The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) hailed the efforts of the city government of Manila to implement efficient solid waste management and to clean up Manila even at the height of Typhoon Ulysses.

DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny D. Antiporda said Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and his constituents deserve appreciation for their commitment to protecting the environment.

“We wish to thank all Manileños led by Mayor Isko for their untiring efforts to manage solid waste disposal in the city and to sustain our Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts,” Antiporda said.

Antiporda also recognized the Manila Department of Public Services-Team Mandaragat for its quick response and immediate action to clean up the historic bay before, during and in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses.

“We are very happy that the honorable mayor and the people of Manila have given prime importance to the care of the environment,” said Antiporda.

The DENR official also thanked Domagoso for reminding his constituents that “typhoons underscore the consequences of improper waste disposal—floods and risk to people’s lives—thus the need to care for the environment.”

Aside from solid waste management and the bay cleanup, Manila has also embarked on various activities such as creating vertical and horizontal gardens and more open spaces to improve air quality.

In his message during the flag-raising ceremony held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan Park in Manila last Monday (16 Nov.), Domagoso reiterated his call to all Manileños to ؜clean all streets and waterways.

“Linisin natin ang ating lungsod. Ang kalsada dapat malinis; ang ilog o creek dapat hindi basurahan; ang dagat, hindi tapunan. Pagmalasakitan ang lahat ng kapaligiran,” Domagoso said.

Antiporda commended Domagoso for “giving importance to cleaning and greening a big and highly-populated city like Manila.”

“It is thus but fitting that we give back to the city to enable them to carry out this formidable task as our partners in environmental protection,” Antiporda said.

The DENR donated 100 pieces of yellow trash bins for Manila’s 100 barangays to help address their concern on the proper disposal of face masks, surgical gloves and other personal protective equipment considered as household health care waste. The trash bins will be used solely for these wastes.

“This is only an initial donation. Another 300 will be provided and a third batch will be coming until all the 800 barangays will have their own yellow trash bins to ensure that residents and businesses know where to throw these potentially infectious and contaminated COVID-19 related wastes,” Antiporda said.

The trash bins were turned over to Domagoso during the city’s flag-raising ceremony. #