by Aira Kissa Edduba and Arron Lucius B. Herbon
Residents of Brgy. Mayondon, Los Baños, Laguna, together with other volunteers, participated in the barangay-wide clean-up drive from 6am up to 9am on October 13.
Members of the Eldridge Army Reserve Corps, and volunteers sweep the canal and its surroundings during the clean-up drive in Brgy. Mayondon.
According to Barangay Secretary Rizalina Sapin, the clean-up drive was part of the Barangay Assembly Day every March and October which is mandated by the Department of Interior and Local Government. The activity encourages the residents to clean their surroundings in support of the “Tapat Mo, Linis Mo” program of the government.
“Napapanahon (itong clean-up) kasi nakikita mo naman, napakamadumi nitong kabuuang barangay,’” explained Sapin. She also added that the clean-up drive is part of the barangay’s preventive measure against dengue and chikungunya.
Barangay Councilor Emil Lontoc said that barangay officials are already doing regular clean-up drives even before.
“Yung aming paglilinis, pangkaraniwan na naming ginagawa yan. Noong mga nakaraang araw, tuwing Saturday, naglilinis talaga kami dito, yung mga taga-Sanggunian (barangay) lamang,” shared Lontoc.
Greg Flores, a resident of Mayondon, sees the clean-up drive as also beneficial in initiating unity among volunteers for the cleanliness of the barangay.
“Sa paglilinis at pagkakaisa, gumaganda (ang barangay),” Flores said.
Residents, and volunteers from different local organizations also join the clean up drive.
On the other hand, Sgt. Angelo Dumo of the Eldridge Reserve Army Corps explained that their participation in clean-up drives focuses on cleanliness awareness and disaster prevention.
The Sangguniang Barangay of Mayodon facilitated the activity, in cooperation with 1-GANAP Partylist, Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI), Patrol Assistance Rescue and Community Services (PARACS) Los Baños Chapter, Eldridge Reserve Army Corps, Philippine National Police (PNP) Los Baños, and Community Health Team-Los Baños.