300 Soldiers Clean Bikol River for Peñafrancia Fiesta

PILI, Camarines Sur, Sept. 7 - At least 300 Philippine Army soldiers cleaned over the weekend the Naga City Bikol River in preparation for the week-long feast of Bikolandia's Our Lady of Peñafrancia set on the second week of September.

Lt. Col. Erwin De Asis, the 9th Infantry Division's Civilian-Military Operations (CMO) officer, said the clean up drive covered some two kilometers stretch of the Naga River where a fluvial procession would be held in observance of the Virgin of Peñafrancia popularly known as "Ina" among Bikolanos.

De Asis said the soldiers were armed not with rifles and machine guns, but with bolos, rakes and shovels that cleared the river bank starting at 8 AM, Saturday.

"It is our commitment to throw our full support behind the organizers of the Peñafrancia festival for the various preparations prior to the fluvial parade along this river stretch. Our soldiers cleared the floating debris, thrashes and shrubs starting from Tabuco village up to Balatas village where the Basilica is located," said De Asis.

Soldiers were in high spirits as they carried out their "clearing operations" the whole day.

Lt. Col Epimaco Macalisang, the ground commander during the activity, was very proud for his group's humble contribution to the event, saying "I am from Mindanao but it is my honor to be part of this once-in-a lifetime big celebration marking the 300th year of the Peñafrancia Festival,"

Macalisang said, "Imagine, the others would have to wait 100 years to mark another century of devotion to our INA (Mother Mary). I am very proud to be part of this historic celebration."

The clean up activity was fully supported by the Naga City government and the local officials of the villages along the river.

Traditionally, soldiers were involved in the annual Peñafrancia festivities by providing security during the the Traslacion (procession) and the fluvial parade.

Hundreds of soldiers were also placed on standby to support the local police in its security operations. A contingent of Army personnel forms part of the Joint Operations Center which oversees the various festivities.

Naga City braces for the coming of millions of devotees in the second week of this month for the 300th year of devotion to the Lady of Peñafrancia. (PNA)