Malacañang reminded the public to dispose of 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.
"Gawin natin ito at ituro sa ating mga bata (Let us do that and teach it to our children)," he added.
According to Roque, celebrating Earth Day was important because it is a reminder to people to take care of the environment.
"Ito ay isang espesyal na araw para ipaalala ang kahalagahan na alagaan at protektahan ang Inang Kalikasan para sa susunod na henerasyon (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.
"Ang Pilipinas ay isa sa most vulnerable na bansa sa epekto ng climate change. Dahil dito, ang issue ng climate change ay relevant sa Pilipinas (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 added.
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 gas emission mitigation, and climate change adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.
In 2018, Duterte blamed global warming and climate change on Western countries, saying they echoed the call for a global effort to address climate change only after witnessing their actions' impact on the environment.