Cotabato city joins in coastal clean-up day

COTABATO City — Dozens of city government officials and employees, barangay officials, and other line agencies headed to the Barangay Kalanganan II of this city to join in the simultaneous conduct of the International Coastal Clean Up Day.

Following the directive from the Department of Interior and Local Government, each government office conducted clean up activities and also provided necessary materials and equipments for proper waste collection and disposal. Aside from the clean up activity, the city government also planted mangroves and other trees and plants at the area.

Barangay Kalangan II is one of the main sources of the mud crab, the tasty crab variety that is being caught in the wild here in Cotabato City. Mangroves are known to be their habitat and in order to ensure these crabs will propagate, more mangroves need to be planted and secured in the area.

Acting City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has also instructed those from other barangays to conduct the “linis bayan,” a regular activity of the city government wherein the employees, the barangays, and the households are enjoined to cleaning up their surroundings and support the solid waste management program of the local government.

“Cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility and we have to make sure our surroundings are clean and well taken care of because a neat and orderly environment is one of the keys to a healthy body. This is what we are promoting—to be clean, to be healthy, and to take care of our environment”, she said.

Just this month, the city government has also launched the program “Paligid ko, Nililinis Ko” that aims to encourage every Cotabatenio to segregate their waste materials, throw their garbage properly, and to regularly keep their household and surroundings clean. (Teng Datu)