local community will not only benefit our local environment but we'll also be helping the rest of the world in this 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

"We need the support of as many people as possible, it's more important than ever that we take serious action to protect and promote our rich biodiversity for the sake of our future generations."

Clean Up the World Founder and Chairman Ian Kiernan AO* sent a message of support to the local volunteers participating in the Clean Up the World campaign.

"Volunteers from the Philippines will be making a valuable contribution to not just their own communities but to the rest of the world as well.  We are all interconnected so every local action helps protect the species we all rely on for our food, fuel, health and enjoyment.

"Congratulations to all the members and volunteers of Clean Up the Philippines campaign for being a leader in the local community and for being a part of the solution on biodiversity.  Unity is important when it comes to addressing the threats to plant and animal life.  Each of us can make a difference.  When we work together the benefits are even greater."

Volunteers around the globe will take part in a range of activities as part of Clean Up the World campaign, from tree plantings to nationwide clean ups.

Clean Up the Philippines Day has been supported locally by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Australian Embassy in Manila.

Clean Up the World started in Sydney, Australia in 1993 and is held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  The campaign brings together non-government organizations, community groups, schools, governments, businesses and individuals to undertake activities to improve water quality, clean up local streets, parks, waterways and forests and educate children about the environment.