
MMDA pushes for ‘Clean Metro Manila’
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held its Road to Zero Waste Expo at the MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy in Pasig in support of a circular economy model towards a more sustainable and cleaner metropolis.
Anchored on the theme “Clean Metro Manila,” the expo aims to expand its impact by engaging a wider range of communities and fostering stronger waste management systems within Metro Manila, as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas” campaign which encourages participation among Filipinos on environmental responsibility through proper solid waste management.
Organized by the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office, the initiative involves the enhancement of public awareness and significant increases in waste diversion rates through a series of impactful activities aligned with the 10-Year Road to Zero Waste Program for Metro Manila.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said that the agency wants to elevate its zero-waste campaign through holistic approaches to cultivate a culture of sustainable waste management in the metropolis.
“Through the implementation of solid waste management-related interventions that the MMDA is currently pursuing in cooperation with the local government units and private sector, we will be able to achieve a Clean Metro Manila at the soonest possible time,” Artes said.
For his part, MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana emphasized that the agency has long espoused the vision of a cleaner Metro Manila by advocating waste reduction practices.
“To reach our targets, we hope that all stakeholders work together to create a unified and functional system and infrastructures, create partnerships and match businesses, and strategize on mapping out waste diversion points with our waste recyclers,” said Lipana. “Ultimately, only then will we be able to decrease waste volume and increase recycling from waste to valuable resources until we reach net zero.”
The Road to Zero Waste Expo, which coincides with the celebration of Zero Waste Month, introduced the unified Materials Recovery Systems (MRS) in Metro Manila.
Several booths also showcased sustainable products, including compost or soil conditioner, cocopots, lilipots, ecobricks, compressed stabilized earth blocks, and other byproducts of effective solid waste management practices. Edd Reyes and Arlene Rivera