“Very good, Mayor [Edwin “EdSa” Santiago]. Thank you sa inyong pagbibigay buhay sa aking ginawang batas, ang RA [Republic Act] 9003. Sana ma-impluwensyahan mo rin ang ibang mga city mayors and officials.”
Thus, said former Senator and now House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, during the online episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways.”
Legarda, author of Republic Act 9003, commended “Zero Waste Champion” Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago on Thursday’s online program.
This was after Santiago shared the programs and initiatives of the City of San Fernando in solving plastic pollution. Santiago started his environmental initiative in 2014 with City Ordinance 2014-008, an ordinance regulating the use of plastic bags while promoting the use of reusable bags and prohibiting the use of polystyrene (Styro) for food products in the city.
On June 13, 2015, the local government unit issued the total ban on plastic “sando” bags and styrofoams in the city and instead, encouraged the community to use alternatives such as eco-bags, paper bags, and carton boxes.
The mayor disclosed that the City’s secret for becoming a green, smart, livable, and ecologically balanced city, is the consistent adherence to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law authored by Legarda and the effective collaboration of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) headed by Regina Rodriguez to Mother Earth Foundation and other environmental groups.
Santiago was also joined in the online conference by Juls Roriguez of Plastic Tides PH, and Lara Angelique Lacson of Eco Warrior PH.