Last November 16, 2019, the DENR Climate Change Service kicked off the week-long celebration of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week with the Sama-sama sa K5: Kilos sa Klima at Kalamidad tungo sa Kaligtasan at Kaunlaran in five barangays of Caloocan City (Barangay 160, 161, 162, 163, and 164) which the Tullahan River traverses. Simultaneous estero/creek clean up started at about 7:00 A.M.

This was followed by the Art Challenge Contest by participating public school students with the theme, “Save Tullahan River from Plastic Wastes.” This was handled by the Rethink Plastic, Inc., UP Eco-Tour, in cooperation with the DENR.

Rethink Plastic, Inc., GCash , and Green Antz, in cooperation with the DENR Climate Change Service also started the “May Pay sa Sachet” program with the aforecited five barangays of Caloocan City. Deemed as a temporary solution to the plastic waste problem, “May Pay sa Sachet” Program is also an eco-friendly livelihood program for the barangays. For every kilo of clean plastic wastes, cut into smaller portions and put on empty used plastic bottles, every kilo of the ecobrick from plastic bottles is paid Php 7.00 to the resident. The ecobrick is surrendered to the barangay. Ecobricks may be made into   chairs, fences, washing areas, and similar structures.

Talipapa High School, which won the aforecited Art Challenge Contest, will be given a washing area as donation to the school after two months, and after processed by Green Antz in their plant in Bulacan.

Likewise included in the Sama-sama sa K5 activities were discussions on Climate Change, Environmental Management, “Bagyo” and “Lindol” with the Barangay Kagawads, health workers, street sweepers, residents, and children.