Employees of the local government, police, and volunteer groups gathered at the Mangaldan Public Market to conduct a cleanup drive.

They swept through the market, collecting garbage and removing piles of sand that had reached parts of the marketplace.

“Puspusan ang ginagawa ng LGU kasi talagang nakita natin na maraming kalat,” Gerry Ydia, Chief of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) in Mangaldan, said.

After almost two hours, the results were clear: a cleaner and safer public market.

Market vendors praised the effort but requested that cleanups be done more often, especially in flood-prone areas like drainage canals.

“Nakakasira kasi na maraming basura. Iniiwan din minsan ng mga namimili. Sana araw-araw ang paglilinis,” Jean Lavarias, a vendor, said.

Ydia assured that the LGU schedules cleaning crews daily. However, he reminded vendors and customers to do their part in keeping the market clean.

“Sinasabi namin na sana linisin din nila ang tapat nila,” he added.