CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, – – Elementary pupils in the commercial center of this city help provide for their school needs through plastic and bottle collection in exchange for school supplies.
Dagupan Centro Barangay Chairman George Esteras said they thought of this project to involve the pupils in the implementation of the waste management and environment protection program of the barangay local government unit, and also to help the parents with some of the school needs of the children.
The project dubbed “Plastic Bottles for School Supplies” is spearheaded by the Sangguniang Kabataan of the barangays and supervised by the Barangay Council.
Pupils can bring the plastics and bottles to the barangays in exchange for corresponding school supplies. The barangay sells the collected plastics and bottles in bulk to buyers.
“We don’t earn income but we earn from developed cooperation and from its end result which is to live in clean surroundings,” Esteras said.
He added that this can become a partnership endeavor between school children and parents in instilling good citizenship and community service.
Being the show-window of the city on cleanliness, Esteras said the Dagupan Centro officials and residents maintain the “Batug Ko, Dalus Ko”, “Bote Mo Shoot Mo” putting receptacles along streets, and the regular monthly clean-up drive in cooperation with the Tabuk Multi-Purpose Cooperative that provides merienda for cleaners. Manual desilting of canals is also being carried out.
The barangay council also passed the “Anti-Spitting of Momma” ordinance and requested the city government to deploy street sweepers. **JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga
