Luneta caretakers ask Pinoys to keep park clean during New Year festivities

As they cleaned up the mess left by many Filipino families who celebrated Christmas Eve and early Christmas Day there, caretakers at the Rizal Park in Manila appealed to the public keep the park clean when they come back to take part in New Year's Eve activities on Dec. 31.

"Kung maari ay ituring ng ating kababayan na sariling bahay nila [ang park]. Sa sariling bahay natin ayaw natin ng marumi. Hinihingi natin ang kanilang cooperation sa pagpapaganda ng ating pambansang parke," National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) spokesman Kenneth Montegrande said in an interview on dzBB radio.

For the New Year celebration, he said, the NPDC is lining up several activities, including a fireworks display and a free concert.

A report by dzBB's Carlo Mateo said many families spent Tuesday night and early Wednesday at the park to celebrate Christmas.

Many are expected to return to the Rizal Park next week to welcome the New Year.

The report said the NPDC deployed several cleanup teams to get rid of the mess left behind by families.

"Laging ready ang NPDC para bigyan ng maayos, maaliwalas at presentable na parke lalo na ngayong season," Montegrande said. — BM, GMA News