CITY OF MATI – The City Government of Mati has launched a new program dedicated to environment protection amid the continuous urban development and progress in the city throughout the years.
The program called Solid Waste Integrated Management (SWIM) was launched during the opening ceremony of the city’s Founding Anniversary held yesterday, June 15, at the Mati Park and Baywalk.
Mayor Carlo P. Rabat, who officially opened the city’s celebration and led the launching of the program, said SWIM is the local government’s initiative implemented under the Conserve, Protect, Respect advocacy of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, which calls for a comprehensive waste prevention, recycling, composting, and disposal program to protect human health and the environment.
The stakeholders behind the project which include the city’s top officials, hotels and resorts owners, Fisherfolk People’s Organization, Commercial Fish Operators, Fish Cage Operators, Bantay Dagat Fish Warden, Punong Barangays of the coastal villages, and representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, have affixed their signatures in the commitment wall of the SWIM project signifying their full support and cooperation.
Mayor Rabat urged the citizens of Mati to be a “SWIM partner” as he considers tourism, trade and commerce to be immensely dependent on a clean environment. “It is but fitting that this initiative should be given full support as it aspires to uplift the mindset and spirit of convergence of all coastal communities to prevent the destruction of our seas, beaches and rich marine life.”
With the mayor’s rallying call for a united community gearing toward progress, he has encouraged everyone to “do more to achieve success as one vibrant forward looking community of Matinians”.
Amid the call for environment protection, the City Government has also showcased the potentials and achievements of the city through an Agri-tourism Trade Fair participated in by all its 26 villages. Featuring ‘signature’ products of Mati, each village displayed various products in the exhibit which will run until June 19.
Rabat said that his administration will continue to lay out programs that will usher economic development within the city. “We shall continue to pursue our viable projects and programs to attract more investors to invest here especially on ecotourism and agri-industry with fair return on their investments plus strong local government support not only from the City but also from the Province of Davao Oriental headed by our energetic and well-known Governor Nelson Dayanghirang,” he said.
The Province of Davao Oriental has also joined in the celebration of the Founding Anniversary of its capital City of Mati.
During the celebration’s opening ceremony, Governor Dayanghirang, on a speech delivered for him by Provincial Administrator Art Benjie Bulaong, told Matinians to “pay tribute to the generations of peace-loving people who have greatly contributed towards making Mati a peaceful and progressive place today.”
He urged people to “join hands in the pursuit of one dream of making Mati a prosperous city and a new tourism destination in the country”.
Series of activities have been lined up for the week-long celebration of the Araw ng Mati such as the Coronation Night of the Mutya ng Mati on Sunday June 18. By Riza M. Golez
