By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged cities across the country to adopt Marikina City’s integrated solid waste management system, citing its contribution to reducing waste and helping address the city’s long-standing flooding problems.
Marcos made the call Monday after touring Marikina’s Centralized Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), where he reviewed the city’s waste recovery, recycling and disposal operations.
The President was accompanied during the visit by Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro and Mayor Maan Teodoro.
Marcos praised Marikina’s approach as an example of a circular economy, noting that materials that can still be reused or recycled are recovered and processed instead of being immediately discarded.
He said the system could serve as a template for other local governments, particularly cities in Metro Manila and other areas struggling with garbage management.
“This is the best example of a circular economy because as much as possible, everything that can still be reused or recycled is being put to use,” Marcos said.
He also highlighted Marikina’s enforcement of no-build zones and the installation of trash catchers along the Marikina River as part of the city’s efforts to manage flooding and prevent waste from reaching waterways.
Marcos said local governments need integrated ecological solid waste management systems that address both environmental protection and flood mitigation, particularly as the country faces the effects of climate change.
The Marikina facility can process about 80 tons of waste daily, equivalent to 20 percent of the more than 400 tons of waste generated in the city each day.
Recovered materials are converted into products such as compost, plastic chairs for schools, eco-bricks and eco-bags.
The facility also maintains separate collection systems for food waste, used cooking oil, household hazardous waste, healthcare waste, and bulky or special waste.
More than 225 tons of waste are diverted daily, while about 184 tons are disposed of each day. Residual waste is handled through a centralized garbage transfer system and ultimately brought to the New San Mateo Sanitary Landfill for final disposal.
Marcos also inspected the ongoing construction of the Marikina River Linear Park in Barangay Sto. Niño.
The project covers an 11-kilometer stretch integrated with 428.57 hectares of urban green spaces. It is designed to function as a bio-shield, localized flood buffer, natural cooler and physical barrier against illegal waste dumping, while helping protect communities from flooding.
Marcos said the national government would continue promoting Marikina’s waste management model among local government units as part of broader efforts to improve garbage disposal and flood management.
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