In solidarity for the maintenance and cleanliness of its environs, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, joined the Coastal Clean-up Drive hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) along the coast of Brgy. Timaco, Kalanganan II, Cotabato City on September 27, 2022.

Led by Esmael W. Ebrahim, Director General, the MHSD team spent the early morning to noon picking up trash along the shores with representatives from other BARMM Ministries and line agencies.

In celebration of National Clean-Up Month, with the theme “Fighting for Trash Free Seas-Philippines Ending the Flow Trash at the Source”, the activity advocated for a healthy and clean environment, as well as the maintenance and sustainability of natural resources.

DG Ebrahim emphasized the solidarity MHSD has with the MENRE for the Clean-Up drive, honored for the MHSD to join in promoting awareness in taking good care of the environment and witnessing the unity of the Bangsamoro people through the activity.

“We are so happy that we were invited to be part of this activity because, as a member of the Muslim Community, we must always apply cleanliness, especially in our environment,” DG Ebrahim said.

Selem C. Demuna, Director II for the Operations and Management Services, shared his gratitude and appreciation for the Civil Service Commission and the MENRE for initiating the activity, highlighting its service to the Bangsamoro Region.

“We really need this activity, especially in the MHSD, because we are promoting decent Housing and Settlements. It’s very important to promote this kind of awareness to our local residences, especially to the next generation of the Bangsamoro, for this could be a Bangsamoro Tahāra (Purity) Project,” Dir. Demuna said.

The program formally began with opening message delivered by Brgy. Chairman Hon. Datu Edris Ayunan Pasawiran, followed by supporting messages from Lida C. Ayon, Director IV from the CSC-BARMM, and Akmad A. Brahim, Minister of MENRE-BARMM.

The Annual Coastal Clean-Up is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 244, signed on September 3, 1993, declaring September of every year as National Clean-up Month to mobilize volunteers in supporting the country’s cleanup activities and engaging in environmental activities such as garbage reduction, recycling, composting, and rehabilitation of waterways.