The concept of “walkable” cities is among the features of a sustainable development program drawn up by government technocrats to make life better for Filipinos by 2040.
Walkable cities are those with well-designed sidewalks that would entice office workers to leave their cars at home, take public transport and walk to their offices, according to Diane Gail L. Maharjan, OIC and assistant secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority’s (Neda) sustainable consumption and production (SCP) program.
At the household level, turning off the faucet and the lights when not in use means saving P7 monthly and P12.50 monthly, respectively, Maharjan said.
Guesting at DWIZ’s Sulong Na Bayan hosted by veteran journalist Lolly Acosta, Maharjan said it all boils down to “good manners and right conduct. GMRC should be returned in the school curriculum.”
She said this is especially relevant today when “we are having a water crisis. As the population increases, there will be more demand for water…so we have to think about conserving our natural resources for the next generation.”
Maharjan said a study showed that 52 percent or more than half of biodegradable or rotting waste comes from households. Only 27 percent from households are recyclable.
If households learn to compost waste, that means reusing waste for fertilizing plants instead of throwing them away for garbage trucks to collect.
Sulong Na Bayan airs daily Monday to Friday over station DWIZ of Aliw Broadcasting Corp. (ABC).
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