With the successful completion of on-site validations and rigorous assessments in all 17 NCR Local Government Units (LGUs) from April 22 to May 8, 2025, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC) gathered for a two-day deliberation at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place on May 21-22, 2025. This important activity marks the final step before feedback sessions and wraps up this year’s LGU Compliance Assessment (LGU-CA) for performance year 2024.

The RIAC, composed of key national agencies and select private institutions under the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation (MBCRP) Program, brought together technical experts and representatives from the three (3) clusters under the said program: Liquid Waste Management (LWM), Solid Waste Management (SWM), and Informal Settler Families (ISF) Management.

Participating agencies included the Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-NCR, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-NCR, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-NCR, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA),  Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-NCR, National Housing Authority (NHA)-NCR, with support from private partners like Manila Water Company Inc. and the Maynilad Water Services Inc.

In her opening message, Marda Alina R. Dumaoang-Acoba, Assistant Division Chief of the DILG-NCR’s Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED), expressed deep appreciation for the active involvement of RIAC members. She highlighted how this collective effort enables LGUs to not only meet compliance standards but to bring out the best in their communities in sustaining environmental progress.

“For almost a decade now, DILG-NCR’s Manila Bay Clean-up Program, together with the Regional Inter-Agency Committee, has carefully carried out the LGU Compliance Assessment and continues to provide important insights and practical recommendations,” She emphasized that environmental protection is a shared duty, one that must be carried together, not left solely to LGUs.

The heart of the deliberations focused on an objective review of all documents and field findings collected during the validation. More than a compliance check, the process aimed to foster continuous improvement, encourage innovation, and recognize efforts that go above and beyond.

In her closing remarks, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, acknowledged both the strides and struggles seen throughout the assessments. She thanked the RIAC members for their tireless support, stressing the importance of strong partnerships in steering LGUs toward lasting environmental change.

“It is essential for us to maintain close collaborations with our LGUs, guiding them effectively in their environmental initiatives to demonstrate their dedication to creating safer, healthier communities,” she said. 

As the LGU Compliance Assessment draws to a close, the DILG-NCR remains firm in its commitment to assist and support local governments. With the continued synergy of national and local stakeholders, a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Manila Bay is not just a vision, it’s a shared goal within reach.