VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) -- Residents of Amianance village in this city participated in a clean-up drive on Feb. 17 in support of the “Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas” program initiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to address waste mismanagement and promote clean communities nationwide, the Kalinisan or “Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan” program was launched to promote proper waste management, encourage public participation, motivate local government units (LGU) to invest in related programs and establish a recognition system for the cleanest LGU.

The DILG said this was the second leg of its Regional Showcase Barangays for the Barangay at Kalinisan Day (BarKaDa) Clean-up Activity in the Ilocos Region, a component of the Kalinisan program that encourages weekly clean-up drives in all villages nationwide.

Residents of Barangay Amianance, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, along with officials and staff of various government agencies, take part in the clean-up drive under the "Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas" program. (PIA photo)

A total of 150 sacks of garbage, weighing 300 kg, were collected in Amianance village. 

“We selected Barangay Amianance due to its proximity to the Mestizo River, which tends to overflow during heavy rains. Also, it was one of the communities that suffered severe damage during Super Typhoon Egay in July 2023,” said Provincial Director Randy dela Rosa.

Barangay captain Jason Tejano said some of his constituents have not fully recovered from the effects of Egay.

"We conduct a clean-up activity every third Sunday of the month to maintain cleanliness in our barangay as we believe that a clean barangay helps prevent illnesses, especially among children. We fully support the Kalinisan program and encourage the residents of our barangay to continue the weekly clean-up drive," said Tejano.

Constante Benzon, Federation President of the Association of Barangay Councils in Ilocos Sur, also assured the support of the villages in the province to the Kalinisan program.

Barangay officials and youth leaders of the city, officials, and staff of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the DILG and its attached agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) also joined the clean-up drive.

Another clean-up drive is scheduled to take place in Ilocos Sur on Feb. 24. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)