By: Diody P. Fadullan
Solid waste management is a growing and never ending problem in most places in the world. China has an amazing solution to this problem. It is by collecting and even importing technological waste from other countries to recycle them. They produce Tin, Copper and Gold out of a cellular phone or a desktop computer. Washington, USA on the other hand collects biological waste and develops it to produce garden soil. Here in the Philippines, Kalibo, Aklan found its own little ways to start a new venture. All three are undertakings to recycle solid waste into another useable material.
Recycling of solid waste in Kalibo is an initiative of the local government in partnership with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) to provide livelihood to its underprivileged residents to also later on earn a good income. “Nakikita po kasi naming problema sa dump site na maraming gulong at di nabubulok kaya naisipan po naming i-recycle. (We saw that one of the problems in the dump site is used tires that do note decompose so we thought of recycling them.),” John Peter Madula, Kalibo LGU Solid Waste Enforcer shared in an interview.
Initiatives that cater to both men and women alike
STUB Kalibo (Society of Tire Upcyclers for a Better Kalibo) composed of the male beneficiaries of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) was organized by the Solid Waste Services of Kalibo to collect and recycle used tires into tables and chairs, flower pots as well as decorative figures like the swan.
“Malaking tulong po ito sa 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) sa livelihood program na sa huli kung ano yung mga outcome po pwede pong magamit sa pamilya namin at sa community as well po namin. (This livelihood is of great help to 4Ps beneficiaries that in the end this can be used by our family and the community as well.)” Anthony Ame, 41, President of STUB Kalibo says with gratitude.
AWARE Kalibo (Association of Women Recyclers of Kalibo) on the other hand is their female counterpart, recycling plastic waste into bags and wallets.
“Ito pong wallet at water bottle holder ay gawa po sa plastic bag na patapon na. Ito po ay basura na. Ito po ay aming ginugupit at pinagdudugtong-dugtong. (These wallet and water bottle holder are made of plastic waste. We cut and stitch them together.),” Gina Bautista, 44, President of AWARE Kalibo shares while holding the sample products.
“Ito pong produktong ito ay naisipan po ng solid waste sa Kalibo para po para po makatulong po sa mga basurang nakatambak doon sa dumping site kasi po ito yung concern ng Kalibo. Itong plastic po kasi, matagal itong masira, madecompose. Ang buhay po nito ay pang-matagalan at nakakasira sa kalikasan. (This product is an initiative of the Solid Waste Services of Kalibo as a remedy to the pile of garbage in the dumpsite being a concern of Kalibo. It is because this plastic takes time to decompose. Its life is long term and it destroys the environment.),” Gina continues.
This initiative by the local government hits two birds with one stone by resolving solid waste problem in the municipality as well as livelihood concerns among mothers. “Naisipan po ng solid waste na tumayo nitong organization para makatulong din sa mga nanay na wala pong ginagawa doon po malapit sa dumping site. Kahit papaano po ay nakakatulong kami sa aming asawa kahit po kami ay nasa bahay lang. Kahit po kami ay nanonood ng TV o nagbabantay ng maliliit na bata, yung mga anak namin, ito po ay nagagawa namin. (This organization was formed by the Solid Waste Services to help the jobless mothers living near the dumping site. We can somehow help our husbands even though we are just at home. We can do this even though we are watching television or taking care of our kids.),” Gina explains.
“Actually po may plano na po yung tourism na bigyan kami ng pwesto sa may palengke para lahat po ng product ng SLP (Sustainable Livelihood Program) ay ma-showcase po namin doon. Sana po ito ay matupad para makatulong din po sa aming mga mother po na wala pong hanap-buhay; para makatulong po sa mga asawa namin. Nagpapasalamat po yung asosasyon ng solid waste dito po sa DSWD at ito po ay nakakatulong sa amin. Maraming salamat po. (Actually, the tourism office plans to gives us a place in the market for us to showcase all the products of SLP. We hope for this to happen to help us jobless mothers, to help our husbands. The association of Solid Waste Services is thankful to DSWD for this really helped us. Thank you so much.),” Gina concludes with pride and hope and gratitude.
Government initiative that considers its constituents will always be successful as its results provide a solution to the many growing problems in a community. With that, APPROVE (Association of Pantawid Pamilya Recognizing Organic Vocation for Environment) was formed as the mother of all other 4Ps associations like STUB Kalibo and AWARE Kalibo. To showcase these efforts, the products mentioned as well as those coming from other SLPAs are all displayed on APPROVE SLP Kalibo Marketing Cooperative in D. Maagma Sr. St., Kalibo, Aklan.
Solid waste was first seen as a problem but later on became a solution as a livelihood for the underprivileged. Not only that garbage was turned into creative materials but also helped a lot of poor families in Kalibo.