A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was inked between DENR CALABARZON represented by Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria and Barangay Local Government Units (LGUs) of Cavite City particularly Barangay 14 represented by Brgy. Chairperson Eduardo Vidal; Barangay 29A – Brgy. Chairperson Araceli A. Sese; Barangay 53B– Brgy. Chairperson Beatriz Rosal A. Dimaano; Barangay 62M– Brgy. Chairperson Maria Corazon C. Salud; and Barangay 49M– Brgy. Chairperson Philip Voltaire L. Cosigno last October 10, 2022 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, City of Cavite. The event was witnessed by the City ENR Officer Carlo Dante M. Filoteo and Cavite PENR Officer Januel R. Peras. 

The agreement envisioned to successfully implement the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program and the Operational Plan for Manila Bay Coastal Strategy (OPMBCS), with the main objective of cleaning-up the Manila Bay and its neighboring ecosystems. Both parties have committed to jointly venture in the Implementation of a Barangay Eco-Gardening program to promote waste diversion, as a support measure to climate change adaptation, and foster a clean and green environment.

City ENRO Carlo Dante M. Filoteo expressed his appreciation to DENR for choosing the selected barangays of Cavite City for this endeavor. He believes that this project can be a model to other barangays of their locality towards proper waste management and recycling. He also acknowledged the efforts and hard work of everyone to make this activity possible. 

City Vice Mayor Ronell Rusit also expressed his utmost support to this project as well as to other environmental related programs and activities being implemented in Cavite City. Likewise, the City Councilor and Chairperson on Committee for Environment and Ecological Services Mark Anthony A. Amparo conveyed that through this kind of projects, several problems on solid wastes and proper waste disposal can be solved even little by little, which eventually could make a difference. 

RED Nilo B. Tamoria emphasized that the duly signed MOA for the establishment of five (5) Barangay Eco-gardens in Cavite City is one of many ways to clean the Manila Bay and a strategy to change the behavior of our community in order to implement the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or RA 9003. 

“Sa pamamagitan po ng pag-eestablish ng eco-gardens, ito’y makatutulong sa pagbabawas ng basura dahil sa composting component nito gayundin ang pag gamit sa mga recyclables bilang taniman sa ating mga eco-garden. Ang proyektong ito ay naglalayon na maenganyo at maging inspirasyon ito sa ating kapwa mamamayan at lalo na sa mga kabataan na miyembro ng ating komunidad”, RED Tamoria added,

In behalf of the recipients of the barangay eco-gardens, Barangay Chairperson Beatriz Rosal A. Dimaano extended her appreciation to DENR for having this kind of project that could help the community members in the segregation of waste and production of healthy and fresh vegetables in the future.

MBSCMO Cavite Focal Person Judaline A. Fabro gave further instruction concerning the utilization of the budget allocated for the eco-gardens. She emphasized that each eco-garden has a budget of Php 100,000.00 that includes Community Organizing, Vertical gardening seminars and installation of vertical gardens. The eco-garden shall use recyclable containers and decomposed materials from biodegradable wastes. It shall operate for a period of not less than three (3) years and the MBSCMO and respective Barangay LGUs will conduct monitoring and inspection of the project.