1st Cavalry Squadron conducts cleanup drive in Tukuran town

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 17): 1st Cavalry Squadron conducts cleanup drive in Tukuran town

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur -- Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day with their respective families on Saturday, the officers and men of the 1st 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 1st Cavalry Squadron under the leadership of the newly installed battalion commander Lt. Col. Charlemagne Batayola Jr. had conducted the said activity to help protect, preserve and sustain the environment by joining 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.

“Nalipay ako nga kini nga kalihokan gihimo dinhi sa among barangay aron dili lamang malimpyo ang palibot sa among beach kung dili among mahimamat usab ang mga sundalo nga nagpasiugda ning maong kalihokan . Una kini nga higayon nga naay grupo sa mga nagpakabanang tawo nga naghimo ug clean 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 Bucol said he participated in the cleanup activity because it is his personal commitment to help the Philippine Army in its environmental preservation and conservation programs.

“Miapil ko sa clean up drive dili tungod kay required kini sa among ROTC Military Science subject apan ako kini nga commitment nga makatabang sa Philippine 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 1st Cavalry Squadron members in the clean up drive.

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

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371424145944/1st-cavalry-squadron-conducts-cleanup-drive-in-tukuran-town