MANILA—Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Monday lauded Okada's Cove Manila and other establishments for cancelling their scheduled balloon drop event for New Year's Eve.

Cimatu said Okada's decision to cancel its attempt to break a world record sets a precedent that other firms in and out of the country should emulate.

“It is with much gratitude that they listened not only to our request, but also to the call of our people, to be mindful of the impact of their activities on the environment,” Cimatu said.

Cove Manila scratched its planned balloon drop after several groups slammed the event that according to them will only generate a huge amount of waste.

• Okada cancels balloon drop event amid public criticism

Other establishments like the Peninsula Manila followed suit and said it will no longer have its balloon drop "as it is not in keeping with our sustainable luxury vision 2020 philosophy."

Meanwhile, the DENR called the public to just enjoy the firework displays in their communities instead of lighting firecrackers and pyrotechnics in their houses