MALOLOS CITY (PIA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) donated mini trash boats to five local government units (LGUs) in Bulacan to boost cleanup and rehabilitation activities of major river systems directly draining to the greater portion of Manila Bay.
 
DENR Bulacan Head Emelita Lingat said four mini trash boats were given to Meycauayan City while Malolos City, Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Paombong got one unit each.
 
“The distribution of these trash boats would be supplemental in our cleanup efforts, as well as in our waterway patrolling and monitoring activities especially in the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System,” Lingat explained.
 
These would be added to 13 motorized banca, which were earlier given to Meycauayan City, Malolos City, Marilao, Obando, Paombong and Hagonoy.
 
For his part, DENR Regional Executive Director Paquito Moreno Jr. noted that the donation of trash boats to LGUs would not only fast-track collection of floating trash in river systems connected to the Manila Bay but also strengthen the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
 
“The magnitude of our waste problem can only be minimized through our collective efforts with the LGUs and the citizens. Local communities play a critical role in environmental sustainability, as waste management starts at home,” he stressed.
 
DENR has collected more than 85,600 tons of wastes from 3,900 cleanup activities conducted in Bulacan since the Manila Bay cleanup and rehabilitation program commenced in 2019.
 
The province is part of the 190-length of the Manila Bay area in Central Luzon. Of this, 43-kilometer is part of the coastline of Bulacan. (CLJD-PIA 3)