San Fernando, Pampanga LGU teams up with PLDT-Smart to clean the creek of unhealthy and unsightly garbage, dumped in the stagnant water. After the clean-up drive, the creek now looks and smells a lot better.

People used to avoid the Sto. Rosario Creek in San Fernando, Pampanga because of the unsightly garbage and its stench.

Employees and other volunteers from PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications opted to improve the situation by initiating and implementing a thorough clean-up drive, in partnership with the San Fernando Pampanga local government unit (LGU).

According to PLDT-Smart Regional Customer Development – Luzon Senior Manager George Loyola, Jr., “It is very important to PLDT and Smart to protect and enrich our environment, particularly in the areas where we operate.”

“This is the why when San Fernando City Administrator Atty. Atlee Viray requested PLDT to clean up the creek in line with public-private partnership,  we immediately heeded the request and implemented the clean-up drive,” Loyola added.

Loyola said the creek has become an eyesore because of the heaps of garbage, consisting of plastic materials and other debris, dumped in the stagnant water by  residents living nearby. The solid wastes also cause perennial flooding during the rainy season.

To further help the LGU sustain their environmental cleanliness efforts, the PLDT-Smart team also plans to organize an education drive for the residents who live near the creek to teach them proper sanitation, hygiene, and environmental protection so they can have better and healthier lives amid clean and pleasant surroundings.

The initiative is part of a broader program of PLDT and Smart to help and assist in the needs of the communities where they operate.