Caring for the Environment by LGUs in Zambales in cooperation with stakeholders

Local Government Units (LGUs) play a significant role in promoting environmental

sustainability and taking responsibility for their communities. They have a duty to fulfill their
obligations while also protecting the well-being of both present and future generations. The
accountability of LGUs towards the environment encompasses responsibilities that focus on the
conservation, protection and sustainable management of resources and ecosystems as a whole.

In the Province of Zambales, the local government units (LGUs) have initiated projects and
programs aimed at protecting the environment. One of which is the “Plastik Mo, Bigas Ko”
Program supported by the Municipal Ordinance of Castillejos, Zambales. The main goal of this
program is to motivate the residents to gather plastic wastes, which they can then trade in for a
kilogram of rice. This will not only benefit the community but most importantly, the environment.
With the help of the citizens and other stakeholders’ participation, the LGUS ensures the
fulfillment of their environmental responsibilities.

In addition, one of the initiatives of the LGUs in the environmental accountability is the
adoption of the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP). FLUP is a comprehensive plan developed
through the collaboration of different stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of forests
and forestlands providing environmental, social and economic benefits to the community. In
Zambales, municipalities such as Castillejos, San Marcelino and San Felipe have already adopted
their FLUP through Sangguniang Bayan resolutions. In that manner, the LGUs accountability is to
monitor the implementation of the plan for the effective management and optimum use of the
resources.