The DILG, under the KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas Program, ties up with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau – National Capital Region (DENR EMB-NCR) this Saturday, April 20, 2024, to clean-up Dario Creek, Barangay Baesa, Quezon City, as the Regional Showcase concurrent with the EMB’s Estero Clean-up in celebration of Earth Month.

DILG Quezon City Field Office City Director, Emmanuel Borromeo, CESO V, in his message, expressed the essence of the NGAs’ joint efforts: “Ang isang magandang katangian ng programang ito na ating ginagawa ay ang convergence o ang pagsasama-sama ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng goberyno,” CD Borromeo said as he continued to explain the programs that are affiliated with the KALINISAN such as the clean-up itself, HAPAG, Road-Clearing, and the KALINISAN Performance Audit System.

Expressing her support, Punong Barangay Gemma Juan proudly said that Barangay Baesa is looking forward to participating in future clean-up initiatives and more. “Makakaasa po kayo na kung ano mang programa ang ibaba sa amin, kami ay makikibahagi,” the PB stressed during the program proper.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III and Atty Ana Lyn R. Baltazar Cortez CESO IV were also present during the joint clean-up drive, leading the pledge of commitment and showing their continuous support to the environmental cause. The DILG Regional Office also expressed gratitude to Barangay Baesa for its willingness to support the KALINISAN program and other programs by the DILG.

Ms. Anabelle Wahing, Head of the Solid Waste Management of the EMB-NCR, also relayed her thanks to all the participating National Government Agencies during the activity.

The joint KALINISAN clean-up drive was further strengthened by the collaboration of the Quezon City LGU and the involved agencies: MMDA, DPWH, NCRPO, QCPD, BFP, and BJMP. Local volunteers from the Samahan ng Kababaihan ng St. Martin de Porres and the Asamba HOA participated as well. 255 volunteers helped clean the creek, including the nearby alleys within Barangay Baesa, collecting a total of 105 sacks of mixed waste and 130kg of bulky waste from the area.

While the volunteers worked on the nearby Dario Creek, the MMDA’s Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) “Recyclables mo, Palit Grocery Ko” simultaneously operated as well. Residents had the chance to exchange their household recyclables and their accumulated reusable materials from volunteering for canned goods, detergents, and other daily necessities.

During the joint activity, Barangay Baesa and the EMB-NCR took part in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing, ensuring that the government agency will provide trash traps to the Barangay for its nearby creek, making it possible to efficiently collect more trash along the waterway and drastically reduce pollution. “Sa pamamagitan ng sama-sama nating pagsisikap, maaari tayong makabuo ng solusyon para magkaroon ng tunay na pagbabago sa ating mga komunidad,” Atty. Renato Magbalon of DSQC said.

The DILG is one with all other stakeholders working towards this vision, and believes that a shift in discipline within the communities will result in true environmental change. The KALINISAN clean-up drive is part of the effort to enlighten the masses on the collective impact they have on the environment.