A JAPANESE environmentalist was impressed when she arrived in Davao City, affirming that the city is indeed clean and commended the efforts of city government in maintaining the cleanliness of its environment despite being highly urbanized.
Shom Teoh, program manager of Sustainable Cities, International Global Environmental Strategies, in a press briefing during the national forum on Eco-Schools and Eco-Cities: Overcoming Challenges and Upscaling Opportunities, said she was stunned by how the city has developed a clean surrounding which she witnessed while traveling from the airport to the hotel where she is staying.
“My first impression, actually I have been to many model cities and big cities in Asia. I think Davao is very clean really. I’m very impressed,” Teoh said.
Teoh also said that Davao City is considered as a model city in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in terms of environment protection, conservation and management.
Teoh is looking forward to see various programs and projects being implemented in terms of green development in Davao and that their group’s mission is to support change and positive transformation in the region.
They have been working with a regional network of top green cities in Asean and decided that environmental education is the key in mobilizing a new generation of leaders who are more conscious and responsible about the environment and not only economic and social.
Part of the 10-point agenda of City Mayor Sara Duterte is the solid waste management, which promotes an environment-friendly city and green development.
Being a densely populated city with 1.5 million population and congested modern infrastructure, it is challenging on the part of the environment department of the city to maintain its cleanliness.
City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) head Eliza Madrazo said that they are glad that an environment advocate has noticed how they have properly maintained environment through imposing several programs and projects in upholding an eco-friendly city.
“We are happy for that impression especially first time for her to visit Davao, it truly boost the morale of the workers of Cenro especially those on the ground,” Madrazo said in a text message Thursday.
Davao City has been internationally recognized as one of the cleanest cities in Asean for its stern commitment in maintaining the cleanliness of its environment and promoting a sustainable environment practices under the category of Clean Land for Big Cities by the Asean Environment Ministers.