San Carlos City Finalist on WWF Challenge

San Carlos City has been declared as one of the finalists of World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2018.

A biennial global challenge launched in 2011, the OPCC honors cities for their crucial role in developing infrastructure, housing, transport, and mobility solutions that influence the shift to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.

“As it is a challenge, it is also a great opportunity for cities to capitalize on sustainable solutions like renewable energy and positive synergies to meet the demands of highly urbanized lifestyles without exhausting our planet’s ecological capacity,” the WWF said in a media release.

Engr. Arthur Batomalaque, Environmental Specialist II and Head of Integrated Waste Management/Pollution Control Division of the City Environment Management Office (CEMO) noted that San Carlos City will have the chance to live it up to the challenge because of the city’s program on centralized wastewater treatment in Sipaway island.

According to Batomalaque, a budget worth PhP2.5-million has been allocated for the implementation of the first phase of the project which will commence this year.

Batomalaque also imparted that the city government has plans of utilizing e-trikes in Sipaway and improving its existing solar lamps.

San Carlos City along with the cities of Makati and Pasig represented the Philippines in the competition, in which the latter emerged as the winner out of the three cities representing the country.

Pasig City’s feat was credited to its Pasig River cleaning program and transport initiatives that help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

It can be recalled that San Carlos City has represented the Philippines in the OPCC two years ago along with Makati City and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. (LTP/LML-PIA6 Negros Occidental)