The first week of July sees intensified clean-up operations across Santa Cruz, Cavite and the broader CALABARZON region, driven by flood mitigation and rainy season sanitation. Activities in this jurisdiction involve local CENRO teams, river rangers, and barangay volunteers concentrating on drainage dredging and localized river cleanup drives.
Cleanup Operations and Community Participation
The intensified cleanup activities align with the national Oplan Kontra Baha program, first unveiled by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which focuses on the regular clearing of debris and garbage from waterways and drainage systems to minimize flooding in low-lying areas . This multi-sectoral initiative is being rolled out in Cavite alongside other flood-prone provinces nationwide .
Community participation remains a cornerstone of these environmental efforts. The Akbay Kalikasan for Environmental Society Management Inc. (Akesmi) recently launched the "Linis-Ilog at Rio Grande" project in Bacao I, General Trias City, promoting environmental conservation, sustainability, and disaster risk reduction through community participation . Similarly, the Gawad Taga-Ilog (GTI) program, a flagship environmental recognition initiative of the DENR, evaluates and rewards local government units that demonstrate outstanding efforts in managing, restoring, and protecting rivers and waterways connected to the Manila Bay region.
How to Participate and Report Environmental Concerns
For local residents looking to participate or needing to report areas for clearing, several resources are available. You can coordinate with the Provincial Government of Cavite for specialized equipment or technical expertise regarding massive barangay blockages. For reporting environmental issues, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Dasmariñas accepts environmental complaints via phone or written complaints, with inspection schedules provided promptly.
For ongoing schedules of clean-up drives, municipal legislation, and local advisories, access the Sangguniang Bayan of Santa Cruz Laguna portal. The DENR-EMB CALABARZON also conducts continuous monitoring of watersheds and waterbody clean-up drives within the province, supporting initiatives that encourage barangays to go beyond compliance and actively engage in clean-up drives and awareness campaigns.
