President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on local government units (LGU) to emulate the solid waste management initiatives of Marikina, which he said is a good example of a circular economy, to rid trash from their waterways as the government ramps up its anti-flooding campaign.
The Chief Executive made the statement after he inspected ongoing construction of the Marikina River Linear Park and the and the Centralized Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Barangay Sto. Niño, Marikina City last Monday.
The 11-kilometer park will integrate 428.57 hectares of urban green spaces and will serve as bio-shield, localized flood buffer and natural cooler, as well as physical barrier for illegal waste dumping to prevent flooding in Marikina.
Marcos lauded the comprehensive flood control measures of Marikina, which includes implementing a no build zone, installation of trash catcher in the Marikina River, as well as composting or recycling waste.
‘Food waste is turned into compost, while plastics are used to make bags and bricks,’ he said in Filipino.
The initiative is backed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in terms of the installation of the floating trash traps and the deployment of ‘estero’ rangers for waterway clean up in 12 barangays in Marikina.
Marcos said Marikina’s solid waste management initiatives is a good example of a circular economy, wherein the wastes are segregated and then reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled.
‘This should serve as the template-and is indeed becoming the template-for various cities across the Philippines, especially, of course, here in the NCR [National Capital Region],’ Marcos said.
He earlier said he wants LGUs to intensify their efforts in implementing the ‘no build zone: law, as well as solid waste segregation, to reduce incidents of flooding, which was worsened because of extreme weather caused by climate change.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President ordered DENR to ensure LGUs comply with solid waste management and for the Department of the Interior and Local Government to encourage local officials to replicate the model used by Marikina City.
She said Marcos also emphasized the important role of the public cooperation with authorities in terms of waste disposal.