“Trash-for-cash” seen  to solve garbage woes

CEBU, Philippines —  Problems on waste segregation and improper disposal of garbage at the household level may be addressed soon with the Cebu City government’s partnership with two non-government organizations to set up a “trash-for-cash” project.

Friends of Hope and Green Cycle offered to set up several sites that will serve as aggregation hub where members of the community may sell post-consumer plastic by kilogram.

Friends of Hope managing director Ylusian Farias said they have already met with Mayor Mike Rama and discussed the project. Farias said they wanted to partner with the city government as they know that waste segregation is one of the problems the city has been saddled with for a long period of time now.

“We wanted to partner with the city on this because we know that waste segregation is one of your concerns and we wanted to help you and the community as well through our program,” Farias said.

Indiscriminate throwing of garbage has been identified as one of the factors contributing to the city’s flooding problem because of clogged pipes, canals and other waterways.

The two NGOs just need the city government to find areas where they can set up the "Aling Tindera" sites.

“With this, bystanders or the community, in general, will become empowered not only to depollute the environment but make extra income as well,” Farias said.

Friends of Hope initially planned to set up at least 50 Aling Tindera sites around the city but Rama challenged them to have at least 300 sites instead.

“I love the concept and I fully support this, but I want 300 because I want it to be aggressive and massive so we can address the garbage issue,” said Rama.

Farias said they can manage the number of sites as long as the city can provide areas for the program.

The mayor has assigned his staff Reymarr Hijarra and Atty. Jade Ponce to identify the probable sites for Aling Tindera. Hijarra serves as the mayor’s point person on environmental concerns while Ponce is head of the land management office.

With the mayor’s positive response to their proposal, Farias hopes to help address the city’s garbage problem while empowering the Cebuanos as well.

“We can’t wait to kick off this program, and we will keep in touch with the city for other concerns,” Farias said.- FPL (FREEMAN)