TARLAC CITY, Tarlac – The Province of Tarlac has officially recognized the outstanding barangays that demonstrated exemplary environmental governance and sustainable waste management practices during the Calendar Year 2026 Barangay Environmental Compliance Audit (BECA) Provincial Level Assessment and Validation.
The announcement, made on August 20, 2026, marks the culmination of a rigorous evaluation process spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 3, aimed at assessing and elevating environmental compliance of local government units within the Manila Bay Watershed Area.
Top Performers Emerge After Stringent Evaluation
In the City Category, Barangay San Jose in Tarlac City clinched the top spot, while in the Municipality Category, Barangay Calibungan in Victoria emerged as the first-place winner.
The Municipal Category also saw a tie for second place between Barangay La Purisima in La Paz and Barangay O’Donnell in Capas. Barangay San Nicolas Poblacion in Concepcion secured third place, while Barangay San Rafael in Bamban rounded out the top four.
Comprehensive Assessment Process
The road to the provincial winners’ announcement began with the Provincial Table Validation on August 13, 2026, led by DILG Tarlac Provincial Director Zotico Gerson Villanueva, Jr., together with LGOO VII Dennis Daquiz, LGOO V Ladislao Puno III, and LGOO II Lloyd Janver Apan.
Prior to the table validation, the Provincial Assessment Committee (PAC) conducted rigorous onsite assessments on August 4, 5, and 12, 2026. The PAC comprised key government agencies including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO), the Provincial Government of Tarlac – Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (PG-OPA), and BIGKIS Task Force, Inc., representing Civil Society Organizations.
Evaluation Criteria Focus on Solid Waste Management
The assessment was conducted based on Provincial-level Indicators aligned with Republic Act 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Barangays were evaluated on their functional organizational structure and the role of Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committees, existing solid waste management facilities and segregated collection systems, Materials Recovery Facilities operations, formulated and enacted local environmental ordinances, as well as support initiatives, innovative practices, and overall compliance with established waste reduction standards.
Provincial Pride and Regional Recognition
The recognized barangays will be officially endorsed to the DILG Regional Assessment Committee for the regional-level validation, showcasing Tarlac’s outstanding achievements in ecological governance and its commitment to preserving the Manila Bay Watershed.
“Thank you to our barangay officials, environmental workers, and residents for your steadfast commitment to keeping our communities clean, green, and resilient. Your hard work serves as a shining model for the entire province,” the DILG Tarlac stated in their announcement.
The BECA initiative continues to strengthen local environmental governance, encouraging barangays across Tarlac to maintain high standards of ecological compliance and sustainable waste management practices.
