Scribd
Upload
5 views2 pages

A Few Days Ago

Miles Jan Philip P. Barrozo discusses the environmental challenges in the Philippines, emphasizing the impact of pollution and the need for better waste management practices. He highlights successful examples like Bayawan City and proposes initiatives for raising awareness, organizing cleanup drives, and protecting endangered species. Barrozo encourages individuals to make small changes in their daily lives to contribute to sustainability and support the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

Uploaded by

Miles Barrozo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views2 pages

A Few Days Ago

Miles Jan Philip P. Barrozo discusses the environmental challenges in the Philippines, emphasizing the impact of pollution and the need for better waste management practices. He highlights successful examples like Bayawan City and proposes initiatives for raising awareness, organizing cleanup drives, and protecting endangered species. Barrozo encourages individuals to make small changes in their daily lives to contribute to sustainability and support the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

Uploaded by

Miles Barrozo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Speech

*Modals in Italic and conditional sentences in bold

A few days ago, I was on my way to school, stressing about the upcoming exams. I was
trying to cram in the car when suddenly, the bus in front of us hit the gas, and out came this
thick cloud of smog. Instantly, I felt frustrated. I started thinking about all the people outside,
breathing in that polluted air. Each breath could mean a higher chance of them developing
respiratory problems, not to mention how awful it smelled.

What really made me angry, though, was the fact that there are still people out there who
choose profits over the health of others and the environment. I mean, black smoke from
vehicles is illegal, right? But fixing the problem can be expensive, and sadly, that’s often
where things stop—someone’s greed impacting the lives of others.

Now, before I go on, let me introduce myself. I’m Miles Jan Philip P. Barrozo, and I run a
non-profit here in the Philippines. Our mission is pretty straightforward: we want to help
people care more about the environment. That’s why I’m here today.

One of the biggest challenges we face is that many people either don’t care or simply don’t
know better. I’ll give you an example. One afternoon, I was on my way home, finishing a bag
of chips. After I finished, I kept the wrapper because I didn’t want to litter. But then, my
driver turned to me and said, “Just throw it out the window.” I knew that was wrong—plastic
is terrible for the environment, and I’m against littering. But in the end, he forced me to throw
it out.

Sadly, this isn’t uncommon. I see this kind of behavior, especially with older generations,
who unknowingly pass down these bad habits to younger ones. Another time, while diving in
Palawan, I saw two tourists pull a juvenile giant clam from the water. They quickly put it
back, but it could have already been too late. If we keep disturbing endangered species like
that, it harms the environment in ways we might not immediately realize.

One day, I was scrolling through YouTube and came across a documentary about Bayawan
City, known as the "cleanest city in the Philippines." Curious, I watched it, and I was blown
away by how well they handle their waste. Other cities even send their trash to Bayawan
because their system is so efficient! They recycle most of their waste, and non-biodegradable
materials like glass get sold to junk shops for profit. As for the biodegradable stuff, it’s turned
into compost and sold as fertilizer. It’s an amazing setup, and the city is practically self-
sufficient.

So, I couldn’t help but wonder, "Why aren’t more cities doing this?" I came up with a few
ideas that I think could help. If we organize seminars and charity events with the help of
local government units (LGUs), we could raise awareness, funds, and donations. We
could work with barangay officials and mayors to coordinate cleanup drives and
enforce stricter recycling laws.

Next, we should focus on cleaning up polluted areas like rivers and beaches, working with
environmental organizations and the government. We also need to push for more waste
disposal facilities, similar to what they have in Bayawan, and pressure the government to
implement urban waste management systems like the one in Singapore, where waste is
converted into electricity.

And finally, let’s not forget about our trash collectors and waste management workers—they
should be appreciated for the hard work they do. I also think we could start a foundation
called “Hayop ng Bayan” to protect endangered species here in the Philippines.

So, what can you do? Start small—reduce your carbon footprint by turning off electronics
when you’re not using them. If you can, install solar panels for cleaner energy. And of
course, always dispose of your trash properly. Spread the word, too. If we all make these
small changes, we’re not only helping nature but also moving toward the United
Nations’ sustainable development goals, putting us on the right path to becoming a clean,
self-sustaining nation.

You might also like