Eighty (80) representatives coming from the Planning, Housing and Health offices of 20 LGUs in Cavite participated in the Training on Guidelines of the LGU-CA of the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation and Preservation Program (MBCRPP) in preparation for the upcoming compliance assessment. The event which was organized by the Provincial Housing Development and Management Office on February 13, 2025 at The Bayleaf Cavite, City of Gen. Trias aimed to enhance their understanding of the MBCRPP guidelines and improve their capacity for the forthcoming assessment.
The training was led by focal officers from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IV-A, who provided updates on requirements, guidelines, timelines, and assessment tools to assist the LGUs in preparing necessary documents and verification methods.
Atty. Rodolfo D. Uy III, Provincial Administrator of Cavite, welcomed the attendees and emphasized that environmental issues in the Manila Bay area are man-made and can be addressed through collective efforts.
Engr. Danilo A. Nobleza, DILG-Cavite Provincial Director, shared that all 23 LGUs in Cavite passed the 2023 MBCRPP compliance assessment and expressed hope for continued high compliance levels and improved public service.
DILG IV-A speakers included Project Development Officer IV Kristel Cate V. Francisco, who provided an overview of the 2024 MBCRPP LGU Compliance Assessment; Project Development Officer III Christian B. Dacanay, who discussed the Informal Settler Family Scoring Tool; and Project Development Officer II Alwyne Alysa C. Bay, who presented the 2024 Revised Guidelines of the MB-Data Capture Form Online System.
During the open forum, participants addressed clarifications and challenges related to crafting and implementing Local Shelter Plans and data on Informal Settler Families, which are key components of the assessment.
Ms. Karen Camañag-Tupas, Provincial Housing Officer, expressed gratitude to the participants for their commitment to the initiative and their dedication to better serving their constituents.
The MBCRPP aims to restore the water quality of Manila Bay in accordance with the Supreme Court’s Writ of Continuing Mandamus. The compliance assessment serves as a mechanism in monitoring the compliance of LGUs within the Manila Bay watershed area with regard to their adherence to the SC continuing Mandamus. It aims to increase the enforcement of the program, and to effectively keep track the LGUs’ compliance to the environmental laws that support the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. (E.Reyes)