In a bid to boost its environment protection and preservation efforts particularly on reducing plastic waste, the City Government of Bago has pioneered the implementation of a community-based waste-to-cash program in Negros Occidental.
Dubbed “Aling Tindera Plastic Waste to Cash,” the program is in partnership with impact organization Friends of Hope Inc. (FHI) and Germany-based development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
According to a press release, the program aims to provide an avenue where people can monetize plastic waste, to encourage discipline in the treatment of post-consumer plastics, reduce leakage into the environment, and educate future generations on the benefits of co-processing, recycling and other high-level waste management processes.
Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, along with other local officials and representatives of partner-organizations, led the launching of the project at Barangays Ma-ao and Poblacion on June 18.
Two “Aling Tindera” waste collection stations are specifically located near the city’s sanitary landfill at Sitio Pandan in Barangay Ma-ao, and beside the fish port at the Bantayan Park in Barangay Poblacion.
Aling Tindera Program Coordinator Mia Rosabel Grace Azurin said the plastic pollution crisis is primarily driven by the use of single-use plastics like sachets and the Philippines is one of the worst offenders on marine pollution.
Azurin said the collection program aims to help the community manage their own plastic waste at home, at the same time give additional income to the designated “Aling Tinderas” who will manage the waste collection stations as well as to their respective community members.
The “Aling Tindera” stations will buy plastic sachets, packaging materials and containers, among other plastic waste from the residents at P2 per kilo, she said, adding that the partner-organizations will then buy it from the stations at P2.50 per kilo.
“It’s a big milestone today as the vision of Bago City comes alive and we are happy to be part of it,” GIZ – 3RproMAR Project Manager Dr. Johannes Paul said.
Vice Mayor Torres, for his part, stressed the importance of working hand in hand in the protection and conservation of environment through one, supporting such a program like the “Aling Tindera” that will help address plastic pollution.
City Environment Management Office (CEMO) Head Vicente Mesias said they are eyeing to open more “Aling Tindera” stations in the city, adding that the project will surely have positive social and environmental impacts to the community.
“Makabulig gid ini sa akon kag sa mga taga amon, extra income pa ni para sa amon. Makabulig pa gid kami pahagan-hagan lapta sang basura sa amon palibot (It can really help me and my neighbors, it’s an added income for us. We can also help lessen the spread of waste in our surroundings),” Rinalyn Alforque, one of the “Aling Tinderas” in the city, said.
On the same day, the city government also inaugurated its Sanitary Landfill Expansion Site also located in Barangay Ma-ao.
The P50 million expansion project includes a new material recovery facility, a new water treatment facility, a septic vault for hazardous waste, compost pits, storm drains, and an administrative building.
Mesias said the four-hectare expansion site, in addition to the existing eight-hectare facility, is expected to cater more waste generated in the city.
“But with the Aling Tindera program, we are looking at reducing our waste generation and lessen the volume of garbage being disposed of at the sanitary landfill,” he added.
The launching of the “Aling Tindera Plastic Waste to Cash” program as well as the blessing and inauguration of the Sanitary Landfill Expansion Site are part of the city’s Environment Month celebration.
This year’s theme is “Our Land. Our Future. #GenerationRestoration.”
Also present during the activity were Councilors Ma. Josefa Matti, Jake Patrick Torres Ma. Femmy Alvarez – Martir and Carlos Mondia, ABC President Jovito Gahaton, Executive Assistant Jom Somcio and former councilor Jorge Araneta.
It was also attended by the officials of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Environment Management Unit, Provincial Environment and Management Office, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office and Barangay Councils of Ma-ao and Poblacion, representatives from the University of Saint La Salle – Bacolod and La Consolacion College – Bacolod, and other stakeholders, among other guests.*
