Davao City had been seen as a prospect for model of ‘green growth’ in the Philippines by Mayor Kenji Kitahashi of the Japanese City of Kitakyushu.
The city mayor of Davao Mayor Inday Sara Duterte just signed an environmental agreement with Kitahashi last Tuesday.
The Strategic Environmental Partnership Agreement intends to make the city a “model for intercity cooperation in the Philippines,” and had been signed at the City Hall’s conference hall on Tuesday afternoon.
In addition, the agreement also aims for the “development of the city environment focusing on waste management”, as well as the “creation of a low-carbon society which is instrumental to the development of a green economy.”
Mayor Kitahashi shared that he knew of the concerns of Davao regarding their waste management.
“I heard that as social and economic development rapidly progressed in Davao, the amount of waste produced has grown each year,” he said.
“On the other hand, existing waste disposal sites are strained, and relieving that strain has become a pressing issue,” the Japanese mayor added.
According to a study done by Japan International Aid Agency (Jica), the city is capable of accomodating a waste-to-energy facility that can help improve waste management.
According to further statistics, the city has produced 916 tons of waste on a daily basis in the year 2015 and is expected to rise to 1,053 tons per day by the year 2021.
Due to this, the landfill in New Carmen, Tugbok is expected to be filled up with waste after 5 to 7 years.
The Davao City Mayor has expressed her gratitude to Mayor Kitahashi for the opportunity and the strategic partnership.
“The issue on solid management and handling, carbon emissions, and global warming are universal ones and are a shared concern among all cities, including our cities.”
“A partnership such as this is not only beneficial and timely, but has become necessary and encouraged,” the Davao mayor said.
“Davao City welcomes the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and technology as a city that is booming and developing, we welcome all the assistance we could get from our partners.”
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