Attorney Francis Tolentino, Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), led a delegation of MMDA officials and members of the Metro Manila Mayor’s Spouses Foundation (MMMSF) in the launching of “Valenzuelako, Love Ko: Anti-Littering Campaign” recently at the VCCPA Theater in Valenzuela City.

The program is the local counterpart of MMDA’s “Metro Ko: Love ko,” the urban renewal and anti-littering campaign endorsed to the different Local Government Units in Metro Manila for implementation.  Valenzuelako, Love Ko is centered on the promotion of a healthy living environment through responsible waste management and environmental education.

Ms. Jing Hernandez, Valenzuela City’s representative to the Metro Manila Spouses Foundation, facilitated the event dominated by a majority of student audience.

Mayor WIN, believing in the dictum “teach them while they are young,” addressed the attendees on the importance of continuous practices in waste management. “As long as you commit yourselves to doing it. Nothing is impossible.” He said.

Prior to the launch, the audience was given a primer on waste management by Ms. Baby Ng, from the Environmental Police Unit (EPU) of the City External Services Office (Action Center). Students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) and nearby schools were given a voice in the program, stating their opinions on effective means of waste disposal.

Visiting Valenzuela City for the third time, MMDA General Manager Cora Jimenez observed that the improvements were noticeable each time she passes by. “I am very impressed. Valenzuela City is very clean.” She exhorted the people to love their City, concluding that “Nobody will love Valenzuela City but yourselves.”

MMDA Chairman Attorney Francis Tolentino stressed that cooperation between the different sectors of society is the key to sustainable development. “Alagaan natin ang Metro Manila. Malinis na kapaligiran lamang ang maipamamana natin sa susunod na salinlahi natin. (Let us take good care of Metro Manila. A clean environment is the only legacy we can pass on to the next generation.)” He said.

“This is a very timely project, especially because of the fact that irresponsibly disposed garbage is the common cause of flooding in our city,” Mayor WIN concluded.

(2011-06-27)