With Metro Manila continuing to struggle with garbage buildup despite repeated cleanup drives and anti-littering campaigns, a lawmaker is pushing for a more preventive, Japanese-inspired solution-one that focuses not only on collecting waste but also on teaching people, especially children, not to create the problem in the first place.
Following the support of Metro Manila mayors for his anti-littering proposals, Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos urged local government units (LGUs) and schools to consider adopting Japan’s concept of Dotoku, or moral education, under a broader Clean Schools, Clean Communities program.
The Japanese approach places strong emphasis on discipline, personal responsibility, respect for shared spaces, and the understanding that cleanliness is a responsibility of every citizen. Rather than relying mainly on street cleaners, penalties, or government personnel, the system encourages individuals to take responsibility for their waste.
Santos said this kind of mindset could provide Metro Manila with a more sustainable response to its garbage problem.
‘Laws, fines, and enforcement alone are not enough. We need to change the mindset and behavior of our young people. This is where the concept of Dotoku, or moral education, comes in-teaching discipline, responsibility, and respect for others and our environment,’ Santos said.
Santos said this illustrates an important lesson from the Japanese experience: clean communities are created by combining an effective waste-management system with a strong culture of personal responsibility.
Under the proposed approach, LGUs would continue improving waste collection, segregation facilities, and enforcement, while schools would strengthen values formation among students.
The lawmaker said public and private schools could become the starting point for building this culture. In partnership with LGUs, the Department of Education (DepEd), barangays, and community organizations, students could participate in classroom discussions on environmental responsibility, proper waste segregation, recycling projects, school cleanliness activities, and community-based environmental programs.
However, Santos stressed that the purpose should not simply be to require students to clean their surroundings.
Participating schools could also be encouraged to prepare their own Clean School Action Plans, covering proper waste segregation, recycling, reduction of single-use plastics, responsible disposal practices, and regular environmental activities.
The school-based initiative would complement Santos’ earlier proposal to establish dedicated ‘Garbage Police’ units across Metro Manila’s 17 LGUs, together with common minimum standards and coordinated policies against littering and illegal dumping.
Rather than depending on recurring cleanup operations after streets, waterways, and public spaces have already become polluted, Santos said the Japanese-inspired strategy would attempt to stop garbage at its source by changing everyday behavior.
Santos said the initiative should be developed in consultation with the Metro Manila Council (MMC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), DepEd, Metro Manila’s 17 LGUs, barangays, and other stakeholders.