SOME 300 volunteers representing 30 civic, professional and non-governmental organizations, including schools, joined the World Cleanup Day on September 17 by cleaning the shoreline of Sampalok Lake in San Pablo City.
The event was initiated by i-CARE, a Facebook-based informal organization whose objective is to promote cleanliness of San Pablo City, known for its seven lakes.
Serving as coordinators were Mandy Marino, owner of Café Lago; Emily Tajo, chairman of Friends of Rodrigo Duterte (FoRD); Gerlyn Ferrer, owner of Blue Danube School; and Rolly Inciong, president of Academia de San Ignacio de Loyola (Asil).
Inspirational speaker at the opening ceremony was Msgr. Gerry Bitoon, vicar general of the Catholic Church in Laguna. A known environmental advocate, Bitoon called on the citizens to sustain their love for the environment through cleanliness campaigns; appealed to the residents to keep their surroundings clean at all times; and challenged the city government to strengthen law enforcement on cleanliness and environmental protection.
San Pablo City Mayor Loreto Amante responded by announcing that the city government will deputize citizens to assist in law enforcement in the lakes area. He appealed to the citizens to continue their partnership with the city government in its development efforts.
Laguna Vice Gov. Karen Agapay, a resident of San Pablo City, was among the volunteers. Some 100 fisherfolks living in the Sampalok Lake area participated in the cleanup. Organizations and schools represented in the event include Café Lago, FoRD, Blue Danube, Asil, Interact Club of Asil, Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservists Command, Rotary Club of San Pablo, Rotary Club of San Pablo City Central, Kiwanis Siete Lagos, Kiwanis Lake City, Kiwanis Buklod San Pablo, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-San Pablo City Inc., Seven Lakes Lions, Lake City Lions, Emerald Lions, Lions Host, Apex Club, Apex Women’s Club, San Pablo Bar Association, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Free and Accepted Masons, San Pablo City Force Multipliers, Friends of Seven Lakes Foundation, Guardians, Muslim Brotherhood, San Pablo Medical Society, Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Quezon Sniper 135/150/X1R Riders, Public Schools Teachers Association and Police Hotline Movement.