Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval led on Tuesday, Sept. 12, the planting of 300 mangrove trees and coastal clean-up drive along the waterways of Malabon Megadike in Barangay Dampalit in the city.
Around 700 personnel of the city government, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Interior and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine National Police (PNP), Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Red Cross, and students from the City of Malabon University, participated in the twin activities at the 9 kilometer megadike on M. Sioson Road.
They planted the mangrove plants and used sweeps and other materials in cleaning the area created for flood control located at the boundary of Malabon and Navotas cities.
The city government said the activity is part of the International Coastal Cleanup Day celebration on Sept. 26.
Sandoval said that it is also an advanced birthday gift to President Marcos who will be celebrating his 66th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 13.
She said the activities were conducted at the megadike for its fisheries industry which is a major source of food in Malabon, and also as part of the initiatives to address the perennial flooding problem in the city.
Sandoval said that since she took over as local chief executive, she had initiated several programs such as tree planting, pumping stations, and clean-up drives, which have helped lessen the incidence of the flooding in several areas in Malabon during calamities by 80 percent.
More pumping stations will be added, she added, and gave assurance that the local government is prepared for any calamity.
Sandoval was joined in the twin activities by Malabon Vice Mayor Ninong Dela Cruz, City Administrator Alexander Rosete, and city department heads.
Rosete said they will also hold a medical mission on Wednesday at the back of the Malabon City Hall for around 2,000 residents who are in need of medical help.