The Malabon City Government recognized Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) as a “Nature Conservation Partner” during its “Gabi ng Pasasalamat 2024” held recently at the Rizal Park Hotel, Manila.
The Malabon City government, led by Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval, awarded several outstanding Malabueños, contributors and stakeholders as key partners in efforts to implement development programs in the city.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, who had been recognized as one of the outstanding public servants and one of the top performing mayors in National Capital Region (NCR) for 2023, said: “Sa ating Gabi ng Pasasalamat 2024, nais nating pasalamatan at kilalanin ang mga natatanging Malabueno, organisasyon, ahensya, mga indibidwal, at iba pang mga grupong walang sawang sumusuporta sa mga proyekto at programa ng iba’t ibang departamento ng pamahalaang lungsod na siya ring nagiging dahilan upang maipatupad natin ang mga ito ng maayos, epektibo, at naaayon sa mga pangagailangan ng mga mahal na Malabueno, tungo sa patuloy na pagunlad ng kanilang mga buhay at sa pag-ahon ng Malabon.”
(On our Night of Thanksgiving 2024, we want to thank and recognize the outstanding Malabueno, organizations, agencies, individuals, and other groups tirelessly supporting the projects and programs of various departments of the city government, which are also the reasons for us to implement them properly, effectively, and in accordance with the needs of the beloved Malabuenos, towards the continuous development of their lives and the upliftment of Malabon).”
Mother Earth Foundation was acknowledged for its role in assisting the barangays in their Zero Waste Management Program.
At present, Dampalit Malabon’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has a total waste capacity of 731.97 tonnes, while Hulong Duhat has 772.86 tonnes. These two MRFs help manage hazardous, special, residual, recyclables, kitchen, and garden wastes. Meanwhile, the MRF in Tonsuya, which has a waste capacity of only 24.63 tonnes, manages all waste except hazardous ones. For compost management, Dampalit, Hulong Duhat, and Tonsuya’s, MRFs are able to manage 129.45 tonnes, 138.43 tonnes 19.38 tonnes of biodegradable waste, respectively.
These MRFs are essential to MEF’s work in supporting the implementation of the barangays’ Zero Waste Management Programs. These efforts led to the effective implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program in Malabon City.
Mother Earth Foundation Chairman Sonia Mendoza underscored the organization’s diligence and consistency in zero waste initiatives, which proved significant to the honors. “MEF was the sole awardee for the Malabon Nature Conservation Partner award. We have continued our Zero Waste program with the 21 barangays of Malabon, all of which involved and engaged their public schools in collaboration with the Department of Education’s Schools Division Office in Malabon City, which was very enthusiastic about the collaboration. It is this spirit of cooperation between different sectors that helped shape the success of our zero waste efforts,” she said.
During the International Zero Waste Month in January, MEF launched its Juana Zero Waste Express Store initiative in partnership with the city governments of Malabon and Navotas and selected sari-sari store owners in the two areas. The effort, which started in 2022, has been part of the MEF’s activities to help communities Go For Zero Waste. MEF supported several sari-sari store owners across different municipalities setting up zero waste areas in their sari-sari stores to influence their neighborhoods to reduce waste. The January launch included a handover ceremony at the Malabon City Hall where Mother Earth Foundation, store owners, and the local governments of Malabon and Navotas celebrated the beginning of a more sustainable future.
Store owner Cecilia Unson said during the launch, “I hope more zero waste options expand because there will no longer be plastic to be used, our environment will be clean, our planet will be clean.”
“I hope other people will be educated too, assisted in their livelihoods, and become our allies in implementing zero waste management,” added store owner Juan Amatos, who has been in the business for over 15 years.
Seventy-nine (79) individuals, government agencies, and organizations from various industries were honored for their significant contributions in the implementation of the Malabon City government’s programs, projects, and ordinances that would support the development of their residents’ lives.
These partnerships between governments and civil society organizations such as Mother Earth Foundation are essential for achieving long-term Zero Waste goals that would ensure a sustainable and circular society are possible for future generations. (PR)
