THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-National Capital Region (NCR) arrived in San Carlos City for their experiential learning on environmentally sustainable cities and coastal resource management last week.In a statement, the city government said that the group will be observing the San Carlos City’s best practices on sustainable environmental protection and enforcement on waste treatment, septage, forestry, coastal marine managements, and its regulatory functions.DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, said that San Carlos is their first choice since it has been recognized locally and internationally because of its sustainable programs for the protection and preservation of the environment with its comprehensive reefs to ridge approach.She also admired how the city was able to effectively implement and sustain its programs that made it become a model in good environmental governance.Former DENR Assistant Secretary Corazon Davis said the city demonstrated good governance in terms of sustainability and was able adapt to climate change and balance economic development without having to compromise the environment.She added that the city has set the standards in sustainable program implementation through effective long-term comprehensive planning where she hopes to bring back the knowledge to the National Capital Region and apply whatever would be beneficial to their communities.City Environment Management Office staff Marietta Lomocsol and Melvin Maglayon, Conservation fellow and Community Development assistant I of the Coastal Resource Management Division, facilitated the group’s site visit to the Philippine Economic Zone Association (PEZA) registered special economic zone where renewable energy plants are located.Marine sanctuary in Sipaway Island was also visited as well as the established septage and water treatment at the island’s port side and the Galing Pook Awardees Public Cemetery, Memorial Tree Park as well as the City Public Market where No-Single Plastic Use Policy is evident.Engineer Arthur Batomalaque, CEMO Integrated Waste Management and Pollution Control division head, presented to the group on May 26, 2022 about the city’s sustainable environmental programs while they also shared how highly urbanized cities handle their environment including the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Project which include cleaning-up and water quality improvement, rehabilitation of the creeks or “esteros” sewerages, and resettlement of informal settlers and education and sustainment and its nourishment through laying of dolomite sands in the shoreline.Mayor Renato Gustilo warmly welcomed the guests during their courtesy call and proudly shared the city’s best practices including the city’s on-going and future development plans as well as toured them to the City Hall Annex Building and the local DRRM state-of-the-art command center. (PR)