MANILA, (PIA) -- The Navotas City Government entered into an agreement to bolster its solid waste management programs, Monday.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau – National Capital Region (DENR EMB-NCR) to strengthen its ecological solid waste management (ESWM) program.

Mayor Tiangco, together with Atty. Michael Drake Matias, Regional Director of DENR EMB-NCR, and Ms. Sonia Mendoza, Chairperson of MEF, signed the MOA.

Under the agreement, the MEF will spearhead the implementation of the ESWM program in the 18 barangays of the city; conduct series of training and other activities to capacitate organized groups and volunteers; and offer technical support and recommendations in the preparation of the city's 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan.

DENR EMB-NCR, on the other hand, will ensure that the decrease in solid waste generation and increase in waste diversion in Navotas, and adhere to the environment department's overall initiative to improve solid waste management.

This will be done through daily and monthly monitoring of waste collection; review of reports and progress of the program; and provision of necessary support to guarantee its success.

Meanwhile, the city government will designate personnel to actively work with MEF; assist partner agencies to hasten the program development; guarantee policy support through ordinances, executive orders, and endorsement letters; and provide all other interventions significant to the program.

“Navotas is our home. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that our city remains clean and the next generations of Navoteños will enjoy a healthy and ecologically-balanced environment,” Mayor Tiangco said.

Also present during the ceremony were Sonia Roco, Trustees of MEF; Kathryn Ann Hilario, Navotas City Youth Development Officer; and Ms. Yzabela Bernardina Nazal-Habunal, Officer-in-Charge of City Environment and Natural Resources Office. (PIA-NCR)