Simultaneous cleaning and greening activities across the province marked the celebration of the 121st Foundation Day of Rizal Province or the "Araw ng Lalawigan," named after national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on Saturday, June 11.
Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, who is currently the acting mayor of Angono, said municipal wide cleaning of the waterways, sidewalks, and streets were conducted by the town’s General Services Office (GSO) and village personnel.
Sacks of dried leaves and soil were collected by GSO personnel during the early morning clean up on the sidewalk in Mahabang Parang in Angono, Rizal.
In Binangonan, the cleaning and greening drive started with a simple ceremony at Purok 7 in Gondra’s Ville, Barangay Ithan, Binangonan.
The drive was led by Dr. Rose Martha Ynares, the wife of Mayor Cesar Ynares and leader of the group, Barkadahan ng Kababaihan sa Binangonan.
Members and officers of the Binangonan River Rehabilitation Council Clean and Green Advocates Club Philippines of Barangay Pila Pila were among the non-government organizations that joined the pro-environment activities on June 11.
Jennifer Recio, the municipal environment officer of Binangonan, said the 40 villages in Binangonan each had separate activities simultaneous with the clean-up and tree planting events in Barangay Ithan.
Some 121 saplings of fruit bearing trees including marang, guyabano, rambutan, sampaloc, and cacao were planted during the activity in Barangay Ithan activity.
Provincial Agriculturist, Dr. Reynaldo Bonita told Manila Bulletin that the provincial government personnel also joined the tree planting activities in their respective homes as encouraged by Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares.