Commitment to a Sustainable Calaca City

The City Government of Calaca, through the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OCENRO), launched the flagship clean and green program, NASa Imis Ganda, on March 9, 2024. This initiative is a comprehensive environmental program that goes beyond the standard clean and green campaign. The NASa Imis Ganda also ingrains in it the Character City Program which aims to complement its implementation—leading, educating, and shaping a sense of environmental accountability among Calacazens and in their routines and activities—through the 12 character traits.

The program’s primary objective is to facilitate activities and projects that help improve the city’s environment and balance in nature, upon which other aspects of life of Calacazens may benefit. Said improvement is anchored in the continuous barangay bayanihan and the execution of Tamang Gawa (the Character City Program campaign) by the Calacazens. Significantly, the NASa Imis Ganda is the city’s compliance mechanism for Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and for the City’s Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan. Furthermore, for the efficient response of the involved sectors, City Mayor Sofronio “Nas” C. Ona, Jr. asseverated that the 12 Character Traits and other relevant LGU departments’ programs and implementations be incorporated into the NASa Imis Ganda.

For its inaugural year, the program introduced and launched a competition among the 40 barangays that highlighted their respective program designs that responded to clean and green engagement, the Calacazens’ ingenuity to indigenous materials use and recovery, the discipline and exhibition of values across all barangays, and the decrease of nuisance and law violations. Through the profound efforts and commitment of the City Government and the barangays, the NASa Imis Ganda showcased the possibility-turned-reality of creating a sustainable and livable city.

The Program Compliance Monitoring Team (PCMT) of the NASa Imis Ganda conducted the thorough and rigorous monthly evaluations of the barangays’ performances as a response to the program’s objective. The barangays’ compliance to the program were measured against key, weighted standards, including:

• Greening and Beautification;
• Community Engagement;
• Functional Material Recovery Facility (MRF);
• Active Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee (BESWMC);
• Compliance with All LGU Departments’ Programs and Implementations; and 
• Execution of the 12 Character Traits 

The program’s first year has shown visible, positive changes, attracting the attention of the CALABARZON region. This led to a formal award and recognition for the City of Calaca from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Regional Office during the Environmental Summit held on August 13, 2025.

Now in its second year, “NASa Imis Ganda” continues under the supervision of the OCENRO. The program’s standards have become more progressive, aiming to intensify cleanliness and beauty while providing solutions to environmental issues. The NASa Imis Ganda program is a steadfast pledge that will continue to represent the city’s unwavering commitment to Tama ang Gawa for the current and future generations of Calacazens.

NASA IMIS GANDA AWARDS NIGHT: UNITY TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

More than the dazzling gowns and impeccable accented Barong Tagalogs and tuxedos worn by the barangay officials, sectoral representatives, stakeholders representatives, PCMT members, and City Government officials, the excitement and anticipation were evident in everyone’s expressions. The year-long monitoring and evaluation of the 40 barangays concluded with the NASa Imis Ganda Awards Night held on March 21, 2025, at Forest Crest Nature and Resort.

In recognition of outstanding efforts and contributions, here are the NASA IMIS GANDA Awards presented:

NASA IMIS GANDA Top Performing Barangays 

Top Performing Barangay (2024–2025): Barangay Bisaya  

First Runner-Up (2024–2025): Barangay Balimbing 

Second Runner-Up (2024–2025): Barangay Tamayo

NASA IMIS GANDA Top Cluster Performers 

Urban Cluster: Barangay Poblacion 5 

Midland Cluster: Barangay Niyugan

Sub-Urban Cluster: Barangay Salong

NASA IMIS GANDA Special Awards

Most Promising Eco-Tourism Spot: Barangay Taklang Anak

Best Character Trait Barangay: Barangay Bisaya

NASA IMIS GANDA Awards for Agencies, Industry, and Business Establishments NASA Calyenisan “Top Performing Industrial Component: Calaca Harvest Terminal Inc. 

NASA Imis Sa Aming Palengke “Most Compliant Market Stall: KC Sari-Sari Store (Stall # MISC 5-6)

NASA Imis Sa Aming Office “Most Compliant City Government Office”: City Market Development & Administration Office

NASA IMIS GANDA Bantayog ng “Tama ang Gawa” 

Barangays: Bambang, Puting Kahoy, Matipok, Puting Bato East

NASA IMIS GANDA Bantayog ng “Kaganapan ng Pagtalima” 

Barangays: Dila, Dacanlao, Sinisian, Poblacion 4, Loma, Poblacion 3, Lumbang na Bata, Caluangan, Puting Bato West, Madalunot

NASA IMIS GANDA Bantayog ng “Pagsisikap” 

Barangays: Lumbang na Matanda, Timbain, Bagong Tubig, Cahil, Lumbang Calzada, Pantay, Poblacion 6, Calantas, Munting Coral, Poblacion 1

NASA IMIS GANDA Bantayog ng “Maka-Kapaligirang Pag-Asa” 

Barangays: Talisay, Baclas, Coral ni Lopez, Taklang Anak, Camastilisan, Makina, Poblacion 2, Coral ni Bacal, San Rafael, Quisumbing

As the Awards Night came to a close, it was reiterated that the NASa Imis Ganda will persist its implementation and will pursue its goals to sustain the excellent outcome of said program. The event reaffirmed that with unity and harmony, compliance becomes a stronger form of respect and responsibility.