The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said 34.4 million kilograms of waste were collected from nearly 21,000 villages during the nationwide “Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan” (KALINISAN) program from January to April this year.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos said in a news release Monday that the weekly cleanup is a longstanding commitment of the national government to apply “bayanihan” (cooperation) and ensure cleaner and greener communities.

As of April 15, the cleanup drive had already gathered 580,224 participants from 20,974 villages.

“The numbers are encouraging and a clear demonstration of the Filipino people’s solidarity,” Abalos said.

The Kalinisan program was in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City on Saturday, with some of the 930 participants conducting urban gardening.

Barangay Holy Spirit reported 92 streets and 6,200 structures have been cleared within the past six months, mostly through voluntary demolition. (PNA)