THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to name the cleanest barangays in the metropolis.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said that the search dubbed as “Barangay Power 2012” aims to encourage all barangays in Metro Manila to maintain and sustain cleanliness in their areas.

“We will be honoring four barangays that are not only the cleanest but those that have the most effective and sustainable solid waste management programs,” Tolentino said.

One barangay from each of the four contest categories will be awarded with P1 million cash prize each and plaques of recognition during the awards ceremony to be held at Tanghalang Pasigueño in Pasig City on January 16, 2013, Tolentino said.

The four winners were chosen from the 37 finalist barangays earlier screened by a board of jurors composed of officials from the MMDA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and National Solid Waste Management Commission.

The competition automatically covered the 1,705 barangays of Metro Manila that were grouped into four categories, depending on their land area and income.

Category A includes barangays with land area of 300 hectares to 500 hectares and an income of P35 million and above; and Category B covers barangays with land area of 100 hectares to 299 hectares and income of P20 million to P35 million.

Barangays with land area of one to 99 hectares and income of P19 million below comprised Category C, while village-barangays or villages in barangays that are self-governing will be grouped in Category D.

Tolentino said the 37 barangays that made it to the final list of cleanest barangays underwent rigorous screening and assessment by the board of jurors.

Launched last March, the search was initiated by MMDA in partnership with the Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation Inc.