Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger G. Mercado is marshalling for support to his advocacy to clean up and green up the National Capital Region (NCR).
Secretary Mercado said that the campaign to revitalize center island of roads coupled with the strategy to instill a cleanliness discipline will make a healthier Metropolis that will have implications to the entire nation with Metro Manila being the major gateway of the Philippines.
DPWH-NCR Regional Director Nomer Abel P. Canlas spearheaded the implementation of Secretary Mercado’s initiative with the help of road maintenance workers hired under the Assistance to Youth and Unemployed for Development and Advancement or AYUDA Program in replenishing or growing up new plants on center islands; repainting of median/concrete barriers/gutters/curbs and worn out lane markings for safety of motorists; and maintaining cleanliness of roads.
AYUDA Program, also an initiative of Secretary Mercado, was launched nationwide on December 7, 2021 to provide local employment opportunities by hiring the youth and those who lost their jobs, allowing Filipinos to recover from COVID-19 and at the same time contribute to public infrastructure development nationwide.
To heighten awareness of the campaign, several tarpaulin posters with message “Let’s Help Keep NCR Clean and Green” were strategically put up on major roads in Metro Manila to imbibe clean and green into the way of life of the people.
Advocacy announcement of NCR-wide clean and green campaign is posted in the following areas: along EDSA Northbound (before Cloverleaf Interchange); along EDSA Southbound (before Balintawak Market); along Quezon Avenue to V.V. Soliven, EDSA Southbound; along Whiteplains to Quezon Avenue, EDSA Northbound; along Padre Burgos St. corner Roxas Boulevard; along Finance Road before Padre Burgos St.; along Roxas Boulevard after Padre Burgos Intersection; along Ayala Bridge (South Bound), Ermita, Manila City; along P. Quirino Avenue corner P.M. Guazon St.; along EDSA Northbound corner Roxas Boulevard; along EDSA Southbound near Taft Avenue; along Bonifacio Drive near Anda Circle; along Mel Lopez Blvd. Marala NMDEO Boundary; along Mel Lopez Blvd. cor. Pacheco St. (Northbound and Southbound); along Mel Lopez Blvd. cor. Zaragosa St.; along Mel Lopez Blvd. cor. before M. Roxas Jr. Bridge; along P. Casal St. cor. C. Palanca St., Arlegui St., Bustillos St., and fronting Arellano St.; along R. Magsaysay Blvd. cor. V. Mapa St. and Valencia St.; along C-4 Road cor. Dagat-Dagatan, Malabon City; along C-4 Road cor. M. Naval St., Navotas City; along Daang Maharlika Road, Brgy. Alabang, Muntinlupa City; along Daang Maharlika Road, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City; along EDSA Southbound (V.V. Soliven), Mandaluyong City; along EDSA Northbound (White Plains), Mandaluyong City; along EDSA Northbound and Southbound (near Guadalupe Bridge), Mandaluyong City; along EDSA Southbound (cor. Ortigas Ave.), Mandaluyong City; along EDSA Southbound (fronting Megamall), Mandaluyong City; along C5-Road Extension, Parañaque City; along C5-Road (corner Mckinley), Makati City; and along EDSA Northbound and Southbound Caloocan City/ Quezon City Boundary.
In our little way, Secretary Mercado’s call to action for the protection of the environment would hopefully influence others, said Director Canlas.
Other clean and green actions are to promote waste management by reducing, reusing and recycling, and to reinforce practice of growing plants and trees in easement lots and open spaces to improve air quality.