Feb. 6, 2026 – City, national agency officials, Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) recyclers and upcyclers, students, women leaders and those from peoples (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) gathered Sunday morning, Jan. 25 at Malcolm Square for the ecological waste management and sustainability fair opening program, which coincides with the celebration of January as Zero Waste month.
The theme for National Zero Waste month is: “Republic Act 9003 at 25, Honoring Our Past, Renewing Commitments, Innovating for a Cleaner Tomorrow.”
From the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division (EMED) chief Engr. Raul Cubangay hailed zero waste as a lifestyle, lifestyle changes and not just a one-day event. He also spoke about segregation, refusing single-use plastics, recycling and reusing among other strategies, “beyond compliance, and towards a culture of responsibility, innovation, and care for the environment.” With this, we overcome challenges and “move closer to a cleaner, healthier, and truly zero waste Baguio together with the whole nation,” he said.
Vice-Mayor Faustino Olowan expressed appreciation for the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU – Philippine Green Economy Partnerships) to sustainable practices, for recyclables and solid waste, for which there are potentials and opportunities for livelihood.
Councilor Elmer Datuin, as committee chair on health and sanitation, environmental and ecological matters, focused on the approval of the Pansa-nopen Circular Economy (CE) ordinance with inspiration from the gabi plant as being fully utilized, regenerative, indigenous and resilient.
City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) Assistant head Engr. Marivic Empizo spoke of renewing the collective vows to protect the Breathe Baguio spirit, transitioning from the linear “take-make-dispose” to circular economy. We support local recyclers and creative artisan as we join them in finding “creative ways to repair, refurbish and repurpose materials,” so we use resources as long as we can, she emphasized.
Zero Waste Baguio and Ecowaste Coalition advocates also expressed support for all the activities. Waste management and sustainable practices are the responsibility of all, it was expounded.
A recyclable collection event (RCE) by the DENR-EMB was conducted, with games and other activities alongside. According to EMB Ecological Solid Waste Management Section Chief Mark Anthony Solano, recyclable materials were collected thus: paper, 170 kilos; mixed paper, 27 kgs; carton, 167 kgs; cans, 29 kgs; aluminum, 16 kgs; metal, 93 kgs; plastic bottles, 40 kgs; glass bottles, 7kgs; from Paladin Hotel, Sto, Tomas National High School, Aslove Pintado and 7 individuals.
The Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PICHE) students Baguio Benguet Chapter were also present with an intermission and detailed explanation for recyclable and non-recyclable plastics, and handymen provided free shoe and umbrella repairs.
Roberto Dollente, Jr. from the CEPMO Waste Water and Hazardous Waste Management Division (WHWMD) reported that their booth was able to collect 89.3 kg of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE/e-waste) from residents of barangays Dominical-Mirador, Pacdal, New Lucban, Dizon, Lower Rock Quarry, Bakakeng Norte, Lower Magsaysay, City Camp Central, Loakan Proper, Lower QM and T. Alonzo. Some e-waste were also donated by residents from La Trinidad, Benguet.
Earlier, a two-day training sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) showcasing circular economy (CE) solution and innovations towards a zero waste Baguio was conducted for recyclers and upcyclers with the aim of upscaling recycled, refurbished, and remanufactured products. **jgfianza, with reports from WHWMD-CEPMO, EMB-DENR
