A Sacred Journey, A Shared Responsibility: San Jose del Monte LGU and EcoWaste Coalition Urge Lenten Pilgrims to Leave No Litter Behind

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As tens of thousands of the faithful prepare for their spiritual journey to the revered Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan this Holy Week, a solemn call rises above the hymns and prayers: “Leave no litter behind.”

In a compelling appeal blending faith and environmental responsibility, the local government of San Jose del Monte City (CSJDM) and the vigilant EcoWaste Coalition have joined forces to urge pilgrims to tread lightly—both on sacred ground and on Mother Earth.

For decades, the Lourdes Grotto in Barangay Graceville has drawn pilgrims in droves, especially during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. These spiritual seekers walk the path of the 14 Stations of the Cross, pausing in silent reverence before life-sized statues that depict Christ’s final journey. But too often, another trail is left behind: discarded water bottles, food wrappers, and plastic bags—a stark contrast to the prayerful silence and reflection these sacred days demand.

"Cleanliness is next to godliness"

This year, CSJDM’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), led by Engr. Thelma Bautista, is making a heartfelt plea: “We appeal to all visitors to keep the pilgrimage site and the streets leading to it litter-free at all times. As cleanliness is next to godliness, we ask the faithful to dispose of their trash in the designated bins.”

But even this simple act of decency needs reinforcement. With the influx of devotees overwhelming available facilities, the call grows louder: “Bitbit ninyo, uwi ninyo, please.” Bring your waste home.

A Covenant with Creation

Aileen Lucero, the ever-committed National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, echoes this moral imperative: “We have the shared responsibility of keeping the pilgrimage site, especially the prayer and picnic areas, litter-free. As stewards of His Creations, we must honor both the sacred space and the environment that sustains us.”

For Lucero and the Coalition, this is more than an environmental issue—it is a spiritual act of stewardship, a covenant with God’s creation that extends far beyond the Lenten season.

From Pilgrimage to Purpose

Aside from the Lourdes Grotto, the city is also home to other spiritual havens like the Our Lady of La Salette Quasi-Parish and the Padre Pio Mountain of Healing. These sites too, will host thousands of pilgrims, many of whom bring not just prayers but also plastic waste that too often remains behind after the last candle burns out.

To help pilgrims embrace a cleaner, greener journey of faith, the CSJDM and EcoWaste Coalition released practical, planet-friendly guidelines:

Bring water in reusable tumblers – Avoid single-use bottles and refill at water stations set up by civic groups.

Ditch single-use packaging – Bring baon in reusable containers or consume food that doesn’t come in disposable wrapping.

Pack your trash – If bins are full or unavailable, carry your waste home for proper disposal.

Use eco-bags – Especially when buying pasalubong or religious souvenirs. Say no to plastic.

Leave no trace – Keep the sacred grounds as pristine as when you arrived.

These are not just tips—they are expressions of love for community, country, and creation.

A Deeper Mission

Underpinning this initiative is Republic Act No. 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates waste segregation and volume reduction at source. It is a law too often ignored in public gatherings, but one that CSJDM takes seriously through partnerships with the DENR-EMB, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), EcoWaste Coalition, and other stakeholders—not just for Lenten activities, but also in tackling modern challenges like electronic waste.

As we observe Holy Week—a time of penance, reflection, and renewal—let us also renew our commitment to environmental justice.

Because a pilgrimage, no matter how sacred, loses its sanctity when marred by neglect. And true devotion is measured not only by how far we walk in prayer, but also by how gently we walk upon the Earth.

Let this Holy Week be remembered not only for the prayers whispered and candles lit, but for the shared promise kept: to leave nothing behind but faith, reverence, and respect.

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