By Rosallie R. Hulipas
MANGALDAN – The campaign for environmental protection led by no less than the Chief Executive of this town, Mayor Herminio Romero was staged triumphantly along the main thoroughfares of Poblacion on September 23, 2011. HERO found mammoth support from the Sangguniang Bayan Members led by Vice Mayor Bernardo Abalos, all Department Heads and Employees of the municipality from the local and national levels.
Mayor Herminio Romero (2nd from right) leads the rally for environmental protection along the main thoroughfares of Barangay Poblacion.
The Poblacion Barangay Council headed by its chieftain, PB Samuel Villanueva, Poblacion Barangay Tanods, Poblacion Barangay Health Workers, employees of Mangaldan Water District under General Manager Engr. Marcelo Petonio, Mangaldan PNP headed by P/Supt. Mateo Casupang, some Nursing students of the University of Pangasinan and student leaders of Mangaldan National High School also manifested warm support to said campaign with a beautifully coined theme: Taga-Mangaldan Ka… Mi-biang Ka… parad “KALIKASAN” 2011 (You are From Mangaldan…Take Part… for the “Environment” 2011).
Wearing their respective uniforms (mostly colored t-shirts with catchwords and phrases of green and ecological themes) and protective gears, the environmental advocates blared out significant “noise” for action. They carried posters and placards with slogans enjoining all Mangaldanians to join the noble cause. Some crusaders even wore shirts covered with leaves and other materials found around the environment if only to voice out their calls for environmental protection. Others brought sacks, garbage bags, forceps and other cleaning materials to demonstrate their appeal.
“It’s time we go out and educate our own kabaleyans (town mates) about proper waste segregation, waste reduction, recycling, composting, clean-up drives, tree planting and greening of our environment. Let us gain the support of our people through this activity” says Mayor Romero in his speech during the short program held in front of the Municipal Hall before the rally. It would be noted that the environmentalist mayor has been distributing seedlings annually since 2004. (See related story.)
On the same vein, Vice Mayor Abalos pointed out, “We are all Mangaldanians hence we have to be part of this endeavor for our environment. If we will not do it nobody will do it for us. If we will not love, clean and protect our environment, nobody will do it for us.” Coun. Alberto Leo Fabia, SB Chairman for Environment, Waste Management and Pollution Control, likewise persuaded everyone to act now before it would be too late.
BOODLE FIGHT. The successful rally for environmental protection finished off with a boodle fight prepared by the LGU through the Accounting Office, GSO and HRMO. This is the second time that Mayor Romero hosted such kind of activity. The first one was a joint-activity with the Association of Meat Entrepreneurs of Mangaldan (AMEM).
Mayor Herminio A. Romero (right) and Vice Mayor Bernardo C. Abalos (left) gamely lead LGU employees and all pro-environmental enthusiasts in a boodle fight at the municipal motor pool after the rally for Kalikasan.
This time, all pro-environment enthusiasts shared a delectable meal of lechon, chicken-pork adobo, stir fried Baguio vegetable, bananas, fried galunggong (big-bellied round scad) and rice piled on top of banana leaves. By eating on the same table with their bare hands, patterned after the Military style of eating, Mangaldanians have exhibited unity, solidarity and teamwork for Mother Earth.
BEST SLOGAN. One of the highlights of the rally for Kalikasan was the Best Slogan Contest. The participants’ placards with slogans were judged on the following criteria: 70% for originality, relevance and adherence to Kalikasan theme; 20% for clarity of message, construction and rhyme; and 10% for presentation and overall impact.
The Board of Judges: Dr. Teresita Cera (Chairman), Dr. Jupiter Petilla and Jonas Dizon (Members) picked out one of the entries from the Treasury Office as the best slogan which reads – “Pian malimgas so Mangaldan, Sarilin dili so panggapuan, Aliguas na baley so nagamoran. Abante Mangaldan!”
The Treasury department got Php 3,000.00 cash prize. Entries from the Cooperative and Population Offices won the second and third prize respectively and were rewarded Php 2,000.00 and Php 1,000.00 respectively. The awarding ceremony was held at the Municipal Grounds on September 26, 2011 during the Monday Ritual and Closing Program of the 111th Anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service Commission.
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