The Calabarzon Regional Agencies of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have introduced the First Calabarzon Sanitasyon Basura Watch Program in a recent Regional Support and Catalyst Group Meeting.
Casabwatch is a program in support of the Manila Bay Clean-Up and Rehabilitation Program, Manila Bayanihan para sa Kalikasan Advocacy, and Tayo ang Kalikasan.
It aims to reduce the solid waste flowing in the waterways of Calabarzon and in Manila Bay through strict implementation of no littering and no illegal dumping of waste in the region.
According to the report of the Environmental Management Bureau IVA, only two out of the 14 monitored bathing beaches connected to Manila Bay are within the standard fecal coliform level of 100 MPN/100 mL. Roy Tumandao
Further, EMB accounts 4,572 tons of waste generated per day within the Manila Bay Region of which 43% are biodegradable, 31% are recyclable, 25% are residuals, and 1% special waste.
Aside from the regular clean-up activities, continuous monitoring and inspection of establishments is being conducted in the Region.
As of September, EMB IVA inspected 1,200 establishments and issued 344 Notices of Violations.
Moreover, the Regional Support and Catalyst Group will serve as a watchdog or monitoring body for the implementation of the CASABWATCH program.
It is a support and monitoring group for the implementation of R.A. 9003 also known as the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Mandamus agencies, academe, media, and other concerned agencies, groups and organizations are the target partners for the said program.
