Zero-waste advocates renewed their call for a clean and trash-free Traslacion as preparations begin for the 2026 Feast of Jesus Nazareno on January 9.
In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition urged devotees and the public to keep streets waste-free, noting that the annual religious event coincides with the observance of Zero Waste Month this January.
The group stressed that caring for the environment is “every person’s [responsibility] to care for Mother Earth as stewards of God’s Creation.”
“Let our people’s profound faith in Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno inspire us to be better stewards of our planet, preventing and reducing waste and not littering, a punishable environmental offense, at all times but most especially during the Traslacion, a faith-centered feast,” said
Zero Waste Campaigner Ochie Tolentino.
The coalition cited data showing massive waste generation during past celebrations, with 468 metric tons of garbage collected from January 6 to 10, 2024, and 382 metric tons from January 8 to 10, 2025. Most of the waste consisted of plastic bottles, food containers, bamboo sticks, food waste, cigarettes, and disposable vapes.
“The reckless disposal of single-use plastic bottles, food containers, bamboo skewers, leftovers, butts and vapes degrades our shared environment, contaminating land, air, and water, blocking drains leading to flashfloods, creating breeding grounds for flies, mosquitoes, and rodents, and causing health problems,” she said.
“The unrestrained generation of garbage and its mixed disposal in landfills releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change that adversely impacts everyone, impoverished and marginalized communities,” she added.
The group called on authorities to strictly enforce Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which penalizes littering with fines ranging from ₱300 to ₱1,000 and community service.
It also criticized the 2025 celebration for “out-of-control” littering, questioning the absence of a littering ban during major activities such as the Pahalik, Fiesta Misa Mayor, and the overnight vigil at the Quirino Grandstand.