The city government of San Pedro, Laguna has once again earned an accolade from national government agencies for its role in protecting the environmental health of Laguna de Bay.
The San Pedro City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) recently received the Silver Award (City Category) at the Manila Bay Day Awards held last December 9 in Lipa City, Batangas.
The award, given out by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IV-A, honors local government units (LGUs) in the region who have complied with the Manila Bay Supreme Court Mandamus Program.
This is a continuing effort mandated by the Supreme Court to all LGUs near Manila Bay to rehabilitate, restore, and preserve the bay and its connected rivers and waterways.
Although not on the shoreline of Manila Bay, San Pedro City and other cities and towns on the shoreline of Laguna de Bay are also part of the mandamus, as water from the Laguna de Bay flows out to Manila Bay through the Pasig River system.
Overall cleanliness
Local officials who spoke with OpinYon Laguna credit the recent recognition given by the DILG to its continuous efforts to ensure the cleanliness of all waterways leading to Laguna de Bay.
“Meron po tayong Environmental Armies at River Rangers na regular na naglilinis sa ating mga ilog at iba pang daluyan ng tubig dito sa ating siyudad. Kasama din ang ating mga street sweepers na naglilinis sa ating mga main thoroughfares,” officials explained in a message to OpinYon Laguna.
“Bukod po dito katuwang din natin ang mga Barangay sa kanilang paglilinis at isinasagawang Weekly Clean up drive. Palagian din po ang ating tree growing activity at clean up drives para sa Go Clean Go Green program for the environment.”
The city government also credits the cleanup of the San Isidro and Landayan rivers of San Miguel Corporation (under its Better Rivers PH program) as a contributor to its efforts in keeping the city’s waterways free of pollution.
“Ang dredging po na isinasagawa ng SMC ay upang mapalalim ang ating kailugan para mas marami po ma accomodate na tubig maiwasang umapaw, matanggal ang mga bara at basura, bawasan ang lupa, kaya malaking tulong po para maiwasan din ang pagbabaha sa ating mga low lying areas,” local officials added.
“Ito po ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon para mas lalo pa po namin pagbutihin ang ating mga programa at serbisyo para po sa ating mga mamamayan ng San Pedro. Maraming salamat din po sa ating butihing Mayor Art Mercado sa lahat ng suport pagdating sa pangangalaga sa ating kapaligiran.”
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