As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental governance at the local level, 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 2 of the Barangay Waste Solutions: Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Optimization and 5-Year Solid Waste Management Planning Workshop on July 3–4, 2025 at The Heritage Hotel, Pasay City.

The activity capacitated barangays from the Southern Metro Manila local government units in the Metro on MRF Optimization and Formulation of 5-Year Barangay Solid Waste Management Plan (BSWMP). Particularly, discussions with local leaders touched on identifying concerns and solutions on waste segregation, resource recovery, and community involvement.  

Resource speakers from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Environmental and Management Bureau – National Capital Region (EMB-NCR), who also led Batch 1 session which was held on June 26-27, 2025 in Quezon City,  shared key guidance on the legal and operational aspects of solid waste management, covering waste segregation at source, effective implementation of MRFs, and the alignment of SWMPs with barangay development plans.

In her closing remarks, Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, encouraged the participants to put knowledge into practice:

“Sa pag-uwi natin sa ating mga barangay, huwag nating hayaang manatili sa papel ang ating mga plano. Gamitin natin ang mga natutunan natin ngayon bilang simula ng kongkreto at tuloy-tuloy na pagkilos,” she mentioned.

The DILG-NCR remains committed to implementing initiatives that enhance community-based waste management strategies toward clean, resilient, and sustainable communities.