Barangay clean-up drive kicks off

By Jovi T. De Leon
Saturday, July 23, 2011
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The synchronized barangay cleanliness campaign of the National Government was launched with the cleaning of the Lourdes Creek here on Saturday.
The project is in line with the Manila Bay Clean Up, Rehabilitation and Preservation Project implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Hundreds of officials, employees, policemen, soldiers and representatives from all regional agencies led by the DILG, including the City Government of San Fernando, were armed with rakes, brooms, green bags, when they stormed the creek.
The volunteers were backed up by heavy equipment from the Department of Public Works and Highways in cleaning connecting creeks and waterways in Barangays Lourdes and Sto. Nino.
The clean-up drive, which will now be conducted every first and last Saturday of each month, is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Manila Bay rehabilitation.
“Since all these waste that flow into our local water channels are interconnected and eventually end up at Manila Bay, it is time we implement the Supreme Court ruling. This is not only for government agencies, but is a concerted effort which we at DILG will monitor,” said DILG Regional Director Florida Dijan.
Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, who welcomed the participants, said it must not remain “for show” and “ningas cogon” as the National Government led by President Benigno Aquino III is serious in implementing the regular barangay clean-up.
“Lahat tayo ay bahagi nito at lahat ay gagalaw. The rehabilitation of Manila Bay and all our waterways, as well as the preservation of the environment is everybody’s concern, including the President who is very serious in its implementation,” Rodriguez said.
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on July 24, 2011.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/07/23/barangay-clean-drive-kicks-168645