On November 10, 2023, the Toxic and Hazardous Wastes Research, Development and Extension Center (THWRDEC) personnel provided expertise as resource speakers on the capacity building activity of DENR-NCR Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) East titled, “Hands-on Training on Plant Propagation, Establishment of Floating Garden and Vertical Garden Structure, and Management of Plastic Waste” held at the DENR-NCR Production Nursery, North Avenue, Quezon City.

Participants are DENR-NCR MEO East personnel i.e. River Protection Officers (RPO), Environmental Protection Officers (EPO), Information Technology (IT) Staff and Information Officers (IO).

Topics discussed included Quantification of Beached Microplastics, Recommended Plant Species for the Floating and Vertical Gardens; and Clonal Propagation and application of Hi-Q VAM 1. Moreover, IEC materials relative to the above-mentioned titled activity were distributed.

Engr. Virgilio Edralin L. Licuan, OIC-Director of MEO-EAST recognized the importance of the topics discussed in the mandate and functions of their office in his message.

Accordingly, the development and adoption of such technologies, the Floating Garden, for instance, is a great strategy for managing pollutants and improving the overall status of riverways in Metro Manila.

Furthermore, he reminded the participants to apply the lessons learned in doing their job as environment and river protectors.

Relatively, Deputy Director MEO East Florencio Diwa, Jr., on the other hand, expressed his interest in integrating the establishment of the Floating Gardens as part of the collaborative efforts with DENR-MEO-East’s partner LGUs.

Furthermore, he shared that the establishment of Floating Garden Structure/s will be considered as criteria for their next Annual Gawad Ilog Award.  Cynthia V. Carpio and Jon Simon P. Medrano, THWRDEC

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