By Ernie B. Esconde
SAMAL, Bataan, Sept. 6 (PNA) — A group of teenagers in this agricultural town began Saturday cleaning canals and will continue to do during Saturdays and Sundays until mud and other waste obstructing the flow of water in barangay Sta. Lucia are taken out.
”We are cleaning so that when strong rains come, there will be no floods and at the same time, we can avoid dengue,” said 18-year old Joyce Elvambuena, leader of the group.
Even at the slightest rains in the past, the canal in Sta. Lucia overflowed and caused flash flood along its street.
There is no dengue case recorded in the village but Elvambuena said it would be better to undertake the clean-up drive as deterrent against dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
The youngsters expressed the hope that they will be setting a good example in their village.
”To our barangaymates, we are appealing for them to help in cleaning canals to avoid floods and diseases,” she said.
Using shovel, the teenaged boys and girls cleared the canal of mud and other garbage. They voiced elation every time they found some coins with the mud.
Tricycle drivers cheered the group for initiating the clean-up. (PNA)