Earth Day: Palace asks public to dispose of masks, shields properly

Malacañang reminded the public to dispose their used face masks and face shields properly as the Philippines joined the entire world in celebrating Earth Day on April 22.

In his press briefing on Thursday, Roque said there were still ways the people can help protect the environment despite the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"Sa panahon ng pandemya, makakatulong ang lahat kahit sa munting paraan tulad ng pagtatapon nang wasto ng pinaggamitan na face mask at face shields (During this time of the pandemic, we can still help in our own little ways like the proper disposal of used face masks and face shields)," he said.

"Let us do that and teach it to our children," he said in Pilipino.

According to Roque, celebrating Earth Day was important because it is a reminder to people to take care of the environment.

"It is a special day that serves as a reminder of the importance of caring for and protecting Mother Nature for the next generation," he said in Pilipino.

"The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Because of this, the issue of climate change is relevant to the Philippines," he said in Pilipino.

President Duterte has repeatedly stressed the importance of addressing climate change and demanded climate justice from "those who are most responsible for this existential challenge."

He suggested developed countries consider leading drastic cuts in carbon emissions.

In 2017, despite his misgivings, President Duterte signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change Instrument of Accession. It is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which deals with greenhouse gasses emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance starting in the year 2020.