SAN JUAN CITY— Greenpeace and the local government of San Juan City through Mayor Francis Zamora signed three Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) on World Water Day to promote sustainable solutions with the goal to promote better and sustainable cities.
The MoA signing coincides with the celebration of World Water Day to highlight the importance of sustainable cities to ensure people’s access to clean and safe water, as well as other ecosystem services provided by a healthy environment.
”As a city adversely affected by climate change, San Juan City is committed to saving our environment, not just preserving it but actually restoring it to its pristine glory. We are happy to partner with Greenpeace in pushing for a greener Philippines and a greener San Juan,” Zamora said during the MoA signing event. “Signing these MoAs will also assure the San Juaneños that their government is committed to making these happen as subsequent environmental projects will also be launched for a cleaner, safer and healthier community, which further validate that San Juan now is truly a Makabagong San Juan.”
“Local government units have a big role to play in the country’s green and just recovery,” said Greenpeace campaigner Rhea Jane Mallari. “As cities become more unlivable due to the increasing vulnerability and compounding impacts of climate crisis and pandemic, prioritizing people’s well-being in city developments and programs need to come first. We are happy to work with San Juan City in this initial step towards the realization of a just, livable and climate-responsive cities.”
The partnership with San Juan City is part of Greenpeace’s Liveable Cities campaign. The partnership involves three key projects:
- Community-based alternative delivery systems that will help address plastic pollution at root by integrating refill and reuse systems in community stores
- Installation of air pollution monitors within the city to keep track of air quality, particularly from fossil-fuel based transport
- The Climate and Pandemic Response Portal which aims to spur citizen action towards climate resilient cities
“The pandemic and the climate crises are showing us that the wellbeing of people and the planet are closely interlinked,” said Mallari. “Instead of going back to normal, cities can aim for a better normal through policies and programs that do not just promote climate action, but will enable them to be resilient to disasters, and responsive to the well-being of citizens.”
Note:
Under its liveable cities campaign, Greenpeace Philippines is partnering with various cities to promote climate resilient and climate responsive cities that put citizen participation and welfare at the center. In October last year, Greenpeace, together with Malabon Councilor Nadja Vicencio, San Juan City, AKLAT Foundation, and DepEd Malabon launched the Climate Pandemic & Response Portal, an online interactive platform that allows citizens, LGUs and MSMEs to collaboratively address pressing urban issues magnified by the climate and COVID pandemic crises.
Media Contact:
Maria Katrina Eusebio
Digital Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines+639992296451 | [email protected]