The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), through the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program Management Team (MBCRP-PMT), successfully conducted Batch 1 of the Barangay Waste Solutions: Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Optimization cum 5-Year Solid Waste Management Planning Workshop on June 26–27, 2025 at Harolds Hotel, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City.
The two-day activity aimed to assist barangays in the identification of community-level solutions to solid waste problems that shall be reflected in their 5-Year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). Discussion-workshops on the formulation of the barangay SWMP and optimization of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) were conducted to help barangays strengthen waste segregation and management, maximize the recovery of recyclable and compostable materials, and instill community responsibility in SWM.
In her welcoming remarks, Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Ana Jury H. Castillo reminded participants to translate knowledge into action.
“Ang lahat ng ating matutunan ngayong araw ay dapat nating madala sa mga barangay upang lalo pa nating mapaunlad ang kalinisan, kaayusan, at katatagan ng ating mga pamayanan. Nasa ating mga kamay nagsisimula ang tunay na pagbabago,” Division Chief Castillo mentioned.
Resource Persons from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) shared technical guidance on the legal mandates and operational components of SWM. These included the mandatory segregation of waste at source, establishment and operation of Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and integration of the SWMP into barangay development planning.
This activity marks a critical step in advancing barangay-level solid waste governance. The DILG-NCR reiterates its commitment to strengthening capacity-building efforts, ensuring the effective implementation of solid waste management policies, and promoting enhanced inter-agency collaboration for a cleaner and more sustainable Metro Manila.