Butuan church, gov’t agencies, stakeholders collaborate in weekly anti-flooding cleanup drive
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Launched in 2023, the “Laudato Si” community cleanup drive—an initiative of the St. Joseph Cathedral Diocesan Shrine (SJCDS) in Butuan City in collaboration with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and other public and private sector partners—was born out of the late Pope Francis’ call to care for everyone’s common home. What began as a parish-led movement along the Agusan River has since grown into a rallying point for civic action, now echoing the government’s broader push to confront flooding and environmental hazards through collective effort.
Inception of the ‘Laudato Si’ cleanup drive
To recall, “Laudato Si” (Latin for “Praise be to you”) is the title of the late Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 encyclical on the environment and human ecology.
Reverend Father Jone Kevin Bermudez, former parochial vicar of SJCDS and one of the first implementers of Laudato Si, still vividly remembers how the noteworthy program came about three years ago: “The initiative began with a simple question: What can we do to contribute meaningfully to the community? The answer sought was not something grand or complicated, but rather something practical, doable, effective, and sustainable.”
He constantly reminded the communities he served that caring for the environment is a task not only of the government, but also of each community member. While the government focused on developing public spaces, the church, along with its partner stakeholders, committed itself to helping preserve their cleanliness and beauty.
“Over time, volunteers made an important observation—days before a scheduled cleanup drive, litter could often be seen scattered along the riverbanks. And after rainfall, much of this waste would be carried and trapped among the grasses and vegetation growing near the water. This revealed a significant reality: uncollected garbage would eventually find its way into the Agusan River. In this way, the clean-up drive not only helped maintain the city’s riverside development, but also protects the river from pollution,” Fr. Bermudez added.
Faith meets policy
In 2025, President Marcos Jr. launched Oplan Kontra Baha, a nationwide campaign to dredge rivers, desilt waterways, and strengthen flood defenses. With flooding ranked among the Philippines’ most devastating natural hazards, the directive aims to reduce flood risks by up to 60% through community-driven solutions.
The Laudato Si cleanup drive is aligned with this national directive. The cathedral mobilized volunteers to clear waste along the Agusan River, one of Caraga’s most flood-prone waterways. CENRO likewise supported the activity by deploying garbage trucks and personnel to help collate and segregate the waste. Other public sector partners have also consistently contributed their time and energy including the barangay local government units (BLGUs) of Sikatuna, Agao, Leon Kilat, and Datu Silongan—all in Butuan City—as well as personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Caraga. Private organizations and educational institutions likewise regularly volunteered in the said weekly cleanup.
The effort not only reduced pollution but also fostered ecological awareness, most especially among youth groups. What the state envisions through policy, the church enacts through grassroots action—bridging faith and governance in a shared mission to protect lives and the environment.
Beyond mere ‘cleanup’
As volunteers haul sacks of garbage from the riverbanks each weekend, they know their work is more than symbolic. Each piece of waste removed is one less obstruction to water flow, one less hazard during the next storm. For the government, these grassroots efforts amplify national programs, making flood mitigation not just a matter of infrastructure but of community spirit.
In Butuan City, the partnership between church and state is not just about cleaning rivers—it is about weaving resilience into the fabric of everyday life. And as the Agusan River continues to swell with the rains, both faith and policy stand together, determined to keep the waters at bay. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
