“It’s a tremendous support from the community — new faces joined us,” said Dandan Neighborhood Watch Task Force block captain Frank B. Camacho.
Of the 15 residents who joined, eight were first-timers in the cleanup campaign that involved cutting grass and trees, Camacho said.
“It’s [volunteerism] spreading through word of mouth,” he added.
Camacho said their group was originally organized to deter village-level crimes, but after a series of meetings and consultations, residents decided to revitalize the neglected children’s park.
After the park cleanup, Camacho said their group will restore the water and power supply which were cut after the copperwire and water lines were either destroyed or stolen.
“Government money was used for this park that is supposed to be enjoyed by the children and the community. But nobody followed up to take care of it,” he said.
“We have to move together for our children’s park to be enjoyed by everybody.”
Camacho said three years after the children’s park was constructed, it was vandalized and turned into a huge dump area.
He noted that about 300 families reside in Dandan.
Camacho thanked Eric Cruz who provided a backhoe and two personnel to operate the machine during the cleanup.
Camacho also thanked “first-timers” Mr. and Mrs. Eli Buenaventura, Elton Escaros, Alvin Diestro, Jude Palacios, Ben Matagolai, Walter Indalencio and Mitch Aaron.
The core members who joined the cleanup were Jun Boom Camacho, Lillian Kosam, Vicky Esparos, Luzviminda Domingo, Nunu Sanchez, Ben Cepeda and Joe Deleon Guerrero (Rai).
Camacho said their group is also urging fellow Dandan residents to clean their surroundings.
