The DILG’s KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas Program National Showcase took center stage last June 22, 2024, Saturday, in Barangay Corazon de Jesus, as part of the month-long festivities for San Juan City’s Wattah Wattah Festival Celebration. Heading the showcase were DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Felicito Valmocina, DILG Assistant Secretary for Community Participation Elizabeth Lopez de Leon, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, and DILG San Juan City Director Adrian J. Lopez, CESE. Representing the City of San Juan were Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili and Punong Barangay Medardo Cabubas Jr of Barangay Corazon de Jesus.
Punong Barangay Medardo Cabubas, Jr. warmly welcomed the crowd as he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase their barangay. He enjoined everyone in the community to take their part in supporting the program of the national government.
In the overview of the KALINISAN Program, LGOO IV Juan Felipe of DILG San Juan Field Office reiterated that the program aims for a unified action of all stakeholders towards clean communities.
San Juan City Vice Mayor Atty. Angelo Agcaoili affirmed the LGU’s support to the initiative, highlighting the importance of a clean environment for a person’s overall well-being: “Tunay po naman talagang napakasarap ng pakiramdam ‘pag malinis ang ating kapaligiran, hindi ho ba? Kaya panatilihin po nating malinis ang kabayanan, ang ating papamahay, ang ating mga bakuran, at ang ating mga kalsada.”
DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Felicito Valmocina, then emphasized that the whole of government approach is essential in resolving the concerns of the nation.
“Yung bayanihan, yung volunteerism, napakahalaga po nun sapagkat ‘pag walang malasakit ang mamamayan at hindi magtutulungan ang mga ahensya ay walang mangyayari. Kaya ang panawagan po namin, ipatupad po natin ang kalinisan at kaayusan, magtanim ng gulay, at magtanim ng kahoy sapagkat yan po ang solusyon sa problema natin ngayon.”
Through the convergence of 350 volunteers from various barangays, civic society organizations, the DILG, and partner agencies (MMDA, PNP, BPF, BJMP, and DENR), about 131.6 kilograms of waste was removed from the streets and alleys of the barangay. Concurrently, HAPAG (Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay) Project and MMDA’s Mobile MRF “Recyclables Mo, Palit Grocery Ko” were also showcased in the event.