A total of 342 Bantay Linis Ilog (BLI) were hired in CALABARZON to further ensure that waterways that drain to Manila Bay are kept clean. The hiring of the BLI started as early as October of this year.

The BLIs assists the DENR CALABARZON in monitoring of cleanup activities, coordination with Barangay Officials and MENRO/CENRO for the collection and proper disposal of collected wastes; patrolling for river protection and maintaining the cleaned-up waterways; reporting of unlawful acts of residents, as well as undertaking other activities as may be assigned by the DENR CALABARZON Task Group for Manila Bay Rehabilitation.

Aside from the hiring of BLI, the DENR CALABARZON Task Group continues to conduct regular cleanup activities, assessment meetings with Mandamus Agencies, Information, Education, Communication (IEC) campaigns, and recently launched the CALABARZON Sanitasyon at Basura Watch (CASABWATCH) Program.

In addition, the installation of trash traps in the rivers is currently underway. As of November 23, 2019, the total waste collected by the BLI is 675,792.75 kg. ###