MANILA, Philippines?In Marikina, even schoolchildren are actively participating in the city?s recycling and waste segregation program.

As part of the city?s recycling program, schoolchildren are given incentives to bring their recyclable household wastes like newspapers, soft drink bottles and cans to school.

In a press statement, Mayor Del De Guzman said that recyclable materials brought will earn points corresponding to its weight for the participating students which they can then exchange for food and school supplies from the city.

He said the program veered away from giving out monetary incentives so they can ensure that the recyclables revert back to the students? educational needs.

Dubbed as the Eco-Savers Program, it was launched in 2004 in partnership with the City Schools Division to involve both public elementary and high school students.

De Guzman said he wanted to continue the program since it ?imparts good practices to students while they are young.?

?If we know how to properly manage our garbage at home or in schools, it will lessen the occurrence of flooding due to clogged drainages and waterways,? he said.

Marikina currently has the highest rate of recycling among Metro Manila cities at 55 percent.

Last week, however, the new mayor expressed concern about the amount of trash thrown into the city?s waterways. Creeks and waterways in Marikina city are currently undergoing clean-up and dredging to prevent a repeat of the severe flooding last year.

The daily garbage haul from the Marikina River alone can fill up to 50 dump trucks, the statement said.