More than 1.6 million trees have been planted and 537 community gardens have been built by the provincial government of Rizal through its Ynares Eco-System (YES) to Green program.

Photos from Gov. Nina Ynares

Rizal Governor Nina Ynares stated on Thursday, September 26, during the celebration of the program's 11th anniversary, that the 537 community gardens have been built in all 188 barangays in the province.

The community gardens were established on vacant lots, private properties, and school grounds.

Ynares said the community gardens have allowed them to harvest 78 tons of vegetables, fruits, and other goods so far, which have been distributed to residents.

The governor also said that under the YES program, a total of 7,140 clean-up drives have been conducted in various areas, streets, and waterways throughout Rizal.

She added that 332 waterways have been cleaned and are continuously maintained and monitored via “Oplan Busilak (Buhayin Sapa, Ilog, Lawa, at Karagatan).”

In addition, the rehabilitation of Hinulugang Taktak Falls, one of the popular tourist attractions in Rizal, has also been initiated under the program.

The province also actively lives out the principles of recycling by promoting various projects aimed at advancing waste segregation and recycling.

“Reduce, reuse, recycle. Dito sa ating lalawigan, higit pa ito sa isang slogan—bahagi na ito ng ating communities na pinagpapatuloy isagawa, isabuhay, at isapuso bilang pagpapahalaga sa ating kapaligiran. Mahigit isang dekada na, at tuloy pa rin ang efforts at commitment natin for the past 11 years. (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Here in our province, this is more than just a slogan. It's an integral part of our communities that we continue to practice, embody, and cherish as a commitment to our environment. For over a decade, our efforts and commitment have remained strong, and we will continue this journey for the next 11 years and beyond),” Ynares said.

The province has established 153 active Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to promote waste segregation and recycling.

It has also distributed thousands of cleaning and greening equipment, including 694 YES Eco Trikes and 21 garbage trucks to various barangays and municipalities.

Ynares added that they annually hold the “YES Recycled Christmas Tree Contest” throughout the province every Christmas to promote sustainability and creativity among Rizalenyos using recyclable materials.

“Ilan lamang ito sa ating sama-samang na-achieve sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan through our YES Program at ating ipagpapatuloy pa dahil ang kalinisan ay simbolo ng isang maunlad at nagkakaisang mamamayan (These are just a few of our collective achievements in maintaining cleanliness through our YES Program, and we will continue our efforts because cleanliness is a symbol of a prosperous and united community),” she said.

“Sa loob man ng tahanan o kasama ang buong komunidad, ituloy natin ang disiplina at pagtutulungan para sa kalikasan. Happy YES Anniversary, Rizal! (Whether at home or within the whole community, let’s continue our discipline and collaboration for the environment. Happy YES Anniversary, Rizal!),” she added.

The YES to Green Program was launched on September 26, 2013, and aims to heighten people’s consciousness of sound environmental policies and practices to improve capacity and capabilities in addressing environmental issues, especially climate change.

The program includes forest conservation and the appropriate and proper practices of waste gathering, segregation, transport, storage, treatment, recycling, and disposal of solid waste through the best environmental practices.