1stCavalry Squadron conducts cleanup drive in Tukuran town

By Gideon C. Corgue

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur – Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day with their respective families on Saturday, the officers and men of the 1^st Cavalry Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA) conducted a cleanup drive in barangay Lower Bayao here to show love for our environment.

Civil-Military Operations Officer Capt. Mae Budlong said the event was part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or “Bayanihan”. “It also aims to engage all sectors in addressing environmental issues,” she added.

Budlong said the 1^st Cavalry Squadron under the leadership of the newly installed battalion commander Lt. Col. Charlemagne BatayolaJr. had conducted the said activityto help protect, preserve and sustain the environment byjoining and supporting environmental campaigns.

“These simple acts of community service can very well serve the residents of the barangay,” she stressed.

For her part, Barangay Captain Esnaira Chavez expressed her gratitude that the cleanup drive was held in her barangay.

“Nalipayakongakiningakalihokangihimodinhi sa among barangay arondililamangmalimpyoangpalibot sa among beach kungdili among mahimamatusabangmgasundalonganagpasiugdaningmaongkalihokan.Unakiningahigayonnganaaygruposamganagpakabanangtawonganaghimougclean up drive dinhi sa among dapit,”Chavez said.

(I am happy that this activity was held in our barangay not only to make our beach clean but mingle with the soldiers initiating it. This is the first time that a group of dedicated persons conducted a cleanup drive in our place.)

Cadet Colonel Willy Bucolsaid he participated in the cleanup activity because it is his personal commitment to help the Philippine Army in itsenvironmentalpreservation and conservation programs.

“Miapil ko sa clean up drive dilitungod kay required kini sa among ROTC Military Science subject apanakokininga commitment ngamakatabang saPhilippine Army sa ilang environmental preservation and conservation programs (I join the clean up drive not because it is required in our ROTC Military Science subject but it is my commitment to help the Philippine Army in their environmental preservation and conservation programs),” Bucol said.

Bucol led the 19 ROTC cadets in assisting the 1^st Cavalry Squadron members in the clean up drive.

The activity is in collaboration with the barangay officials, 1^st Field Artillery Battalion, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets of Western Mindanao University-External Studies Unit (WMSU-ESU).