The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking the commitment of barangay officials for their cooperation in the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said his depaertment will host today a forum for village leaders of over 300 barangays surrounding Manila Bay to ensure their commitment to the ongoing effort to rehabilitate the heavily polluted water body.
The forum aims to remind the barangay executives of their critical role and responsibility in the rehabilitation effort and give them deeper recognition of the advantages their constituents can gain from having clean waterways, especially in terms of health benefits, he said.
“The success of the rehabilitation effort hinges on the support from the local government units, particularly the barangays, which are actually the front-liners in the cleanup, rehabilitation and preservation of the waters of Manila Bay,” he added.
The barangay leaders represent areas traversing into three important river systems that empty into Manila Bay, such as the Pasig-Marikina-San Juan Rivers (169 barangays), the Muntinlupa-Paranaque-Las Pinas-Zapote Rivers (40 barangays) and the Malabon-Tullahan-Tenejeros Rivers (68 barangays).
Also invited are leaders from 42 barangays in Pasay City and 18 from Navotas City.
Cimatu said he would discuss how the barangays can take part in the upcoming simultaneous cleanup of esteros and waterways set on March 31 as part of the extended observance of the World Water Day on March 22.
A dialogue between barangay officials and DENR senior executives will take place.
