It was barely mentioned amid all the other news items, but the city government of Biñan City recently received another feather on its cap.
Last February 28, the LGU received five awards from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its contributions in the cleanup of Manila Bay.
These awards include the 2020 Manila BAYani Awards and Incentives (for the national category), and the Platinum Award (regional and provincial) at the 2021 LGU Compliance Assessment under the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program (MBCRPP).
Waterways
The average Biñanense may have this question in mind: what does the LGU of Biñan City have to do with the cleanup of Manila Bay when it isn’t even located there?
As City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) head Rodel Lee explained to OpinYon Laguna, it’s all a matter of connections.
“Oo, tayo ay katabi ng Laguna Lake. Pero yung tubig galing sa Laguna Lake, pumupunta iyan sa Ilog Pasig, at iyon ang dumadaloy papunta sa Manila Bay,” he stated.
Lee further explained that the city's efforts are connected with the mandamus issued by the Supreme Court on 2008, which directed 13 government agencies and local governments to rehabilitate the Manila Bay.
Biñan City first joined the LGU Compliance Assessment under the MBCRPP in 2018, where it immediately gained a Platinum Award in the provincial category.
Solid waste management
During the interview, Lee said the city has been able to comply with three criteria set by the DILG: waste management, management of waterways, and education and information campaigns.
Lee said part of the city’s contributions to the Manila Bay cleanup is the LGU’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which not only recovers waste materials but also repurposes them for other uses.
One particular example Lee gave was its “Eco-bricks” project, where shredded plastic waste is turned into bricks and hollow blocks that are then used in some of the city’s infrastructure projects.
This program later captured national attention in early 2020 when the LGU decided to use the Eco-bricks machines to convert ashes from the fallout of the Taal Volcano eruption into construction materials.
Septage management
Lee also said the city is very strict in ensuring that sewage from houses and businesses in the city does not end up in waterways.
“Meron kaming septage ordinance, and we are very strict in ensuring that households in Biñan City comply with it,” he said.
“Katuwang namin ang City Health Office sa sektor na ito ng waste management. Mino-monitor namin yung mga bahay kung meron silang mga septic tank. Yung mga wala, iniisyuhan namin ng notice of violation,” the CENRO head further explained.
The CENRO also plays a vital part in ensuring that the city’s waterways and riverbanks are cleared of informal settlers, another major source of pollution.
Under the last criteria – information and education campaign – Lee said his office is active in distributing educational materials to residents and stakeholders to inform them of the city’s programs for the environment.
One final question: what is the significance of these awards for the average Biñanense?
“Ang nakukuha diyan ng mga taga-Biñan is yung knowledge na ang kanilang tinitirhan is environment-friendly, at safe silang manirahan dito,” Lee stated.