THE provincial government of Bulacan, led by Gov. Daniel Fernando and the League of Municipalities-Bulacan Chapter, paid a courtesy visit to Osaka City to learn best practices and benchmark solid waste management practices.
Osaka is known for its eco-friendly waste-to-energy incinerating facility.
Fernando was also accompanied by Dr. Reghis Romero 2nd, former presidential special envoy to Japan, and had a series of meetings with the Osaka City government.
Fernando and the rest of the Bulacan official contingent had meetings with Vice Mayor Takahashi Toru at the Osaka City Hall and other officers to benchmark the city’s effective solutions to solid waste management and possibly adapt them to the province of Bulacan.
During the meeting with Osaka City government officials, Fernando said that Bulacan will continue to step up toward its vision for an environmentally responsible province.
“By benchmarking Japan’s advanced technologies and adapting them to suit local conditions, we are taking definitive steps in addressing our lingering solid waste management issues. We will continue to collaborate and consult with relevant stakeholders, such as government agencies, private enterprises, and the local communities for the successful adoption and implementation of these technologies,” the governor said.
Learning from Japan as a globally recognized nation in advanced waste management practices and innovative technologies, the delegation also met with the city’s Waste Management Authority in Minamieguchi, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka.
Together with the governor to represent each local government unit were Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr., president of Bulacan Mayors League; Pandi Mayor Enrico Roque; City of Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad; Mayor Reynante Bautista; Plaridel Mayor Jocell Vistan-Casaje; Santa Maria Mayor Bartolome Ramos; Paombong Mayor Maryanne Marcos; Marilao Mayor Henry Lutao; Pulilan Mayor Maria Rosario Montejo; Hagonoy Mayor Flordeliza Manlapaz; Obando Mayor Leonardo Valeda; Balagtas Mayor Eladio Gonzales Jr.; Norzagaray Mayor Ma. Elena Germar; and Board Member Romeo Castro Jr. as the representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Provincial Administrator Antonette Constantino, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Arlene G. Pascual, Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Officer Atty. Julius Victor Degala, and DILG Bulacan Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia were also part of the official delegation to Japan.