‘Trash to cash’ aims to help residents earn and save the environment

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By John Noel E. Herrera

Iloilo City residents on Friday, Aug 19, 2022 welcomed the city government’s program on waste management, saying that it will aid efforts to save the environment and help them earn.

The Iloilo City General Services Office (GSO) and City Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) launched the “Trash to Cash” project at Sunburst Park as part of the city’s upcoming Charter Day celebration and environmental initiatives to keep the metropolis clean and promote waste management efforts.

The activity was participated by 13 pilot barangays which include Bakhaw in Mandurriao district; Tanza Esperanza in City Proper; Benedicto and Buntatala in Jaro district; Boulevard, Compania Central, East Baluarte, North Baluarte and West Habog-Habog in Molo district, and Calaparan and Sto. Niño in Arevalo district.

These respective barangays have been provided with mobile Material Recovery Facility (MRF) trikes for transport of collected trash which were converted into cash.

GSO Assistant Department Head Engr. Niel Ravena said that the participating villages were those geographically located near the bodies of water in the city.

“These barangays were prioritized to have rigid solid waste management system as Mayor Jerry Treñas said that solid waste must not reach bodies of water, particularly the Iloilo River and Batiano River,” Ravena said.

GSO Head Joren F. Sartorio also encouraged everyone to participate so that the project would lead to a successful waste management.

“With activities like this, we can promote livelihood, so those people involved in waste management, they can make a business out of it,” he added.

The project also took pride in Ilonggo craftsmanship as discarded materials were recycled into accessories and other crafts that have been recognized by countries such as Japan and London

“Dako gid nga bulig ini kay ma lessen ang inog-haboy sa aton dumpsite kay gataas na gid ang volume sang basura. Mas nami gid sa aton palibot kag makakwarta kami,” Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao MRF Manager Joyce Villar said.

(This is really a big help for us because it lessens the load of garbage to be disposed of on the dumpsite as the volume of garbage there is already mounting. This will make our environment better and we can also earn from this.)

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas also hopes to see the program continuously implemented as the city is recognized among the cleanest places to live in due to concerted efforts of the community.

The project is supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation, European Union and Central Philippine University.