ILOILO — Iloilo Province is building a circular economy from the Capitol down to the barangays, combining stronger policies, improved waste collection, better data, and infrastructure investments. The initiative recently drew support from international partners during a high-level meeting with provincial leaders.
Global Partners Meet Provincial Leaders
The Coca-Cola Foundation President Carlos Pagoaga and UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines Christophe Bahuet met with Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque. They discussed the province's vision for stronger waste management and a more circular economy.
The partnership supports the PH Plastics Circularity Project, which advances solutions across Banate, Dumangas, Iloilo City, Passi City, and Pototan. The project links policy, infrastructure, data, circular enterprises, and waste worker inclusion into a unified framework for action.
Provincial Ordinance Strengthens Policy Foundation
Iloilo is developing a Provincial Circular Economy Ordinance led by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's Committee on Environment. The measure aims to strengthen the policy foundation for sustained action across all municipalities and component cities.
This ordinance provides the legal backbone for local government units to implement consistent waste management programs. It also aligns provincial efforts with national frameworks, ensuring that local actions contribute to broader environmental goals while addressing specific community needs.
Passi City Leads Local Action
In Passi City, Mayor Stephen Palmares is advancing circular economy action through three key interventions. Three vehicles for collecting recyclables have been turned over, alongside training for community waste workers. This improves collection efficiency and supports worker livelihoods.
The Project AGUBAY digital waste tracking system is being piloted across 17 clustered barangays. This technology improves information on collection and recovery rates, enabling data-driven decisions. Accurate data helps local governments identify gaps and measure progress toward circular economy targets.
WOW Limpyo Iloilo Hub Breaks Ground
The groundbreaking of the planned WOW (Weave Out Waste) Limpyo Iloilo Hub marked another step in strengthening local infrastructure. The facility will serve as a shared recyclable waste collection and aggregation center in Passi City.
Backed by a PHP 15-million investment from the Iloilo Provincial Government under #LimpyoIloilo, the hub will bring together materials recovery, aggregation, upcycling, and links to markets. It transforms waste into economic value while creating opportunities for local enterprises and workers.
National Roadmap Translated Into Local Action
The work helps translate the Philippine National Plastic Action Partnership Roadmap 2026–2040 into local action. TCCF supports both the Iloilo project and the DENR-led NPAP, where UNDP serves as Secretariat.
This connection allows lessons from Iloilo to inform broader national efforts to reduce plastic pollution. By linking local implementation with national policy, the province demonstrates how coordinated action can scale impact from barangays to the entire archipelago.
