(ZERO WASTE. Government officials of Bandung, Indonesia led by Mayor Oded Mohamad Danial conduct an on-site inspection at Pilar Village’s Materials Recovery Facility during their visit in the City of San Fernando as part of Mother Earth Foundation’s (MEF) Zero Waste Cities Network program. They are assisted by Councilor BJ Lagman and MEF President Froilan Grate. Contributed Photo)
GOVERNMENT officials of Bandung, Indonesia led by Mayor Oded Mohamad Danial expressed their admiration to the City Government of San Fernando for its best practices towards zero waste during their visit today.
The delegation was welcomed by Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, together with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) headed by Regina Rodriguez and Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) chaired by Sonia Mendoza.
In a short program, Mayor EdSa shared the city’s journey in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act which he admitted was never easy.
“Back then, we saw garbage as one of our biggest problems so we took the challenge of adopting green practices which eventually resulted into a city that is now dubbed as one of the Best Zero Waste Models in the Asia Pacific region,” he added.
Santiago furthered that the secret to a sustainable and ecologically-balanced city is the cooperation of everyone including households, schools and establishments.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian team was also toured to Pilar Village, the city’s model subdivision, for an on-site inspection of its Materials Recovery Facility and observation of actual garbage collection in the households.
Mayor Danial, for his part, said their team was greatly impressed with CSF’s approaches in waste management calling it ‘extraordinary and ideals-based’.
He added that the Bandung Government is looking forward to a formal partnership with San Fernando to further promote zero waste and pursue more positive environmental impacts.
The activity is part of MEF’s Zero Waste Cities Network program which main objective is to connect citizens from different countries who shall work collaboratively to reduce waste.
Aside from the City of San Fernando, the Indonesian delegates is also set to visit Quezon City.
