Zero Waste Month and the 4th Eco-Waste Management Summit

Thirteen years of Ra 9003 and 4 years of Zero Waste Month is a partnership built to last; only because of continuing need to be environmentally responsible extends even beyond our lifetimes. Hence the 4th Eco -Waste Management Summit, with its theme “Strengthening Cooperation and Partnerships On Ecological Solid Waste Management for the Present and Future Generations”, will be held on January 25-27, 2018 at the ABC-CBN Vertis Tent, Quezon City.

As in the past, the event will be spearheaded by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Natural Resources (DENR). The department is tasked to further enhance public awareness and understanding of environmental issues and concerns and focus on practical know-how for effective solid waste management at  source (i.e., waste segregation, composting and recycling).

This year’s summit brings together a myriad of stakeholders all of which contribute to the teamwork required to create a future where citizens enjoy clean air and an environment secure from natural calamities. Nothing short of wanting to save the planet, the Pinoy edition, the summit presents an interactive program to inspire participants to spread the information and take action.

The 3-day event not just includes seminars and talks on current issues, legislation and innovations but participants will get treated to a a technological expo of products and services on eco-waste management.

Some highlights…

Quezon City was among the pioneers at enforcing eco-waste management reforms at the municipality level, hence, no less than Honorable Mayor Herbert Bautista, took the center stage and thanked the public-at-large for believing in a green QC.

Keynote speaker, chairperson of Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources, Cynthia Villar pressed on with the importance of developing livelihood programs as well as INDIVIDUAL or personal stewardship as major factors in sustaining shared responsibilities across different levels of society.

Speaking on behalf of DENR and the EMB, Secretary Roy Cimatu emphasized waging its war on ecological wastes particularly in our waters. But equally important is how eco-waste management must be addressed at the multi-sectoral levels hence the call out and acknowledgement to entities like the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) the Department of Health (DOH) and different LGUs and the DOH, for a few.

Long after the expo is realized, DENR’s Cimatu takes to heart and fruition its mission to not only raise more awareness but beef up efforts in solving the ever-increasing problems of garbage and pollution especially in urban areas.

We are called on then to take that shared accountability as law-abiding citizens and earthlings – an oath that we make to our children and children’s children – to work for zero waste management and save our future.