Make cleanliness part of holiness, Holy Week pilgrims urged

The Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Cathedral in Antipolo – after the Holy Week. (Photo from EcoWaste Coalition)

Environmental groups urged the public on Sunday to observe a litter- and smoke-free Holy Week.

The EcoWaste Coalition and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) said that having less garbage and smoke pollution would benefit both human health and the environment.

“We urge the faithful not to litter as we recall the passion of Christ, atone for past wrongs, and renew our faith through time-honored traditions and rites during the Holy Week,” Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition, said in a statement.

“We particularly appeal to those joining the penitential walk to Antipolo City and those visiting popular pilgrimage sites to mind their trash. As stewards or caretakers of God’s creation, it is our shared responsibility to demonstrate respect for the environment, especially when performing faith-based activities,” he added.

Doctor Maria Encarnita Limpin, FCAP executive director, also appealed to smokers to solemnly observe the Holy Week by lighting up fewer cigarettes.

Limpin said that having a smoke-free environment would lessen the threat of smoke-related diseases to second-hand smokers.

“Tobacco smoke contains toxic and poisonous chemicals, including cancer-causing substances, which can pose harm and death to both smokers and non-smokers,” she said in the same statement.

“By keeping the environment free of dangerous tobacco smoke, we reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and thus reducing the risk of heart disease, lung cancer and other smoking-related ailments,” Limpin added.

Both environmental groups then urged law enforcement agents to strictly implement Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act during the Holy Week break. /cbb