By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – Public and private partnership was evident in the recently concluded cleanup drive spearheaded by the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army (PA) at Barangay White Beach here.
Armed with brooms, empty sacks, and baskets, Tabak personnel and barangay residents worked together to promote environmental sanitation and cleanliness.
The cleanup drive is part of the month-long activities lined up for the 78th founding anniversary of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, which ran from April 7 –May 7.
Tabak commander MGen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr., in his message, said “it is very important for the residents to maintain environmental sanitation and cleanliness for a healthy environment.”
Trinidad said foreign and domestic tourists are the first people to notice the surrounding of White Beach upon landing at the airport since the barangay is very near the airport.
“Kung malinis ang paligid nito, hindi lang ito nakikipagbigay kalusugan ng mga tao kundi marami rin mga turistang mahihikayat na magpunta at eventually, ito ay maka-generate ng income sa inyong barangay (If your surrounding is clean, it will not only provide good health to the people but many tourists would be enticed to visit the place, giving additional income to your barangay),” Trinidad explained.
“Kahit ang activity na ito ay maliit lamang na bagay pero sa kabuuan ay malaki ang maidulot na ginhawa para sa atin ang cleanliness. Ika nga, ‘ang malaking bagay ay nag-uumpisa sa maliit na bagay’. At kahit maliit na kontribusyon ang nagawa ng mga sundalo ito ay nakapagbibigay ng kaginhawaan ng mga mamamayan (Although this activity is a very small thing but eventually we shall reap the benefits of cleanliness.
As the saying goes, ‘big thing starts with a small thing’. Though the contribution made by the soldiers is small, it redounds to the welfare of the people),” Trinidad added.
For his part, Barangay Captain Rey Rabanos was grateful that the cleanup drive was held at their barangay, saying “Nalipay kao pag-ayo sa dakong pagpakabana nga gihimo sa mga sundalo nga mitabang sa among mga mulupyo paglimpyo sa palibot sa among barangay. Dili matukib ang kalipay nga among gibati sa ilang serbisyo nga gihatag atol sa gipahigayon nga clean up drive.
(I am very happy about the great concern shown by the soldiers who helped our residents in cleaning our surroundings. We cannot fathom our happiness for the services you have rendered during the cleanup drive.)
More than a hundred of tons of garbage had been collected by the Tabak troopers and the residents during the activity.