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| MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando S. Artes led the opening of the inaugural Road To Zero Waste Summit which marked the launch of the agency's 10-year zero waste program for Metro Manila. (Image Source: Business Mirror/Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) |
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently conducted its inaugural Road to Zero Waste Summit 2024, held last November 5-6, 2024 at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. The event was a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to take the initial step toward a transformative 10-year zero waste program for Metro Manila, protecting the environment, the existing landfills, and the overall well-being of its stakeholders. One of the highlights of the summit was the Pledge of Commitment where MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando S. Artes together with MMDA General Manager Procopio G. Lipana, National Solid Waste Management Commission Vice Chairman Crispian Lao, and Laguna Lake Development (LLDA) Acting General Manager Atty. Senando A. Santiago signed the pledge, symbolizing their shared dedication to achieving a zero waste Metro Manila.
Notable attendees including City of Malabon Mayor Hon. Jeannie L. Sandoval; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and International Affairs Atty. Jonas R. Leones; and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Secretary for Local Government Atty. Jessi Howard S. Lanete were also present as witnesses to a total of 25 waste recyclers who pledged their commitment in supporting the MMDA’s Road to Zero Waste 10-Year Program through integrating strategies, systems, resources, and technologies — making the shift to a circular economy possible through a whole-of-nation approach. According to Atty. Artes, “The program covers all types of waste that will employ sustainable, practical, and preferable local solutions and methods. This marks the beginning of a dynamic collaboration between the government and private sector intended to bridge the gap in promoting environmental sustainability through the ecological use of solid waste as a resource. We are grateful to our partners, recyclers who put up these exhibits and who tirelessly explore ways and innovations to make solid waste usable and not something to be discarded. MMDA is with you in pursuing such initiatives.”
A Platform For Collaboration And Innovation
The summit featured 16 panel discussions, 5 breakout sessions, and 30 exhibit booths, all focusing on raising the level of public awareness and participation on adopting best Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices in communities – such as food waste composting methods and technologies, recycling of PET bottles and other plastics, and interventions through resource recovery facilities that establish a systemic, comprehensive, and ecological approach to waste management. Attendees also explored ways to integrate circular economy principles into the Metro Manila waste management landscape. Discussions ranged from promoting public-private partnerships to implementing advanced recycling technologies. The summit also emphasized the importance of community engagement, with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns urging citizens to adopt sustainable waste practices starting with the most important component: segregation. Undersecretary Lipana was adamant about the initiative’s objectives, encouraging all stakeholders to come together, saying, “Let us now leave the linear economy principle, as far as waste management is concerned. We have to close the loop. We have to practice circular economy.”
Moving Forward Toward Zero Waste
By implementing a holistic approach that encompasses waste reduction, recycling, and resource recovery, the MMDA aims to divert waste from landfills and create a cleaner, healthier future for Metro Manila. Intensive public awareness campaigns will be launched to educate the communities and the general public about the importance of waste reduction and proper waste disposal. MMDA will expand and improve recycling programs by bridging the gap between and among communities, government agencies, and private recycling companies and organizations. Meanwhile, the Authority will continuously explore opportunities to develop waste-to-energy facilities to convert waste into clean energy, and promote utilization of technologies to divert compostable and recyclable wastes. With these strategies under the road-to-zero waste program, community empowerment and public-private partnerships will be further strengthened to implement sustainable localized waste management solutions. The MMDA is looking to pilot activities through initial collaborations in selected barangays, city markets, and malls with custom-made zero waste management guide maps to be implemented by their Solid Waste Management Office. The MMDA invites all stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and government agencies, to participate in this transformative initiative.
