THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) lauded the support of the Mabalacat City Government for the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation and Preservation Program.
In his letter to Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año stated that the city government passed the compliance assessment conducted by the agency under the bay cleanup program.
Pursuant to the Supreme Court mandamus to clean Manila Bay, the DILG was mandated to monitor local government units (LGUs) in the performance of their duties under existing laws and policies, according to Ano.
He cited Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.
"Based on the table assessment and on-site inspection made by the Regional Inter-Agency Committee (RIAC), Mabalacat City passed the assessment and was able to comply with the majority of the requirements," Ano stated.
The DILG head added that the department recognizes the efforts and expects the continuous and intensified support and cooperation of the LGU in the implementation of the program.
Earlier, DILG Mabalacat City Offier Rita Gotiangco said that Garbo personally led the cleaning of the city, particularly the water ways, in support of the program.
Gotiangco said barangays are required to conduct a weekly clean-up program in support of the Manila Bay rehabilitation.