MMDA Empowers Vitas Communities Through Waste Management Seminar

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), through the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP), continues to drive community-based solid waste management (SWM) initiatives by conducting its SWM seminar series.

This seminar aims to educate and empower communities about the environmental impact and benefits of proper solid waste management (SWM) practices, like waste segregation at source and storage, recovery and recycling, and disposal. This initiative targets to demonstrate to residents and empower barangays with the necessary knowledge on how proper waste management can be a source of economic gain, offering a real incentive for communities to adopt and sustain these practices.

During one of the recent regular Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) operations, an extensive workshop was conducted for over 50 participants coming from Barangay 154, showcasing the practical application of SWM principles. By integrating educational activities with the MMRF operations, the MMDA highlighted the immediate and tangible benefits of proper waste management. The seminar also introduced some new techniques to increase the value of recyclable materials.

MMDA leads the SWM seminar in Barangay 154, as community leaders and participants come together with earnings and learnings from recycled materials, showing how waste can be transformed into valuable resources.

Since July 17, 2024, 769 residents from 20 barangays in Vitas have already participated, reflecting the growing community interest and engagement in sustainable waste management practices.

"The Solid Waste Management seminar exemplifies our commitment to educating and empowering communities to see the value in waste. By providing practical knowledge and showcasing real-life success stories, we aim to inspire more people to participate in sustainable waste management practices. Together, we can create a cleaner, more prosperous Metro Manila," concluded MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

“Through initiatives like the Pera Sa Basura seminar, we are not only teaching waste management techniques but also showing communities how these practices can directly benefit their daily lives. From reducing household waste to earning through recycling, we are empowering residents to take charge of their environment and be part of a larger solution for a sustainable Metro Manila,” added MMDA SWMO Director Josias E. Syquimsiam, Jr.

Highlighting the Benefits and Community Impact

The SWM seminar focuses on showing residents that waste materials, when properly managed, can be exchanged into valuable commodities. Through the MMDA's Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF), participants learned about a "commodity exchange or barter system" where they can exchange recyclable materials for groceries and other goods. The point system employed by the MMRF ensures that residents receive fair compensation based on the market value of their recyclables, with an additional 25% added to encourage participation.

The seminar also equipped the participants with knowledge on proper handling of recyclables, including segregating and sorting the materials according to type, cleaning the recyclables, and drying them as well. Types of recyclables included plastics, glass bottles, papers, metals and electronic waste.

"Engaged Learning: Community members actively participate during the Pera Sa Basura seminar, interacting with the speaker as they discuss the benefits of recycling and proper waste management, aimed at fostering environmental responsibility and sustainable practices."

Engaging Activities and Hands-On Learning

To reinforce the practical aspects of waste management, the seminar featured interactive activities such as "Segre-game Time" and "Role-Trash Trivia."

Key activities throughout the day included:

● SWM Talks: Attendees learned about the financial incentives of SWM, including how to earn money by segregating and recycling waste. Experts shared their knowledge on starting businesses using recycled materials.

● Segre-game Time: An interactive game where participants shot blocks with images of solid wastes into the corresponding trash bins labeled by type. Successful players received special prizes, reinforcing the importance of proper waste segregation.

● Role-Trash Trivia: Participants spun a roulette and answered questions about waste management. Correct answers were rewarded with prizes, making the learning process fun and engaging.

These games were designed not only to educate but also to reward participants with prizes, further illustrating the immediate benefits of proper waste segregation. The hands-on experience of using the MMRF system allowed residents to directly apply what they learned, turning theory into practice.

Community Commitment and Future Plans

The seminar also served as a platform for community leaders to express their commitment to sustaining the MMRF operations. Barangay officials from the participating barangays continue to share their plans of educating residents about the economic and environmental benefits of proper waste management. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining these practices to ensure long-term sustainability and community well-being.

Mary Grace Capulong, Barangay Secretary from Barangay 154, Manila stated, “Our community has embraced the idea that waste is not just trash but a resource that can be converted into something valuable. The MMRF seminar has opened our eyes to the advantages that proper waste management can offer, and we are committed to maintaining these practices for the long-term benefit of our residents.”

The MMDA and MMFMP remain committed to continuing these efforts, with upcoming seminars scheduled for other barangays, which will further encourage residents to participate in the program, helping to build a more sustainable and prosperous Metro Manila.

Empowering Communities, Awarding Success: MMDA and Coca-Cola Recognize Metro Manila’s Top Barangays for Recycling Achievements

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) recently hosted the awarding ceremony for the "Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! Barangay Contest" at the MMDA Arena. The event marked the culmination of a four-month initiative that encouraged barangays to actively collect and recycle the most clear PET plastic bottles, Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles (RGBs) and crates, as part of a broader effort to promote environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.

The Tapon to Ipon initiative, which integrates CCBPI’s "Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!" program with the MMDA’s Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) project, has been instrumental in engaging communities in resource recovery and waste reduction. Twenty-one (21) barangays participated in the contest, which ran from April to July 31, 2024, with the top-performing barangays being recognized and rewarded for their efforts.

Each of the barangays exchanged clear PET bottles and Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles as well as small and big crates, with assigned equivalent points for Coca-Cola products.

Top Barangays and Impact on Community

The top barangays, which demonstrated exceptional commitment to the cause, were led by Barangay Pinagsama of Taguig City winning the top prize, Barangay Tejeros of Makati coming in at second place, and Barangay Bayanan of Muntinlupa City securing third place. Barangay Tatalon of Quezon City was honored as fourth place, and Barangay Batis of San Juan City claimed fifth place. Certificates of Participation were given to the remaining barangays who participated in the collaboration.

These barangays collectively contributed to the collection of over 10,000 kilograms of clear PET bottles, more than 480 pieces Coca-Cola crates, and over 16,000 pieces of Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles. The collected materials were then exchanged for Coca-Cola products, further incentivizing the residents to participate actively in the program. The goal is for all collected clear PET bottles to be brought to PETValue Philippines, the country’s pioneering bottle-to-bottle recycling facility, giving limitless lives by turning the bottles into new food-grade recycled PET (rPET) bottles.

The top three barangays were awarded significant funding to further support their sustainability initiatives, focused on waste recovery and recycling. These funds will be used for resources and materials to develop and implement programs that will continue to promote responsible waste management within their communities. The initiative not only highlights the importance of environmental stewardship but also empowers communities to take concrete steps towards sustainability.

Barangay Chairperson Hon. Maria Victoria Mortel-Balidoy of Brgy. Pinagsama, Taguig City, acknowledged the positive impact of the program on reducing waste in their waterways, saying, “While flooding remains a concern in our community, the Tapon to Ipon initiative has significantly reduced the accumulation of PET bottles and other recyclables in our waterways. Through this program, our residents have learned to see value in collecting these items for incentives, instead of disposing of them improperly. This has greatly lessened the amount of waste contributing to blockages. With continued efforts, we hope to further reduce flooding risks as we strengthen our waste management practices at the barangay level and spread awareness throughout the community. The key to lasting change is in creating a culture of recycling, and we are committed to making this a permanent part of our daily lives.”

Partnership for a Cleaner Future

“The Tapon to Ipon initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also empowers communities by showing them that small actions can lead to significant change. By participating in this program, barangays are not just contributing to a cleaner environment but also setting a positive example for other communities to follow. This is how we build a culture of sustainability, one bottle at a time,” said MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

MMDA Solid Waste Management Office Director Josias E. Syquimsiam Jr., emphasized the success of the initiative and how it paves the way for a more proactive community, saying "The Tapon to Ipon Barangay Contest has been a very successful initiative to promote collection of clear PET bottles and RGBs for recycling with the support of the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility of the MMDA. This Barangay Contest has shown us the power of community engagement in addressing the issue of plastic waste. By incentivizing recycling, we’ve been able to make a significant impact on waste reduction and foster a culture of environmental responsibility. We are confident that this is not the end of our initiative, but a start to an even cleaner Metro Manila."

Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, VP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of CCBPI added, "This partnership with the MMDA is truly significant, as we strive to help clear our waterways to prevent flooding, especially during typhoons. Our collaboration perfectly aligns with our commitment to foster cleaner communities and a better future for all, by making collection and recycling systems more accessible. Getting over 20 barangays together to join and participate is really a big deal for us and we are very happy with the outcome of the collective effort of all the barangays. We are proud partners of the MMDA, and we look forward to continuing this engagement as a long-term initiative."

Future Initiatives

The MMDA and CCBPI plan to build on the success of this initiative by expanding the Tapon to Ipon program to more barangays in Metro Manila. Future collaborations will include more sustainability-focused initiatives and community engagement activities aimed at reinforcing the importance of recycling and proper waste management.

The event closed with an awarding ceremony, photo opportunities, and a commitment from all stakeholders to continue working together to promote a cleaner and greener Metro Manila.

MMDA Hands Over Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) Operations to Brgy. Bayanan, Muntinlupa City

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has formally turned over the operations of the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) to Brgy. Bayanan, Muntinlupa City. This milestone is part of MMDA’s ongoing efforts to empower local communities in managing their waste more effectively, ensuring that the responsibility of solid waste management is both localized and sustainable.

The MMRF, an essential tool in the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Solid Waste Management Component 2, is designed to streamline waste segregation and recycling at the barangay level. During the turnover ceremony, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed, marking the formal transfer of responsibility from MMDA to the local government unit (LGU) and Brgy. Bayanan. This MOA highlights the barangay's commitment to uphold and operate the MMRF system, under the close monitoring and guidance of the LGU’s City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO).

“The involvement of the residents, barangay, and local government is crucial to our waste management initiatives,” said Dir. Josias Syquimsiam Jr., Project Director of the MMDA Solid Waste Management Office. “The MMRF provides a structure to waste segregation, allowing communities to turn waste into valuable resources. This represents a shared commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable Metro Manila.”

Brgy. Bayanan’s adoption of the MMRF system has already led to significant achievements. Over the past two years, the barangay has collected 18,746.6 kilograms of recyclables, which were exchanged for 78,473 goods, and generated 72,154 pesos from sales to junk shops. These figures translate directly into reduced waste in landfills, cleaner streets, and a more engaged community. The barangay faced challenges such as initial resistance to the new waste segregation policies, but through continuous education and community involvement, they have successfully increased resident participation and established valuable partnerships with local recycling businesses.

Punong Barangay Engr. Jonathan “Athan” Gutierrez expressed the community's commitment to sustaining the MMRF operations: “Our barangay is dedicated to maintaining the MMRF system and expanding our waste management efforts. With the support of our residents and the guidance of MMDA and CENRO, we can achieve even greater results in waste recovery and environmental protection.”

The turnover ceremony was attended by key officials from Brgy. Bayanan, the Muntinlupa City LGU, and MMDA. Community members also participated, demonstrating their ongoing support for the MMRF initiative. The event included the formal signing of the MOA, symbolizing the strong collaboration between MMDA and Brgy. Bayanan. This partnership is expected to serve as a model for other communities as MMDA continues to roll out the MMRF program in other areas of Metro Manila, including Lower Bicutan, Batis and Corazon de Jesus, Pio and 135, San Isidro, and Daang Bakal.

The MMDA remains committed to supporting Brgy. Bayanan as it takes full control of the MMRF operations. This ongoing collaboration will ensure that the barangay continues to benefit from technical assistance and monitoring, fostering a sustainable environment for its residents. Future turnovers in other Metro Manila areas will follow a similar approach, focusing on empowering communities to manage their waste effectively and contribute to the broader goal of waste diversion and recovery across the region.

LG Electronics Philippines joins Metro Manila Shake Drill

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LG Electronics Philippines (LGEPH) has provided mobile communications technology to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Digital team for use in the recently held Meto Manila Shake Drill. In photo during the turnover of the LG smartphones at the MMDA headquarters are LGEPH Corporate Marketing Head Ana Salapantan (second from right) and officers and members of the MMDA digital team.

With data powered by Globe SIM cards, the MMDA digital team utilized the LG smartphones to deliver real-time updates during the metro-wide Earthquake Drill.

Chevron stresses maintenance of Metro Weather Project automated weather stations during rainy season

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The near-real time weather information transmittal for the Metro Weather Project with the sustained maintenance of the Automated Weather Systems unit strategically areas including 18 Caltex Stations, is important for the public most especially during the rainy season.

This project is aimed at providing the public with weather information that may aid them with necessary preparation.

Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the high quality Caltex brand of fuels, including Havoline and Delo lubricants, assured that the 18 Metro Weather Project automated weather systems (AWS) under its supervision are properly functioning after the continuous and intensive maintenance procedures the company conducts to ensure the units are up to the task as the rainy season starts.

The Metro Weather project, implemented in 2013, is created from a successful collaboration between Chevron companies in the Philippines as an enterprise effort, the Manila Observatory (MO), and other organizations such as Globe Telecom, and MMDA.

The project provides near-real time weather information that is integrated to the MMDA Traffic mobile app and can also be accessed online through http://www.panahon.observatory.ph.

The data comes from the project’s 30 AWS units which collect and store weather data that show, among others, the rainfall intensity which can indicate flooding. These AWS units, placed in strategic areas including in 18 Caltex stations within Metro Manila, covers up to 12 million people.

“The public always needs to be informed about the weather especially during the rainy season, so that they can do the necessary preparations. So we are always making sure that the 18 Caltex-hosted AWS units are regularly calibrated, checked, and cleaned up so that weather data is correctly gathered and transmitted to the MO for analysis and interpretation,” said Raissa Bautista, manager of Policy, Government, and Public Affairs, CPI.

The Metro Weather project is very effective in creating environmental consciousness to the public. According to Antonia Loyzaga, MO executive director, “The data collected by the AWS assists in refining the identified flooding thresholds that the Metro Manila LGUs, MMDA, and DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau are monitoring. The data and analysis can be used as part of the evidence-based decision support system for evacuation planning, class cancellations, preparedness planning and zoning, and land-use planning.” Several caveats from project, with data coming from all 18 Caltex-hosted units, are recognized especially during the southwest monsoon months. In 2013, the project identified more than 50 flooded areas in Metro Manila due to monsoon rains intensified by Tropical Storm “Maring”. While in the wake of Tropical Storm “Mario” in September 2014, AWS satellite images indicated strong rainfall activity that caused flooding.

The Metro Weather project has recently been expanded outside Metro Manila. “Similar projects are being deployed in areas including Iloilo City and Iloilo province, Davao City and Davao Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City,” said Loyzaga.

Bautista added, “Chevron Philippines remains supportive and highly interested in this collaboration. Our continued commitment to public safety and environmental awareness keeps us motivated to support initiatives that address issues and educate the general public on the impact of severe weather changes.”

Engineers calibrate one of the 18 AWS units that Caltex stations host in various points across Metro Manila.  The near-real time weather information details may be accessed through the MMDA Traffic mobile app and http://www.panahon.observatory.ph.

SM conducts 'Shake Drill' dry run across all malls

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​SM Supermalls, the country's biggest mall network, shows its full support to the July 30 metro-wide earthquake preparedness drill dubbed as the "Metro Manila Shake Drill" by conducting its own simultaneous dry run earthquake and evacuation drill across all participating malls in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The dry run aimed to simulate the coordinated commencing of the drill, test devices and utilities that will be used to train and familiarize all mall personnel; and address concerns that may be encountered on the actual day of the drill.

Valuing the safety and welfare of all SM Supermalls customers and the communities where its malls operate, SM went on a full campaign to raise awareness for the upcoming Metro-wide Shake Drill. In-mall public announcements and mall collateral materials are strategically in place to ensure that the public is made aware and well-prepared for the drill.

An Emergency Response Group has already been activated to ensure the smooth implementation of the dry run across the malls. The importance of disaster preparedness is key across SM’s operations, from its management down to the employees and mall frontliners.

The Metro Manila Shake Drill, scheduled on July 30, is spearheaded by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in partnership with DOST-PHIVOLCS. It aims to prepare various agencies and the general public for a potential major earthquake scenario. 

The exercise will be held simultaneously from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM across Metro Manila. A separate night time drill will be conducted in the Ortigas Business District in Pasig City from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

For more details about SM Supermalls' Shake Drill participation, visit SM Supermalls' official website www.smsupermalls.com.