The DILG National Capital Region, through the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program – Program Management Team (MBCRPP-PMT), successfully conducted the MBCRPP Alignment Meeting for 17 Local Government Units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region on February 19, 2026, via Zoom Conferencing.  

The activity primarily aimed to align priorities, identify key implementation and capacity-building needs, and strengthen compliance requirements for the Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA) and Local Government Unit Compliance Assessment (LGU-CA). It likewise provided an overview of the Manila BAYani Awards and Incentives (MBAI) National Validation Tool to strengthen coordination and program performance to ensure a unified and efficient approach in advancing the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

In her opening remarks, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between national government agencies and LGUs, emphasizing that Manila Bay’s rehabilitation is a shared responsibility that requires strategic alignment, accountability, and consistent compliance.

The activity further served as a platform to surface key implementation issues, operational concerns, and capacity-building needs of LGUs in relation to the MBCRP Program. The inputs gathered from participants will guide the provision of targeted technical assistance and the enhancement of assessment tools to further strengthen program execution, compliance, and inter-agency coordination supporting the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

The consultation reaffirmed the shared commitment of the 17 NCR LGUs and the DILG-NCR to promoting sustainable environmental governance and advancing initiatives that contribute to achieving the relevant Sustainable Development Goals. Through strengthened collaboration, strategic alignment of local interventions, and continued compliance with program standards, the activity supports the long-term rehabilitation, protection, and ecological restoration of Manila Bay for present and future generations.