Marikina, Parañaque among recipients of ASEAN environmental awards

The cities of Marikina and Parañaque were honored during the 5th ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) and Certificates of Recognition (COR) awarding ceremony on Thursday.

The City of Marikina was given the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities Award after receiving the highest scores in the clean air, land and water assessments of the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In addition to being a pioneer in solid waste management in the country, Marikina was reported to have seen a 47% reduction in apprehended smoke belchers and over 70% households and industries linked to existing wastewater treatment facilities.

Meanwhile, Parañaque received a certificate of recognition under the “Clean Land for Big Cities” category.

The city was commended for its strict implementation of segregation and proper waste disposal for its solid waste management program.

The awards were received by Third Secretary Noel Rodriguez of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN on behalf of the two cities.

The ASEAN ESC award was first held in 2008 and held every three years with the goal of encouraging cities in ASEAN to utilize their resources to become a standard for clean-and-green cities.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA News