VALENZUELA City Mayor Wes Gatchalian led other key local officials in launching the ‘Trash to Cashback’ program aimed at encouraging proper waste management and advocating environmental awareness and responsibility among ‘Valenzuelanos.’
The city government has partnered with Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies Inc. (BEST) to employ a reward-based system to encourage residents to practice proper waste segregation and recycling in their daily habits.
Under the program, recyclables such as single-use plastics, metals, papers, glass, and electronic waste would now all have corresponding ‘environmental ‘points that can be converted to redeemable rewards, not bad.
While the local government has been deploying dump trucks to collect garbage day-to-day, “it is observed that a portion of it is considered recyclable; due to the lack of awareness or incentives, it is often discarded along with the general waste.”
The local government then sought a solution to promote recycling behavior among Valenzuelanos, starting from their own homes, through incentivizing and converting recyclables into monetary or redeemable rewards.
The program would not only foster environmentally responsible behavior but also offer an opportunity to earn.
Navotas housing project for ISF-beneficiaries
The National Housing Authority and the Navotas City government have inaugurated two new low-rise buildings designed to benefit 120 informal settler families.
Top officials said the LRBs would be part of the ‘Navotaas’ Homes 5 Phase 2 in Barangay Tanza 1. Each building will consist of five storeys and is composed of a total of 60 units with 24-sqm floor area.
Mayor John Rey Tiangco and brother, Rep. Tobias Tiangco, who led other key local officials during the event expressed gratitude to NHA for prioritizing the homeless city folk.
NHA General Manager Joeben Tai emphasized the importance of the event as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to providing homes and sustainable communities to the Filipino people.
The Navotaas Homes 5 is part of the local government’s comprehensive plan to house the remaining ISFs in the city who are residing in danger areas and waterways.
A total of 1,440 Navoteño families stand to benefit from the housing project upon the completion of 24 LRBs.
