ORMOC CITY, LEYTE, PHILIPPINES — Turning Organic Waste into Sustainable Livelihoods In a pioneering move to redefine urban waste management, Ormoc City has launched the Organic Bio-Boost (BiBo) Facility. Located within the city’s massive 32-hectare Eco-Waste Center in Barangay Green Valley, this state-of-the-art facility turns tons of discarded food scraps and organic waste into valuable resources, driving both environmental conservation and economic opportunity across Eastern Visayas.
International Support for Local Circular Innovation The BiBo initiative marks a major milestone in Ormoc’s transition toward a circular economy, backed by local and international development partners:
Global Funding: Supported by the European Union in the Philippines under the EU's Global Gateway initiative through the #EUPHGreenEconomyPartnership (#GreenLGUs).
Multi-Agency Leadership: Spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), co-led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines.
Environmental Impact: By diverting biodegradable waste away from the primary landfill, the facility mitigates unpleasant odors, controls pest risks, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with decomposing organic material.
Empowering Waste Workers and Supporting Local Farmers Beyond environmental protection, the BiBo Facility places frontline waste workers at the center of its operations, turning informal waste management into dignified, organized livelihoods:
Livelihood Upgrades: Integrates local waste pickers, collectors, and recyclers into a structured, safe operational environment with improved working conditions and reliable income streams.
Agricultural Boost: Converts raw organic waste into high-quality compost and soil conditioners to support local farmers and urban agriculture projects.
Community-Wide Action: Success relies on strict household-level waste segregation, business compliance, and community participation across all 85 barangays.
As DENR Regional Executive Director Arturo N. Salazar noted, Ormoc City is demonstrating that effective environmental management can create meaningful benefits not only for the ecosystem, but directly for the people who serve on the frontlines of sustainability.
