Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Naga City Government, team up to boost PET bottle collection and recycling efforts

In line with its mission to support local communities’ sustainable waste management efforts, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the Philippines, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize its partnership with the City of Naga and its community partners. As part of this collaboration, CCBPI provided a baling machine to support the city’s PET bottle collection and recycling initiatives. 

Representatives present (L-R) during the signing: Alfredo M. Gatongay of the Independent Component City Agriculture and Fishery Council of Naga, Annielen L. Panerio, General Manager of the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, Naga City Mayor Nelson S. Legacion, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) VP for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, Chairperson of RAFC Region 5 Bernadette delos Santos, and Chief of PMED and RAFC Bicol Regional Executive Officer Aloha Gigi Bañaria.

"CCBPI is proud to support the City of Naga in promoting its waste management initiatives and empowering its community members to actively participate in the city’s collection and recycling efforts. We thank all our partners—Mayor Nelson S. Legacion, the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, and the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council of Region 5—for working with us towards our goal of fostering cleaner and greener communities,” says Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, CCBPI VP for Corporate & Regulatory Affairs.

The partnership underscores the shared commitment of Coca-Cola, the local government, and partner communities to fostering a collective effort toward creating a circular economy for recyclable plastic packaging in Naga. Central to the effort is the CamSur Multipurpose Cooperative, which leverages its network of over 7,000 members to execute the collection initiatives for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles within the city. The Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council Region 5 will help oversee the project implementation to ensure that the collection efforts are seamlessly integrated into the community’s needs.

The goal is to ensure that all collected clear PET plastic bottles, regardless of brand, are diverted to PETValue Philippines, the country's first facility dedicated to bottle-to-bottle recycling. PETValue employs advanced technologies to transform fully recyclable post-consumer plastic packaging into new food-grade recycled PET (rPET) bottles. This facility is a joint venture between CCBPI and Indorama Ventures, a global sustainable chemical company.

Through strong multi-sectoral partnership, the initiative aims to promote a circular economy that is geared towards protecting the environment, supporting local livelihoods, and creating a better future for the residents of Naga City. 

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NcdEcoblog: 6 Tips to Travel Reponsibly

Naga City, Philippines - The social media is a massive source of information for your next travel destination. Giving out these travel guides come with a great responsibility on reminding how important it is to travel responsibly. While I have my #NcdEcoblog series, I know it's not enough to share to everyone that there are lots of things to do for our environment. As a blogger, I share my travel photos and itineraries for people to visit and let everyone realize how blessed we are that we have a rich province and region. While showcasing these tourist destinations it is never intended to tell everyone that we can do whatever we like without thinking about the consequences. But unfortunately, there are souls who do unthinkable acts that destroy the beauty and tranquility of our tourist spots. I despise people who carve their names on trees, vandalize wall of rocks and stones, drop garbage at freewill and many other unacceptable acts. Last year of April, I already made a blog post on pledging that I will keep our tourist spots clean. This year, together with the Bicol Bloggers, we aim to strengthen that cause to travel responsibly and use our online social media presence to reach as many people as we can.

Now here are my tips on how to travel responsibly. Thankfully, traveling responsibly has been in my system ever since I was a child plus I have an environmentalist mom. These tips cover all the aspects of how we travel day in and out.

1. Bring your own water bottle. It doesn't only save the environment but it also saves you from spending for a bottled mineral water. Plus, your own bottle will lessen your chance of throwing or leaving it accidentally especially when almost empty. It's almost always okay to leave it behind because at the back of your mind you can just buy another one because it's cheap. When the water bottle is yours and have been one of your essentials with lots of memories with it, there's a greater possibility that you won't just leave it behind at all cost. Imagine leaving a bottle of mineral water anywhere near Colasi Falls (left photo), not a good sight, really.

2. Use eco-bags or reusable bags. We can never totally do away with plastic and there are things that needs to be placed in a container made of plastic. In reality, we are in a third world country and plastics are affordable for most of us Filipinos. But when we are talking about the secondary packaging, let's say a microwavable container then you'll put it in a plastic bag. Why not use an eco-bag or paper bag as a secondary packaging, right? In this way we are reducing the use of plastic little by little.

3. GO LOCAL. Souvenirs play a good symbolism and memory of your trip but do not buy products from endangered species, artifacts and the like. Buy and EAT local because locals know best. Don't eat at a fastfood chain, restaurant or coffee shop that's also available in your own towns/city. It's pointless if you will and you traveled a long way just to eat in the same fastfood chain? Oh c'mon go explore and be surprised. Not only that we support the local economy but this is a better way of helping the locals rather than giving out alms especially to the beggars. Sometimes its even better to purchase from the small players other than the too commercialized products. If possible, refuse plastic bags when buying from stores or souvenir shop. If your bags are with you, put them in your bags instead. Maximize the space of your bag / luggage. Pack smart and this is also a skill that we must learn whenever we travel. 

Biniribid, a local kakanin and common meryenda or dessert for Bicolanos for only P6 to P8.

4. Reduce your carbon emissions. The main human activity that produces CO2 are electricity, transportation and industries. We all contribute to using these three right? Even though you check-in in a hotel and you are paying for a price, traveling responsibly will mean turning off the lights and AC when not in use go out for a stroll (but for hotels and inns with a centralized key card, everything will be shut down once you pull the key card off the socket). Along with transportation, if your destinations have short distances plus weather is good, it will be nicer to travel by foot instead of driving around. Perfect example is in Baguio City, if you are in the downtown area, better walk than drive, you'll just find a hard time parking and traffic will just give you a migraine.You just have to plan your trip well prior to your visit. Again the internet is a very good source of travel guides that you can follow from point A to B, C and so on. Don't forget the mobile apps that you can also download before traveling. 

5. Reduce throwing non-bio packagings. When visiting an island or beach resort, most people leave behind packagings of soap or shampoo after bathing in fresh water. Transfer contents of shampoo/conditioner and soap into  small and travel containers which you can buy in department stores anywhere. In my case, I used the ones I got from hotel accomodations. See, they have purpose. 

6. Travel with RESPECT and TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL. Read about the place, its culture and people. Learn a few of the local words, meeting people while traveling is a one of a kind experience. Being a responsible traveler needs respect not only to the place but most importantly to the locals. Everything else will follow if we start traveling with respect. We have a term here in Bicol "mag-makulog", it's like having a sense of empathy and care for someone or something even if it's not your own. 

Recently, I have seen a post on Twitter and Facebook of who seemed to be "proud" students who went on an outing somewhere in Albay and vandalized their group name, section? on a stone on the foot of beautiful falls. These kids may not have been mindful of their actions and from a point of view of a traveler like, it is a selfish act. We can never claim nature, we can never own them even just for a while. So why put your names and monikers on it?

So there you go guys, these are my top five (5) tips on how to travel responsibly. There are still so many ways, would you care to share your own too? Don't forget to use the hashtag #iTravelResponsibly and share your photos/videos on how you travel responsibly. Are you up for the challenge? I hope you are! Don't forget to also use the hashtags #BicolBloggers and #nagacitydeck and we'll gladly feature your photos or videos in our social media accounts.

Related Post: 10 Summer Essentials of a Blogger and Office Girl

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Naga City's Electric Tricycles

Finally! I got to ride an E-Trike! Normally, E-Trikes and Taxicles are almost always fully loaded. For a greener Naga, E-trikes will definitely help lessen air pollution in our city if eventually old tricycles will be phased out. I know any bold move of replacing the old with the new irks a bit our Tricycle operators. I hope they become open minded about this green initiative.

Electric tricycles can also accommodate 6 to 8 passengers similar to that of the Taxicles. Believed to have low operating cost than that of the gasoline operated tricycles, E-trikes also has a minimum fare of P8.

Since it is electric, expect a quite journey when it comes to its mechanism. Though quietness of the engine is a plus, I hope the units can have railings where passengers can hold on to especially if you're seated at the middle and the rear of the tricycle. The sudden force of the unit when accelerating can make the passenger feel unbalanced and I for myself fear of falling at the back of the unit. But overall, the electric tricycles are definitely for the win since we need to lessen our air-pollution in our city. 

Here's a short clip of my e-trike journey. :)

E-Trikes sa Ciudad nin Naga: An Maogmang Lugar (Naga City, Bicol)#nagacitydeck
Posted by Bicol Deck on Saturday, 19 December 2015

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NcDEcoBlog: Pasacao Coastal Clean Up

Pasacao, Camarines Sur - The Summer Capital Town of CamSur is every Camarinesense's childhood summer destination. I miss the grandeur of this beach every time summer approaches back in the days. I remember picking up a perfect heart shaped stone and kept it during my elementary days. This vivid picture of how clean and clear the shoreline still lingers in my memory.

We all contributed to the current situation of the Summer Capital Town of CamSur. It might be the same old Pasacao beach to many but you know what I mean. I believe, the same people can change it back for the better. What we're seeing today in Pasacao is never really the same as compared from two decades ago or more. The bulk of people visiting a place for recreation poses high risk of getting it polluted.

Last September 25, I joined a coastal clean up in Caranan, Pasacao, Camarines Sur organized by Central Bicol State University of Agriculture's (CBSUA) League of Ecologists managed by my mom, Ma'am Joyce DLT. Every clean up drive is somehow ironic for me. Why do people have to clean other peoples' town? Is it too much for them to clean their own place? Perhaps the purpose of any clean-up drive is always two-way: First, to let the residents feel concerned that locals from other towns are the ones cleaning their own town (sounds a little bit sarcastic to be honest). Second, the spirit of volunteerism still reigns in every person who joins clean-up drives. Either way, I do hope every clean-up drive does not cause dependency on the volunteering group and that volunteers never get tired of their advocacy to help others.



The clean-up was supported by the Army Engineers of the BicolBuilders based in Camp Weene, Pili, Camarines Sur. The Army Engineers provided the transportation of the group. Also, volunteer faculty members of CBSUA joined the drive. As they say it, the more hands the better. Some of the students had to dip in the water since it's still part of the shoreline during low tide. Sad reality, there are trashes underneath the water almost buried in the sand.

Notice the thin rope on the photo below? The students and volunteers are literally boxed in, so that every part of the shore is completely cleared from trash. This is actually a good strategy for a very purposive activity. Kung sa Bicol, nasusurod na maray ang ati sa pangpang kang dagat.

This is not your ordinary clean-up drive. The volunteers were divided into groups and each group takes note of the trash collected like garments, plastic wrappers, bottles, slippers, copper wires, etc. Collected data will be sent to Manila for further studies. Proper segregation of the trash was also followed.

Aside from the clean-up, hitting two birds with one stone, a laboratory activity was also conducted by a specific year level of the BS Environmental Science students. 

The activity was supposedly scheduled September 27 for the Simultaneous International Coastal Clean Up. Since September 25 was a holiday, the group decided to have it on that day so that they will be able to rest for Monday. 

I can still remember my first coastal clean-up drive almost 5 years ago. I was with a different group then. The location was near the Pasacao market. You can just imagine the thrash in the area? Collection was done like the usual way, no recording of what was gathered and with no segregation. So maybe in future clean-up drive endeavors, at least the segregation of the waste should be followed. 

And oh by the way, good luck to CBSUA, they are one of the National Finalists in the SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS. I believe the Top 3 will be announced this November. 

Just recently, the Philippines is in the top 3 of participating countries in the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2015 report of Ocean Conservancy. So this means I/WE were able to contribute to this project! Yay! You can read more about this achievement at

http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/phl-among-worlds-best-in-coastal-cleanup-initiative/

Get the Alcatel One Touch Flash exclusive only at Lazada Ph

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NcDEcoBlog: Naga City River Clean Up Drive 2015

It is again the time of the year when different stakeholders from the metro and neighboring municipalities meet to prepare the Naga River for the celebration of the Peñafrancia Festival.

Various partners were invited by the City Government through the Naga City ENRO which includes government offices, NGOs, academe and volunteers where they were given designations and gather along the stretch of the city's sacred river starting from barangay Tabuco to Balatas for

the annual Naga City River Clean Up Drive.

Different government agency employees together with the  Philippine Army cleaned along Balatas Road near the "Danlugan ni Ina".

Barangay officials were also present during the activity seen at the adjacent bank.

Also, dredging activities by the DPWH started early this year in connection with the concreting of the riverbanks. This also may help deepen the river just in time for the fluvial procession.

Not only along the riverbanks that the clean-up drive took place but also at the streets of Magsaysay Avenue and along the National Highway, whereas City ENR Officer Orosco personally supervise.

May this move perpetually help to save our environment as much as the importance we give to our "Inang Peñafrancia" not only during the festival but for the whole year as well.

We are very grateful for your undying support!

Viva la Virgen!!!

Contributor: Kookai Sabareza of Black and White Scribbles

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NcDEcoBlog: Adopt-Linis Estero Program

Pili, Camarines Sur - February 28, 2015, second Activity of the Adopt-Linis Estero Program spearheaded by the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-University Environmental Management Office (CBSUA-UEMO), CBSUA-League of Ecologist (LOE), Barangay Local Government Unit of San Jose, Pili and the 51st Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army along CBSUA and Camp Weenee Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Let us take you back to where it all started.

A Memorandum of Agreement between the Environmental Management Bureau V (EMB) and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) was signed last April 22, 2014 and aims to rehabilitate/clean the CBSUA-Martillana Estero, prevent waterborne diseases, improve the living condition of estero communities and improve the quality of the flowing water and also a collaborative endeavor of the Philippine Army, BLGU San Jose, and the estero community.

Sampling of estero water is done quarterly a week after clean up whereas the CBSUA is in charge of the collection and analysis by the EMB. The submission of report is on the 12th day of the following quarter.

The first estero clean up was done last November 29, 2014 participated by 125 stakeholders consisting of LOE members, the community and the Philippine Army. ~ By Kookai Sabareza

An Opening Program was initiated by CBSUA-UEMO Joyce V. de la Trinidad to give an overview of the program.

The group was divided into four; Headquarters and the Alpha Company together with some LOE members were designated in front of the camp where the adopted creek starts.

 Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanoides) were planted alongside the bank for slope stabilization and as well as pollution control.

Bravo and Charlie company were designated along the estero community which has a 500 meter stretch.

All rights reserved. Please do not use or copy the photo without the author's permission.

Three hours later and you can see the big difference.

All rights reserved. Please do not use or copy the photo without the author's permission.

Photo Credits to Phil. Army

A total of 39 bags of wastes were collected during the 3 hour activity.

The group after the clean up activity.

The people behind the success of this activity: (from left to right) Gloria Q. Camposano, Ph. D., UEMO Joyce V. de la Trinidad,  Sir Lecaros of the Phil. Army, Brgy. Captain Eunice Eleda, and Brgy. Kgwd. Ferdinand Alamo.

Photo Credits to Phil. Army

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Climate walkers reach Albay

Climate Walkers reach Albay Province,

the “climate change capital” of the Philippines

Legazpi City, Philippines, October 22, 2014 – Today, over a thousand people participated in the Albay leg of the “People’s Walk for Climate Justice”. Albay Governor Joey Salceda welcomed the group who have walked a distance of 500 kilometers and are now more than halfway in their quest to reach Tacloban City by November 8, the first anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda’s historic landfall in the Philippines.

“Albay welcomes these climate advocates, our modern-day heroes who are raising awareness on climate change and are fighting the climate fight on behalf of millions of Filipinos who are bearing the brunt of extreme weather events that often cause disasters and human misery,” said Salceda.

A staunch supporter of the climate revolution and a champion for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts, Governor Salceda spent his birthday by joining the climate walkers.

Hailed by the UN as the role model on good practices on disaster risk reduction program, Albay province consistently follows through with its goal of “zero casualty” in times of calamities whether it be from typhoons, landslides, floods, storm surges. This goal will again be put to a test with the pending eruption of Mayon Volcano.

The province is also lauded for its climate change adaptation (CCA) efforts, with Governor Salceda being the prime mover of the CCA program that led to a commitment between national and local government.

“Albay has a zero casualty policy as far as disaster impacts is concerned. We have also created the institutional frameworks to deal both with climate change and disaster risks, and have set aside budgets to reduce future risks from the impacts of climate change, including through our work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Dealing with climate change and disaster risks is the responsibility of chief executives of local government and cannot be delegated or outsourced,”[1] Salceda added.

Ron Villafuerte, a Greenpeace volunteer climate walker and a proud native of Bicol, called on the leaders of other cities to follow suit and transition to a more resilient, low carbon pathway. “The Philippines can lead the climate revolution if we replicate the efforts and commitments done by Albay province to the rest of the country.”

For updates like Climate Walk on Facebook. HERE

Now on its 21st day, the climate walk seeks to raise awareness on climate change by getting commitments from local policymakers and holding climate programs in communities, schools and local government offices, sharing stories of local folk on the ground and mobilizing people in demanding world leaders to take climate action and holding big industry polluters and their respective governments accountable for their contribution to the climate crisis.

“Imagine what the world would be like if we had more progressive leaders that value nature and the environment, to ensure a habitable planet for all their citizens. I dedicate this walk to support the call for climate justice because I refuse to succumb to a life that is doomed to the impacts of climate change,” concludes Villafuerte.

For more information on the Climate Walk: A People’s Walk for Climate Justice, please go to http://climatewalknow.wordpress.com


Press contact:

Rash Caritativo
Mobile: +63917 863 8055
Email: media.climatewalk@gmail.com

Diah Abida
Mobile: +63917 8686451
Email: diah.abida@greenpeace.org

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Anduyog sa Salog

Anduyog sa Salog
FREE CONCERT

An Environmental Concert featuring Mr. Joey Ayala.
June 5, 2014 at Plaza Quezon as we pay tribute to the historic Bicol River and know how we can help preserve its beauty!

Image Source: Avenue Plaza Hotel FB

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66th Naga City Charter Anniversary

66th Charter Anniversary Celebration Schedule of Activities

These are the line up of events for the charter anniversary celebration. For more details visit Naga Smiles to the World FB Page.

Image Source http://www.facebook.com/NagaSmilesToTheWorld
Click on the photo to enlarge

May 27, 2014 – Jesse M. Robredo Birth Anniversary
May 28 to June 12, 2014 – National Flag Days
June 5, 2014 - Environmental Concert with Joey Ayala @ Plaza Quezon, 7PM
June 12, 2014 – Philippine Independence Day Celebration @ Plaza Quince Martires, 7AM
June 12 to 13, 2014 – Government Services: Job Fair @ Plaza Quezon and Diskwento Fair @ Kinastilyohan Street
June 12 to 15, 2014 – Food and Agri Fair @ Plaza Rizal
June 14 to 15, 2014 – Kinalas Festival @ Plaza Rizal
June 15, 2014 – Arbor Day Pili Mania Re-launching
   1st Mt. Isarog Eco-Tourism Endurance Challenge, 5AM
June 17, 2014 – Civil Registration Day @ Plaza Quezon, 8AM

June 18, 2014 – Charter Day Celebration
   8AM - 10th Naga City Charter Day BasketBall Tournament @ JMR Coliseum (Opening Ceremonies)
   9AM - June Bride: Mass Civil Wedding @ Plaza Quince Martires
   7PM - Mayoral Awards 2014 @ Avenue Convention Plaza
   4PM - Thanksgiving Mass @ Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
   5PM - Charter Parade @ Cathedral to Plaza Quezon
   6PM - Charter Day Concert @ Plaza Quezon
 
June 19, 2014 – Dr. Jose Rizal Birth Anniversary

Bike, Plant and Run! For registration details, you may contact the Sports Coordinator Justine Francis Barja at 4735988.

 Image Sources: Naga Smiles to the World FB

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