Infanta launches weekly "Bayanihan Day" for community-driven progress

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Infanta Mayor L.A. Ruanto signs the executive order officially declaring every Saturday as "Infantanin Bayanihan...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Infanta Mayor L.A. Ruanto signs the executive order officially declaring every Saturday as "Infantanin Bayanihan Day," formalizing the municipality's commitment to community-driven progress and unity. (L.A. RUANTO/FB)

INFANTA, Quezon - A cleaner, more united Infanta is the vision of Mayor Lord Arnel "L.A." Ruanto, and to achieve this, he has set every Saturday aside for community action. He has signed an executive order establishing every Saturday as "Infantanin Bayanihan Day," an initiative designed to harness the Filipino spirit of "Bayanihan"—communal unity, work, and cooperation—to accelerate municipal development, peace, and prosperity in Infanta, Quezon.

Issued in July 2023, the order formalizes a long-standing tradition of community-driven efforts for civic affairs. This new directive is firmly rooted in legal frameworks, including the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160), which empowers local government units to promote general welfare and cultural enrichment.



It also aligns with DILG Circular Memorandum Circular No. 2023-017, advocating for localized volunteer and citizenship programs. Mayor Ruanto explicitly encourages every citizen to demonstrate discipline through environmental cleanliness, underscoring the immediate impact of this initiative.

"Infantanin Bayanihan Day," also referred to as "Volunteers Day," will involve key municipal offices, including the Municipal Planning and Development Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources, Municipal Health Office, Municipal Engineering Office, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).

Recent activities have already seen volunteers conduct clean-ups at the port of Barangay Dinahican, followed by other beautification efforts across various areas in town. The executive order explicitly states that the primary goal is to foster progress and development in the municipality, with all stakeholders working together to attain "sustainable goals of unity, progress, peace, and prosperity."

This encompasses a wide range of activities, from environmental clean-ups and community gardening to infrastructure minor repairs and assistance in social welfare programs. Mayor Ruanto emphasized, "It's time to act together for a better and cleaner community."

The program is designed to be flexible, allowing barangays to identify and address their most pressing local needs through collective action. Every Saturday, the mayor's office will designate specific areas for cleaning, organizing, and beautifying, with the active participation of officials, residents, and anyone else who wishes to contribute.

This broad inclusion aims to foster a truly collaborative effort, reflecting the municipality's commitment to inclusive governance. "This is not just a day for tasks — it is a day of unity," Mayor Ruanto stressed, encouraging Infanta residents to unite and demonstrate the true spirit of "pagkakabayanihan."

He emphasized that this initiative will transform collective will into tangible actions that benefit every resident, embodying the municipality's rallying cry, "Infantanin, Kaya Natin!". The ultimate goal is to enhance public services, improve environmental conditions, strengthen public morals, and cultivate a deeper sense of shared responsibility among the town's more than 76,000 residents, promoting not only physical order but also stronger relationships and mutual concern.