City of Malolos: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla has pledged support for major environmental initiatives in Bulacan, including the construction of waste-to-energy and biogas facilities, reports The Manila Times.
Lotilla made the commitment during the “Handog ng Pangulo Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” caravan, held on Saturday, September 13, at the Malolos Sports Complex, in celebration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 68th birthday.
Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said the waste-to-energy project is designed to address the province’s garbage problems while also supplying additional electricity through the melting process of waste materials. The initiative will be carried out through a public-private partnership, with opportunities for private investors to participate.
Lotilla assured that any permits or requirements from the DENR and other national agencies will be given free of charge to the provincial government to speed up the project.
For the planned biogas facilities, the DENR will work with other agencies to create a system that encourages investments from the poultry and hog industries. Lotilla explained that biogas will allow animal waste to be converted into an affordable alternative energy source. The new projects will be patterned after facilities Governor Fernando recently visited.
Alongside these efforts, the DENR will also prioritize tree planting in the province’s mountain areas. To support this, the agency turned over 1,000 tree seedlings and 500 fruit-bearing trees for planting activities.
Meanwhile, environmental jobs were also highlighted at the event. A total of 2,493 residents received wages through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. Under this 10-day emergency employment scheme, workers take part in cleaning public areas, organizing roadside greenery, improving community facilities, and clearing waterways of garbage.
In addition, 35 parents of former child laborers received livelihood packages under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. Ten individuals were granted training-for-work scholarships by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The event also featured a job fair organized by DOLE and the provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO), where 14 local employers and eight international agencies offered around 500 new job opportunities.
