Patikul, Sulu (9 February) -- Due to the pressing concern on solid waste management problem in Metro Jolo-Indanan-Patikul (JIP) area, Governor Abdusakur M. Tan spearheaded the launching of a week-long "operation maglanuh" (clean-up) last Thursday.

At hand at the launching ceremonies held at the façade of the Provincial Capitol were the JIP Municipal Mayors: Hussin Amin, of Jolo; Hussin Ahajan of Indanan; and Kabir Hayudini, of Patikul. Also present to give their full support for the clean-up program were MGen. Juancho Sabban, Commander of Joint Task Force Comet; and Major Larry Daley, Commanding Officer of Task Force Sulu.

Gov. Tan thank the crowd of a thousand participants who showed up for the concerted effort in cleaning the urban center of the province. Among the crowd were students from different schools, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, religious groups, government line agencies, employees from the provincial and municipal governments, and men in uniform.

Expounding on the program theme "Basura Makamula, Maglanuh Magsama-sama, Magad ha dan sin Agama" (Garbage can harm, let's clean together, and follow the patch of our faith), Gov. Tan said that working together is the best way of increasing the awareness and involvement of all sectors of Lupag Sug in the proper management of solid waste and in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation of their surroundings.

Taking the opportunity of the occasion, the Governor also condemn the perpetuators of local criminal activities, who are continuously destroying the image of the Tausogs and Lupag Sug as a whole. He was referring to the abductors of the humanitarian workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Speaking in the native tongue, Gov. Tan told his audience that if they can clean their surroundings, they also have to show to the world that they can clean up their society of criminal elements.

He concluded his message with a call for an all out support for the creation of the Civilian Emergency Forces (CEF) to assist the men in uniform in maintaining peace and security efforts in Sulu.

The week-long Operation Maglanuh program will culminate with a summit meeting of the Governor with the Metro JIP Mayors and all sector-partners of the program. The success of the activity and how to sustain the program are expected to be tackled.