Mayor Estelita M. Aquino and Joseph H. Batac

In: UA Magazine 9 - Financing Urban Agriculture

The last 20 years have seen the population of Marilao increase at an average rate of 9.4% per year (4.5 times the national average). The five year local plan document of 1996 emphasised productivity improvement combined with access to financing. To counteract the rapid conversion of good land to human settlements, industry, services, commerce and trade, and the resulting degraded soil, and deterioration in surface water quality and smog, the municipality started to invest into the collection of biodegradable waste, and in the processing and use of the compost for agricultural production. Subsequently compost-based, home-grown potted vegetable production was facilitated and supported.