Basura Mo, Pagkaon Ko project reduces plastic wastes

By: Louangel Jei D. Benjamin

MIAGAO, Iloilo–Basura Mo, Pagkaon Ko (BMPK) Project reduced plastic wastes generated in this town by exchanging low density plastics (LDP) with food packs.

To motivate Miagaowanons more in contributing to the waste segregation campaign, Mayor Macario Napulan thought of incentivizing the collection of LDP.

“Isa sa ginapaligban kay tungod naga amu na na nga pangampanya sang Waste Segregation, indi gid ma-segregate sang mayo ang mga basura nila sa pamalay,” Mayor Napulan said.

For every five kilograms of LDP that the citizens give, they are provided food packs that include a kilo of rice, two cans of sardines, and a bar of laundry soap.

Low Density Plastics are lightweight plastics such as sando bags, shampoo, and coffee sachets which are common in households.

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) Staff Jeyson Toledo said the move reduced plastic wastes from 5 tons 3 tons in the past months.

The LDP are collected every Saturday starting in Barangay Narat-an to Calampitao from 7 am to 5 pm by MENRO staff.

One of the supporters of this project since its inception is Hernan Gabinete, a Kirayan Norte resident.

“Nami kay mabayluhan ang plastic kang pagkaon kag malimpyuhan man ang palibot.Makabulig gid ang bugas, habon kag sardinas,” Gabinete said.

The collected LDP are stored in the residual containment area at the materials recovery facility (MRF) located in Barangay Baybay Norte.

It takes approximately two months to reach the one-ton quota of collected LDP from the community.

Once they reach the quota, the MENRO will deliver the wastes to San Miguel, Iloilo to be melted in a facility funded by the Villar Foundation. The melted plastic is then remolded into armchairs.

The Miagao local government unit (LGU) has gathered enough plastics for 150 armchairs since it was first implemented in 2018.

The beneficiaries of these armchairs are Miagao Central Elementary School (MCES), Guibongan Integrated School (GIS) and Olango Integrated School(OIS).

“The chairs are used by Grade 3 students from last year until this year,” Miagao Central Elementary School Principal Jacinta M. Nonato said.

The ongoing BMPK Project is expected to receive another 50 armchairs which will be given to La Consolacion Integrated School.