QC-Chiba: Sister cities renew ties

Even as Quezon City continues to wind down the operation of Payatas as an open dumpsite, its sister city in Japan has began promoting appropriate garbage disposal measures and realization and of a society that recycles.

At a recent celebration commemorating the 30th anniversary of Quezon-Chiba Sister City Relations held in Chiba City in Japan, Chiba City Mayor Matsui Asahi announced programs and actions being undertaken for the smooth facilitation of improvements in sanitary administration that contribute to community health and culture and the sound improvement of Chiba.

The sister-city celebration, which was also intended to promote local government technical and cultural exchange and cooperation, was attended by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Assistant Secretary to the Mayor lawyer Victoria Loanzon and five other City Hall officials.

Former mayors Norberto Amoranto and Kazushigi Araki, of Quezon City and Chiba, respectively, stood as the key figures in the signing of a memorandum of agreement that established the sister-city affiliation 30 years ago.

Chiba also receives employees from Quezon City Hall for training, which is sponsored by private companies like Tokyo Gas and Kawasaki Steel.

Asahi said Chiba City is facing the 21st Century with twin objectives – "Qualitative Improvement in Citizen’s Lifestyles" and "Appropriate City Planning for a Large Metropolis."

He noted that a key element is the newly-constructed Chiba City incineration plant which was completed with considerable assistance from the local community and related parties.

In careful consideration of the surrounding environment, major equipment installed indoors and the grounds were combined with greenery in order to further harmonize them with nature.

He noted that most recent technologies have also been introduced as countermeasures against exhaust gases and fumes.

Chiba City made a complete energy-saving complex with the use of a maximum of 8,000 kilowatts of energy created from incinerated garbage with electricity generation equipment.

On the other hand, Quezon City has taken an initiative to institute improvements in Payatas for operational efficiency, safety and sanitary concerns.

At present, the city government is coordinating with the Philippine National Oil Co. for the extraction of methane gas at the site.

If the volume of methane is found to be commercially viable, it will be developed into an energy source. If not, systems will be developed to still extract the methane gas to prevent buildup at the site.

Garbage in Chiba City is classified into five types for the purpose of environmental conservation and recycling of natural resources, namely: recyclable; harmful; non-combustible; combustible; and bulky waste.

Pamphlets on proper ways of garbage disposal is distributed to citizens and foreign residents to understand and practice proper garbage disposal and cooperate with recycling of natural resources.

Chiba officials are optimistic that their garbage collection system will encourage sister cities to adopt the same because of the increasing garbage volume.