(File Photo from the Quezon City Government) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The local government of Quezon City forged a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japanese Government to further pave the way for the transition of the city to a circular economy. 

The said partnership aims to accelerate the implementation of the city’s local climate action which primarily prioritizes the reduction of carbon emissions through sustainable practices in the environment. 

One of which is the use of biodigesters, a system that converts organic wastes such as food scraps and animal manure into biogas. This, on the other hand, becomes a renewable resource of gas for cooking and its liquid can be repurposed as a garden soil conditioner. 

On Sunday, July 2, the local government announced that the city was provided with 25 new biodigesters and a six-wheeler truck which will serve as food waste-on-wheels through the UNDP’s “ACE PROJECT” (Accelerating Nationally Determined Contribution through Circular Economy in Cities). 

This adds to the initial 6 biodigesters that are already positioned in public markers and community farms in the city aside from other circular economy initiatives including the promotion of the “Prevent, Reduce, Recycle, and Recover” campaign. 

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte meanwhile expressed her gratitude to the climate action partners from the international community for the provision of a system that will help the city achieve its climate resiliency goal. 

“We are truly grateful to the UNDP and the Japanese Government for providing the city with the Community to Farm Mobile Organic Waste Recovery System. This will surely help us meet our 50 percent waste diversion target as we gear towards a climate-resilient and low-carbon future,” said Mayor Joy. 

In addition, the city government also collaborated with non-governmental organization Greenpeace and venture builder Impact Hub Manila for its “Kuha sa Tingi” project that is anchored on the introduction of a “refill and reuse system” in local retail stores such as ‘sari-sari stores’ and market stalls to primarily address the plastic pollution problem in communities. 

In 2021, the local government launched the ‘Trash to Cashback’ program to allow residents affirm their ecological responsibility by surrendering their recyclable wastes and single-use plastics in exchange for environmental points that can be used to purchase essential goods and pay for their utility bills. 

In 2021, the city likewise established a partnership with Spark! Philippines and designer Zarah Juan for the “Vote to Tote” program which intended to upcycle 70 tons of campaign tarpaulins into reusable bags. 

Several landmark ordinances are also put in place to further control the generation and accumulation of wastes in the city. These are composed of City Ordinance 2868-2019 or the Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance and City Ordinance 2876-2019 which prohibits the use as well as the distribution of single-use plastics and other disposable materials for dine-in customers in local restaurants and hotel accommodation. 

Moreover, the city spearheaded a food waste recovery program in partnership with food rescue organization Scholars of Sustenance to save food products that are either unsold or rendered excess so it can benefit others, especially the disadvantaged families. (QC PAISD/PIA-NCR)