Our planet is slowly deteriorating – our ozone
layer is depleting, and our bodies of water dying. The environmental problem is
REAL and is HAPPENING IN REAL-TIME. Scientists protested and warned about the “rapid and deep cuts” to greenhouse gas
emissions that are necessary by 2025 to avoid catastrophic climate effects. If
us, humans, failed to act now, the effects will be irreversible. Let us heed
the words of Ariana Grande in her song “Just
Look Up” and I quote, “Listen to the
goddamn qualified scientists.”
In my hometown, Marikina City, the local government
unit, the educational institutions, and the community are hand-in-hand in addressing
these environmental concerns through campaigns, projects, and ordinances. The
examples of the aforementioned environmental actions practice by Marikenyos are
“Munting Basura, Ibulsa Muna” “Breeze EcoProject,” “Proper Waste Management (4
Regular Waste Collection),” “Marikina Bikeways Project,” and “Anti-Smoke
Belching Unit.”
The Local Government Unit (LGU) implemented
ordinances that promotes responsible citizenship and environmental awareness,
which are Ordinance No. 46 for proper
waste segregation, Ordinance No. 135
which prohibits improper garbage disposal, and Ordinance No. 73 for anti-littering. Marikina is known as well for
the regulated use of plastic on wet goods and ban of use of plastic
packaging/bags on dry goods. The LGU also operates an Anti-Smoke Belching Ordinance where daily roadside inspection to
check the emission level of motor vehicles to ensure a clean, safe air in the
city. Strict compliance of the ordinances is observed by the citizens.
Therefore, the city is known for its good governance and good citizens.
The educational institutions in Marikina
participate in the molding of environmental consciousness of the students by
organizing campaigns like “Munting Basura, Ibulsa Muna” that promotes
responsible waste disposal especially small pieces of trash like candies,
crumpled paper, and etc. Projects like Breeze EcoProject also rolled out in
schools in 2021 and it has three phases: Educate, Engage, and Empower. This
includes online lectures about the importance of environment, workshops on
recycling water bottles, and mongo-seed planting activities. The seeds planted
in the young minds of the students are the start of the fight for the future
against climate change.
The household and community in my hometown abides
by the schedule of the garbage collection that occurs four times in every
barangay — for biodegradable (twice), recyclables, and special waste—as well as
monthly collection of used cooking oil. The styrofoams, stretchable plastics,
and used cooking oils are used to create eco bricks or eco pavers for projects
like city’s infrastructures and pot making. Plastic bottles are also recycled
into street embellishments and alternative for plant pots. The food wastes from
food business and public markets are also collected and turned into compost.
The environmentally conscious actions practiced in Marikina should be the model city in the Philippines so that we may not end up in regret when the effects of climate change are irreversible. Long story short, let us remember the winning answer of Ms. Earth 2017, Karen Ibasco, “What we have to do is to start changing our ways, to start recalibrating our minds, and redirecting our steps, because together, as a global community, our micro efforts will have a macro effect to help save our home, our planet.”
REFERENCES:
Osborne, M. (2022, April 13). Scientists Stage
Worldwide Climate Change Protests After IPCC Report. Smithsonian Magazine.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-stage-worldwide-climate-protests-after-ipcc-report-180979913/
Barrientos, G. S. (2022, November 21). Marikina
understands the impact of climate crisis. Here’s how students are taking
action. RAPPLER.
https://www.rappler.com/brandrap/marikina-impact-climate-crisis-how-students-taking-action/
Mayor Marcy shares secrets in sustaining city’s
sustainability: In Marikina, we treat waste as a resource, not trash. (2023, February
2). Manila Bulletin.
https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/02/mayor-marcy-shares-secrets-in-sustaining-citys-sustainability-in-marikina-we-treat-waste-as-a-resource-not-trash/
Inside Marikina’s green initiatives | Department of
Education. (2021, July 12). https://www.deped.gov.ph/2021/07/12/inside-marikinas-green-initiatives/
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