The presence of trash along the coastal communities is a longtime challenge faced by the residents and local officials in the province. Collectors observe that usually, the trash was also coming from nearby households.
The same problem is experienced in Barangay Mandaragat but the trash here is not only collected in sacks but converted to school supplies. This is the Palit-Basura project initiated to encourage residents of the barangay to collect trash and convert it into school supplies for children for the upcoming opening of classes.
Barangay Captain Gerry Abad looked at this initiative as a strategy to continuously engage residents in coastal clean-up after the launch of the Save the Puerto Princesa Bays program of the city government.
"Siguro mas maganda na magkaroon ng Palit-Basura, akma rin naman dahil malapit na ang pasukan, kailangan ng mga magulang na bibili pa ng gamit ng mga anak nila para sa eskwelahan," he said.
Residents of Barangay Mandaragat load the sacks of collected trash into the city government's dump truck. (Photo by Barangay Mandaragat Facebook Page)
Out of their own pockets, the officials raised funds to buy various school supplies. Abad tried to see if this effort would encourage locals to participate and help clean the coastal area.
Over 100 families have converted their trash collection with a volume of 15 tons loaded in two dump trucks. Residents may convert their trash collection every Saturday, he added.
"Nakita namin ang sitwasyon ng coastal talaga, sobrang taas ng porsyento ng basaura. Kung wala tayong gagawin na ibang paraan ay mas lalong lalaki ang volume na magpo-pollute sa Puerto Princesa Bay," he said.
By September, barangay officials also want to equate every sack of trash collected by residents with rice. The funding may be sourced from their partnership with the business sector, Abad added. (RPG/PIA Mimaropa-Palawan)
