Mandaluyong barangay is cleanest in Metro Manila

Barangay Vergara in Mandaluyong City was voted the cleanest barangay in Metro Manila by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

It bested 16 other barangays, including the posh Barangay New Alabang Village (Ayala Alabang) in Muntinlupa City, in the MMDA’s Search for Cleanest and Dirtiest Barangay contest.

The cleanest barangay will receive a P100,000 cash prize while the 15 finalists will be given P30,000 each and a certificate of commendation.

Meanwhile, the search for the dirtiest barangay has yet to be officially concluded.

But so far, in the MMDA’s evaluation, "only Barangay 145, Zone 16 of Pasay City has reached the dirtiest category level," Dr. Liwanag Godinez said in her memorandum to MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando.

In an earlier interview, Godinez said the MMDA will rate the dirty barangays based on the number of garbage mounds sighted in the locality, filthy creeks, feces, dead animals, and sidewalks with obstructions.

The evaluation for the cleanest and dirtiest barangays was done for at least two months, with two deliberations done by the board of judges composed of representatives from the Departments of Interio rand Local Government (DILG), Health (DOH), Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Godinez disclosed that the situation in Metro Manila has "improved by in 2003." – Nikko Dizon