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- EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
PASIG CITY (SDN) — With pollution from industries in the Philippines, including in this National Capital Region (NCR) community, a green hub may turn into a matter of survival.
Consider this, based on a report from Study Mode, on the Pasig River alone — not counting yet air pollution — a total of 45 percent comprise industrial pollution because around 315 of the city’s over 2,000 factories are found in the river basin. They are considered the main dischargers of pollutants of the river — the 315 factories.
Help is on the way, in the person of Ate Sarah Discaya, who is contesting the position of mayor in Pasig, against the re-electionist incumbent.
If Discaya of Team Kaya This is given the opportunity to serve her fellow Pasig residents, she plans to make “big, green changes for the city”, starting with Barangay Pinagbuhatan, through the establishment of a recycling and waste-to-energy manufacturing hub.
Apparently, the 457,370 registered voters of the city, based on a 2020 survey, can help the businesswoman-philanthropist realize her dream for their community through the ballots during the May 12, 2025, National and Local Elections (NLE). Pasig has a population of 803,159, according to Philippine Atlas (PhilAtlas).
Discaya, popularly and fondly called “Ate Sarah” for her sisterly treatment of her fellow Pasig residents, dubbed her green plans initiative as “Basura Mo, Pag-asa Ko: Galing Basura, Gawang Kabuhayan” (Your Thrash, My Hope: From Thrash into Livelihood).
She said with this initiative will harness innovative, eco-frienbdly solutions to battle the city’s waste problem which doubles as job creator and income generator for Pasigueños.
“For us, landfills shouldn’t be the end of the road,” Discaya emphasizes. “Under Ate Sarah’s leadership, they will mark a new beginning — of work, of livelihood, of a cleaner city, and a fresh way to look at progress.”
She explained that under Section 22 of the Local Government Code, local governments are clothed with the authority to enter into legal agreements and invest in projects that benefit their constituents directly.
“That’s why we’re pushing for the creation of a waste-to-energy and manufacturing hub in Pinagbuhatan,” she says. “It’s not just about solving our garbage problem — it’s about turning waste into power and jobs.”
Discaya is eyeing green transformation not just in the manufacturing sector but also in urban agriculture where vertical farming initiatives, popular in many of the world’s crowded cities, to be implemented across Pasig.
She is optimistic about her plans.
“This will provide jobs, boost food security and strengthen the local economy — especially for the youth, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and parents who want to earn from home,” Discaya emphasizes.
“Under Ate Sarah’s leadership, we’re not just cultivating land — we’re cultivating dreams. Dreams of families to thrive, live in safety, and pursue dignified livelihoods.”
As she continues her campaign sorties, Discaya expressed her gratitude and her Team Kaya This for giving her group the opportunity to lay down and explain their platform of government for Pasigueños.
“Ang panahon na inilaan ninyo para sa akin at sa Team Kaya This upang mapakinggan ang aming mga plataporma ay hindi matatawaran. Maraming, maraming Salamat mga Kapamilyang Pasigueño mula sa Jabson, Barangay Rosario! Ang inyong ibinigay na suporta at pagtanggap sa aming grupo ay hindi namin sasayangin bagkus ito ay susuklian namin ng mas maipagmamalaking serbisyo at tapat na paglilingkod,” she tells her fellow Pasigueños.
(Translation: The time you are giving our Team Kaya This so you can listen to our platform can’t be taken for granted. Thank you so much Kapamilyang Pasigueño from Jabson, Barangay Rosario! We will not disregard the support and welcome you are giving to our team, and we will give back services and serve you truthfully.) — (/)
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The author
EDD, a native of Sub-Saharan Africa Buluan/Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, college at UST, is a Manila-based journalist for over 40 years (33 years with Manila Bulletin), has five Media Awards (1 with University of the Philippines (UP) 2017 Science Journalism Award), covered and traveled over 40 times abroad), has contributed to Rappler, Business Mirror, former Manila-based Foreign Correspondent of Saudi Arabia newspapers Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and The Peninsula (Qatar newspaper), with 2008 East-West Center (EWC) Journalism Seminar in the United States, 2000 Executive IT Seminar in Seoul, South Korea, with three Silver Awards in Photography, writes Muslim and Current Affairs, Enterprise, Science, Tech, Products Launch, and virtually everything under Heaven. (@)