The Green Cities’ Earth Day

     Kool Earth Organization, the environmental Arm of the Aklan Medical Society  and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources teamed up in this year’s Earth Day celebration. The theme of 2014’s Earth Day is ‘Green Cities.’

    Despite the demanding schedule of the Kool Earth members, they put a day aside to support this noble project.

     The LGU employees presented themselves to Mr. Efren Trinidad, Assistant Administrative Officer II, as early as six a m., whilst  the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary together with members of SEALS and RESCUE, presented themselves to Capt. Pete Ruiz PCGA, Squadron Commander and to Mr. Terence Toriano of the MMRDO. Members of the public such as the KATROPA, the KACLA  tricycle drivers association and many more unexpected supporters also came in droves. Other participants were inspired to present themselves to the assembled groups upon hearing the request of the KE president over the radio.

     Each group was  deployed to the respective parts of the town by six thirty in the morning . Places cleaned were as follows: the bank of the Aklan River, M. and C Laserna Sts. F. Quimpo St, XIX Martyrs St, Veterans Avenue St., N. Roldan St, Toting Reyes St., Oyo Torong St. and Mabini St., corner Roxas Avenue to Crossing Buswang.

 For the second part of the event, Mayor William Lachica warmly greeted the participants.  His brief message of encouragement was followed by an  Environmental Forum and a film  depicting  Yolanda tragedy. This  was  held at the third floor of the Municipal town hall. Members of the 4P’s who were in the same building  were invited to joined in. KE President believes that it is not only through cleaning all nooks and crannies of the town that is needed but by constantly educating people through information dissemination that the residents of this town can be made aware of their responsibility not just to themselves but to others.

     Legal Information officer, Atty. Ai ai  dela Cruz-Rivera, discussed the Municipal Ordinance No 2009-004 together with its provisions and the Municipal ordinance 2013-006, an ordinance regulating the use of plastic bags and styro foam and prescribing  fee on its use in the municipality.

       Ms. Quadra showed her appreciation to the successful result of Earth Day Celebration and to the effort that the LGU and Kool Earth put together to make this event a fruitful one. Mayor Lachica also encouraged Kalibonhons to practice daily clean up drive on their doorsteps and surroundings and dispose of their garbage in their right places.

      The next day, Wednesday 23^rd, thirty five members  of ambulant vendors headed by Mr. Johnny ‘Boy’ Samenio, picked up where we left off on Tuesday. It was inspiring to see selfless people like these who sacrificed their time so they could serve their town. Someone said that in this modern day the word sacrifice is a scary business because sacrifice means losing or letting go of something that you dearly treasure but in this occasion the volunteers who participated in the beautification and clean up drive of Kalibo on these two days running, gave their precious time without any murmur but with a smile and a happy heart.

     This project did not end here because on April 28 the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in the Kalibo International Airport, did their Earth Day participation headed by their manageress  Ms. Cynthia Aspera. Ms Aspera was recently assigned in Kalibo but  people of Pook  and the surrounding areas could see changes, slowly and hopefully surely to continue.

     Appreciation and gratitude is being sent to Barangay Estancia, the only barangay that did their clean up drive in conjunction with the Earth Day Celebration.

 

     Congratulations Kalibonhon. Let us continue what we have started so we can leave a green city to our children’s children.