Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Leocadio Trovela spearheaded the simultaneous launch of the Department’s Barangay at Kalikasan Day (BarKaDa) community-based cleanup drive program and the celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16, in Barangay Tungkop, Minglanilla, Cebu.

The activity is in partnership with the Municipal Government of Minglanilla under the leadership of Mayor Atty. Rajiv Enad, DILG Sugbo headed by Provincial Director Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, and Barangay Tungkop led by Punong Barangay Jerome Cabiles.

In line with the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for “bayanihan”, the DILG launched the BarKaDa program to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment and prevent the spread of diseases through proper solid waste management.

“We call it BarKaDa para may resemblance of unity and collaboration. Timing wise, in terms of significance, this is in tandem with the celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup,” Trovela said, encouraging the barangays to meet every week to conduct BarKaDa cleanup drive.

Personnel from DILG Regional Office, DILG Sugbo Provincial Office, PNP, BFP, BJMP, 219th PCGA Squadron, non-government organizations, private sector, and the community also joined the activity.

Following the cleanup activities, Trovela and Lucero gave out 150 slippers and 50 packs of rice to purok leaders and residents in Barangay Tungkop to express their gratitude for maintaining the cleanliness in their surroundings.