In commemoration of the “40th Anniversary of Earth Day” on April 22, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) has its Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) in full-swing.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy.

Led by Postmaster General and CEO Hector Villanueva and Assistant Postmaster General for Administration Louie Carlos, the Philpost SWMP was launched last February 26 with the motto “To Keep Philpost Clean and Green” at the compound of the Main Post Office Building, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila. The program, which supports R.A. 9003 otherwise known as Solid Waste Management Program Act of 2000, will help provide Philpost employees on the awareness of proper segregation and collection of biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes.

An ECO hour is being held every Friday afternoon for Philpost employees to help maintain a clean and green atmosphere in the Philpost community. In coordination with the Bureau of Plants and Industry (BPI), the SWMP ECO officers conducted tree-planting activities last March 5 inside the Philpost compound. Planted were vegetable seeds and fruit-bearing trees.

With Earth Day 2010 in mind, Philpost officials are now coordinating with local officials of the City of Manila for possible inclusion of McArthur Park area across McArthur Bridge as part of the SWMP.

Philpost is fully aware that forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.