Valenzuela launches search for greenest barangay

The Valenzuela City government has launched its first search ever for the city’s "Cleanest and Greenest Barangay."

"The search is envisioned to help transform all barangays of the city into clean and green, healthy and safe communities to live in. It is, at the same time, also aimed at making every resident of Valenzuela a disciplined citizen, steeped in the traditional values of self-reliance, resourcefulness, industry and a sense of community, among others," Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said.

The search, organizers said, will be marked by several activities, including advocacy drives in the city’s 32 barangays even as assessment by the City Awards Committee begins in October until December this year.

Final selection will be underway from Jan. 1 to 15, 2006. If necessary, an on-site validation of finalists will be made from Jan. 16 to 30.

The awarding rites will be held as a culminating activity of the 8th founding anniversary of Valenzuela’s cityhood on Feb. 14, 2006.

The criteria set is patterned after that of the "Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran." Cash rewards and trophies will be given to the deserving winners, the mayor said.

The search, he added, should motivate the local communities to actively participate in the city government’s effort to make Valenzuela clean and green. He also clarified that this is a project of the people of Valenzuela.

"Hindi ito project ko lamang. Atin itong lahat. Naniniwala ako na kung tayo’y magtutulungan, kayang-kaya nating magkaroon ng malinis, luntian at maunlad na bayan kagaya ng nagawa ng iba," said Gatchalian, who does not hide his admiration for Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando and sets the city of Marikina as one of his models for a resurgent Valenzuela.

The campaign, he said, will focus on general cleanliness and urban space greening, support systems for programs and projects on clean and green waste management, and the people’s participation in environmental protection. — Jerry Botial