Abalos wants habit of cleanliness instilled in youth

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. is urging parents to instill the habit of cleanliness in the youth as the government gears up its clean-up drives.

He said it is the role of parents and communities to teach children the value of cleanliness toward the progression of the country.

“Cleanliness is an aspect that is best started while we are young. The children – let us tell them not to throw trash just anywhere. Let’s make this a way of life… it starts in the barangay, in all of us. Let us help each other, let us make a difference,” Abalos said during the clean-up activity headed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

He noted that households can instill good habits and values in children through continuous initiatives, such as the weekly Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan (KALINISAN) clean-up activity.

Abalos lauded local officials of San Pedro in Laguna for ensuring that clean-up activities are done every week in every barangay in the city.

“I am pleased that you have made this a weekly activity. Governance is the core of a good society,” he said, adding that an excellent leader can draw his constituents toward an advocacy.