Fourteen waterways around Metro Manila have been chosen as finalists for the inaugural "Gawad Taga-Ilog: Search for Most Improved Estero in Metro Manila."
Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), the search aims to recognize the contribution and efforts of local governments, barangays in particular, in keeping their esteros (waterways) and water bodies clean and trash-free.
It also recognizes the active participation of the Metro Manila local governments in the ongoing cleanup and rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
The 14 estero-finalists are:
- Amorsolo Creek – Makati City
- Bangkulasi River – Navotas City
- Pinagsabugan Creek – Malabon City
- Sapang Alat River – Caloocan City
- Park Creek 22 – Marikina City
- Magdaong River – Muntinlupa City
- Tartar Creek – Las Piñas City
- Ermitaño Creek – San Juan City
- Maytunas Creek – Mandaluyong City
- Estero de Paco – Manila City
- Parian Creek – Pasig City
- Lingunan Creek – Valenzuela City
- Ilang-Ilang Creek – Quezon City
- Estero de Sto. Niño – Parañaque City
According to the DENR-NCR, the 14 esteros will be evaluated according to the following criteria: physical improvement; social mobilization and transformation; sustainability and replicability; and partnerships.
The judges get to pick three winners based on the said criteria.
One estero will also get the chance to be chosen by netizens by, first, liking DENR-NCR's Facebook page, and second, by hitting the "like" or "heart" button of the photo of the estero of their choice.
Voting will take place from December 3, 2020 to December 26, 2020 and the photo with the most number of likes/heart at the end of the voting period will win the People’s Choice Award.
The announcement of the winners will be on December 28, 2020.