The local government of Malabon City through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) announced on Friday, April 27, that they collected a total of 177.2 kilograms of plastic bottles during the “Sa Plastic na Basura, May Kita ka” activity.
The event was part of the “Walang Tulugan, Serbisyo Caravan,” held at Robinsons Town Mall last Friday, April 19.
In her speech, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval emphasized that the activity gives the residents the opportunity to earn while simultaneously contributing to the cleanliness and orderliness of the environment.
“Isang magandang programa itong ating plastic bottle collection activity dahil binigyan nito ng oportunidad ang ating mga mahal na Malabueños para kumita para sa kanilang mga gastusin habang tumutulong sa pagpapanatili sa kaayusan at kalinisan ng ating kapaligiran (This plastic bottle collection activity is a wonderful program because it provides our beloved Malabueños the opportunity to earn for their expenses while helping maintain cleanliness and orderliness in our environment)," she said.
City’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) head Mark Llyd Mesina said the activity was initiated to address the issue of plastic pollution that affects the environment.
"So ang isang naiisip natin, tutal alam natin ngayon na may problema tayo sa plastics, magkaroon tayo ng parang waste market day for PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, 'yung nilalagyan ng mga iniinom nating tubig (One idea that comes to mind, since we're now aware of our plastic problem, is to have a kind of waste market day for PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, the ones used for the drinks we consume)," He said.
He added that they collaborated with their recycling partner who purchased the plastic bottles collected during the activity.
According to the city’s public information office, the CENRO has collected an estimated 129 kilograms of clear PET bottles, 12 kilograms of PET bottle caps and rings from the residents.
Additionally, the collected plastic bottles will be recycled to create other products, which will help in preventing floods, maintaining cleanliness in the city, and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The local government unit (LGU) is planning to hold the plastic collection activity every month, PIO said.