Iloilo City institutionalizes waste management in schools
Promoting sustainability and responsible citizenship, Mayor Jerry Treñas encourages learning institutions to collect trash in exchange for income following the successful signing of the activity proposal for “TRASHkolekta: Basura ta, Manggad naton” at Iloilo City Hall on March 24.
“It aims to facilitate the trading of discarded or recyclable materials collected in schools, contributing to waste reduction while providing a source of income,” said Maria Mathilde Treñas, Special Assistant to the City Mayor and proponent of the activity.
Its target beneficiaries include students, teaching and non-teaching school staff, and Federated PTA Officers. They may collect and trade the following discarded scrap/junk items: cans; plastics (PET, PP, LOPE, PVC, HOPE, PS); bottles; paper (both uncrumpled and crumpled); cartons; scraps and metals (light and solid); brass/copper; pewter; lead; and aluminum.
Acquired income from the trade will be recorded and monitored through the Earth Keeper’s Passbook.
This initiative will begin in two secondary schools, Jaro National High School and Jalandoni Memorial National High School, as well as 13 primary schools: Iloilo Central Elementary School, Judith Lazarraga Tiongco Memorial School, Jalandoni Memorial Elementary School, L. Mirasol, Baluarte, La Paz I, Montes I, Sambag, Mandurriao, Tabucan, Buntatala-Tagbak, Tacas, and Balantang Elementary Schools.
Mayor Treñas, along with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, who was present during the signing ceremony, are equally optimistic and supportive of the activity, which stands to strengthen camaraderie within the learning community and inspire environmental awareness and action.
Additional parties joining in the implementation of this green initiative include City Environment and Natural Resources Office head Janis Mae Sy; City General Services Office assistant head Atty. Edsel Muyuela; Department of Education-Division of Iloilo City schools division superintendent Ma. Luz De Los Reyes, CESO V; Earth Keepers’ Club/City Federated Teacher-Parents Association president Antonio Jacoba; and Maria Mathilde Treñas, Special Assistant to the City Mayor. (Pearl Socias/Iloilo City PIO)