COTABATO CITY — MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim received a visit from Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao on 12 September 2022 to identify urgent areas the Ministry and the Cotabato City Government can collaborate on to further protect, conserve, sustainably manage and develop the environment, natural resources, and energy sources in the City.

Minister Brahim was joined by MENRE Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab, Sectoral Service Directors, and Planning Division Chief, who all presented the mandate and the existing programs, projects, and activities of the Ministry.

“The officials of this Ministry are dedicated to executing MENRE’s mandate to help the Bangsamoro and its people have a clean and healthy environment”, Minister Brahim said. “Kaya’t nagpapasalamat kami sa [Cotabato City Government] dahil nandito rin kayo para tumulong na ipatupad ito.”

One of the reasons that bring about the meeting between Mayor Matabalao and the MENRE is the persisting issue on solid waste management in Cotabato City. In line with that, City Community ENR Officer Crisanto B. Saavedra presented the proposed site development plan for the City’s garbage disposal facility. The two agencies also looked into the proper management and development of Timako Hill in terms of solid waste management and its further greening through the rehabilitation of mangroves within the area.

“This visit is to take advantage of the moment na magkakasama tayo sa isang direction and that we want the best for the Bangsamoro, for Cotabato City and its environment,” said Mayor Matabalao.

BDG Salendab stated that all human development may have an effect on the environment, and the MENRE is committed to minimizing the impact of these developments. For instance, the Environmental Compliance Certificate that may be issued by MENRE for the site development plan presented by Mayor Matabalao, when pursued, will ensure that it will not have any substantial, negative effect on the surrounding environment.

CENRO Saavedra reinforced that Mayor Matabalao is indeed “fully supportive” of protecting the environment in Cotabato City and that he is devoted to providing a more permanent solution to the City’s solid waste problem.

Both the Ministry and Mayor Matabalao look forward to having another meeting regarding the proposed Sanitary Landfill. Further, on September 27, the Ministry plans to conduct a cleanup drive activity in Timako Hill, in collaboration with the CENRO of Cotabato City and the barangay local government unit.

“We can do this meeting more often,” assured Mayor Matabalo, signifying the agencies’ common interest in protecting and conserving the environment of Cotabato City.