By Kenneth Marcos 
On a bright morning in Barangay Talon Singko, Las Piñas City, community leaders, homeowners, and residents gathered to learn how small daily actions can make a big difference for the environment. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Metropolitan Environmental Office-South (MEO-South) held a Dalaw Turo session to educate the public on proper waste management and environmental protection.
The event aimed to deepen public understanding of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and to strengthen local participation in the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. The law promotes waste segregation and the practice of the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—to lessen garbage buildup in communities.
During the session, Mary Jobelin Malilang, Information Officer of MEO-South, explained the duties of the Metropolitan Environmental Offices and emphasized the importance of every barangay following the national waste management policy. “Tamang paghihiwalay ng basura sa pinagmulan pa lang ay malaking hakbang para sa kalinisan ng ating mga komunidad,” she said.
River Protection Officers Jenalyn Bauca and Lalaine Bustillo also discussed how neglecting the environment leads to flooding, pollution, and clogged waterways. They encouraged participants to adopt simple eco-friendly habits such as planting trees, reducing plastic use, and switching to reusable household materials.
As part of the observance of the International Day of Climate Action, the program also highlighted the link between climate change and the rising frequency of natural disasters that threaten lives and livelihoods. Speakers stressed that proper waste management and community discipline can greatly reduce the impact of floods and heat waves.
The MEO-South team continues to visit various barangays in southern Metro Manila, conducting educational drives that inspire citizens to take part in protecting the environment. The agency believes that by empowering residents through knowledge and action, cleaner and safer communities can be achieved.
Through these local initiatives, the DENR hopes to remind everyone that caring for nature is not only the job of government offices but the shared duty of every Filipino.
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