By Jason De Asis/PNA
BALER, Aurora — About 500 volunteers on Saturday participated in the province-wide cleanup activity, particularly along the beaches here frequented by tourists.
The Aurora Provincial Police Office (APPO) spearheaded the clean-up campaign themed “Best practice of the PNP’s Environmental Care and Drive Against Lawbreakers (PEDAL)” for friendly and eco-balanced tourist destinations.
“We are doing this in order to attract more tourists and raise public awareness on environmental care and protection and to forge strong partnership between PNP and the community as a whole,” said Senior Supt. Cosme A. Abrenica, APPO provincial director.
“Local and foreign tourists continue to visit this province and that’s the reason why local officials and the people of Aurora should take care of our coastal beaches since this province is known for surfing and nature’s gateway in Central Luzon,” he said.
He called on the people of Aurora to renew their commitment to preserve the oceans as Baler in Aurora is known as a surf haven facing the Pacific Ocean.
Abrenica said he was overwhelmed by the number of participants who joined the campaign.
Local officials and employees of the provincial government of Aurora, soldiers from 91st Infantry Battalion; members of the Kabalikat Civicom; Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association ; Army’s Aurora Ready Reserve Command; Aurora Philippine National Police (PNP) Press Corps; Noble Blue Falcons Environmentalists; Bureau of Fire Protection, the local government of Baler; Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI); and Aurora Surf Riders Association Inc. (ASRAI), all showed up to pick up trash and debris along the shoreline of the Sabang beach, Baler’s most notable surfing spot.
