QC residents may use 'Trash to Cashback' points to pay utility bills
Quezon City residents can pay utility bills using their collected points from the city's "Trash to Cashback" program, the local government announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the "environmental points" can be redeemed starting Dec. 22 as Bayad App credits for the payments.
The Trash to Cashback is the city's program which allows the citizens to trade recyclable materials (single-used plastics, metal, paper, boxes) for points and exchange them for basic commodities.
Earlier, Belmonte signed an agreement with BeepXtra Philippines and Corporate Information Solutions (CIS) Bayad Center Inc. to enable the payments and expand the program.
According to the local government, a 90-day pilot run will be held in the Bayad Center branches in Ever Commonwealth, Barangay Sauyo and Gulod.
Those who want to utilize the program are required to create a Bayad App account where they can redeem a minimum of 200 environmental points for the bills payment.
Residents can collect points by bringing their recyclables to designated "My Basurero Eco-Community (MBE-C)" kiosks in different parts of the city.
Additional kiosks will be placed at Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) Business Centers in Kamuning, Commonwealth, and Novaliches.
"Aside from getting points or credits for bills payment, we are also able to promote the importance of recycling and proper waste segregation," Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) head Andrea Villaroman reminded that the recyclables should be clean and dry before trading, and labels in bottles should be removed.
The local government said that citizens can reach out to the CCESD and visit the link below for trade inquiries:
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