PASIG CITY, (PIA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority recently brought its mobile material recovery facility (MMRF) to trade in collected trash for basic commodities in Makati.

The MMRF, dubbed as “Recyclable Mo, Palit Grocery Ko,” allows residents to collect waste with equivalent points duly recorded in their Ecosavers Passbook and trade it into certain grocery items such as canned goods, instant noodles, and rice which can be redeemed during the MMRF Market Day.

The MMDA also introduced Takakura home composting method in Barangays San Isidro and Pio del Pilar in Makat aimed at improving solid waste management and minimize waste in waterways in all Metro Manila local government units.

“These initiatives are meant to institutionalize a system for barangays that will lessen generated garbage which eventually end up at esteros and other waterways,” MMDA Chair Benhur Abalos said during the event.

 The residents were taught Takakura home composting method, a community-based composting using fermentation solutions made from a Japanese urban-based technology.

Abalos also said that the MMDA is already coordinating with other non-government organizations with similar programs and initiatives to further intensify the agency’s solid waste campaign and bring it to more barangays in Metro Manila.

“Through these partnerships, we provide residents more options and wider reach to recycle their waste, promote segregation, and exchange it into something that would benefit the community,” he added.

Barangay Captains Rolando “Duka” Alvarez, Jr. of San Isidro and Hazel Ann “Popcorn” Lacia of Pio del Pilar both thanked the MMDA for bringing these initiatives in their barangay, stressing that this project empowers constituents in addressing garbage woes which usually caused flooding.

Meanwhile, Abalos also said that the MMDA continues to deploy trash traps in esteros and tributaries near its pumping stations to block entry of garbage and prevent the facility from further damage caused by trash.

Amid all these efforts, Abalos reminded the public not to indiscriminately dump their waste on streets and waterways.

The MMRF and Community-Based Takakura Composting are part of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

The MMDA is tasked to implement the project’s Component 2, Minimizing Solid Waste in Waterways which aims to improve the solid waste management system in barangays located near the pumping station, aligned with the agency’s mandate to implement alternative programs and activities intended to reduce, re-use and recycle solid waste. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)