WWF-Philippines

Davao LGUs, Donsol renew commitment to fight plastic pollution under WWF Philippines’ Plastic Smart Cities

Officials from three local government units in the Davao region have signed with WWF Philippines anew, committing to continue the Plastic Smart Cities initiative

Four local government units (LGUs) in the Davao Region and the town of Donsol in Sorsogon province renewed their commitment to stop plastic pollution by 2030 by signing again with WWF Philippines’ Plastic Smart Cities program.

Davao City, the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), San Isidro town and Donsol signed a declaration of intent committing to continue their ongoing pilot solutions to stop plastic pollution.

The last three-year agreement between WWF Philippines and the LGUs was signed back in 2019.

Government representatives from Davao City, IGACOS and San Isidro attended the Plastic Smart Cities culminating event at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City on Friday, 19 August 2022.

“I am more willing to continue to pursue and implement best practices to support the transition to a circular economy where our packaging and waste leaves no impact on our planet,” said San Isidro Mayor Maria Angelica Go in a short speech at the event.

First District Councilor Tek Ocampo represented Davao City as a witness to the signing. Mayor Sebastian Duterte had earlier signed his copy of the document but could not attend the event. IGACOS City Administrator Matthew Arig also attended in place of Mayor Al David Uy.

Women-led social enterprises decorated the venue with booths featuring the equipment they received from PSC and their products made up of upcycled plastic waste

Davao and IGACOS-based social enterprises led by women also participated in the event and set up booths that showcase their products (slippers, bags, accessories, etc.) as well as the plastic shredders and extruder machines that PSC donated to them.

These groups include: Hugpong Manggagama sa Isla (HUGMAI), San Isidro Municipal Women's Association (SIMWA), Women’s Bright and Kalambuan, who have also been community partners in the implementation of the program. In support of its objective of creating solutions to the plastic pollution crisis, PSC also provides training and equipment to social enterprises that sell products made of upcycled plastic.

In Donsol, Mayor Teodoro De Guzman attended a separate signing at the Amor Farm Beach Resort on Tuesday, Aug. 30. He personally signed the declaration of intent. The town’s goal is to reduce plastic pollution throughout the municipality by 30% by 2025.

“We should try to make these (projects) sustainable and be a model, most especially for the pilot sites….to be replicated by other barangays, when the time comes [that we will be] without the support of WWF,” said De Guzman during the event.

The Donsol signing was also decorated with an exhibit featuring products of its beneficiary social enterprises: Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), Mabini Women’s Group Recycler Organization, Brigada Ekolohiya and NAKAMOTO.

The Plastic Smart Cities project has been supported by many institutions including the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI). This partnership is aimed at identifying appropriate solid waste management models to the varying Philippine landscapes.

“It is our goal to empower communities to achieve a world without waste through effective waste management systems, diversion of wastes, and increase in recycling and segregation initiatives,” said Ma. Cristina Cabalza, CCFPI Program and Finance Manager.

Five LGUs were initially selected with the objective of determining waste management strategies in the country’s four predominant landscape archetypes: highly urbanized cities, coastal communities, islands and lowlands.

“We are happy to work with businesses, policy makers, communities, and LGUs in implementing appropriate solutions for stopping plastic pollution. WWF sets to continue working with our partner stakeholders to achieve a plastic pollution free future,” said Czarina Constantino-Panopio, National Lead for No Plastics In Nature.

About WWF-Philippines:

The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines is an environmental non-government organization committed to create an impact on biodiversity protection and responding to the climate crisis -towards a safe and just recovery. WWF-Philippines works with a host of partners including national and local governments, to co-create inclusive, innovative, and interdisciplinary solutions that emphasize the role of science in the service of life.

WWF-Philippines' focus is on scaled solutions with our partners to match the enormity of the tasks required to address the urgent environmental challenges facing the present and next generations of Filipinos. Its mission is "to stop, and eventually reverse the accelerating degradation of the Philippine environment – to build a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature."

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Czarina Constantino-Panopio
National Lead, No Plastics in Nature Initiative
cconstantino@wwf.org.ph

For media arrangements, please contact:

Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Assistant Manager for External Communications and Ambassador Programs
09276566436
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph