SBMA recognized for outstanding upcycling efforts in CL

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was recently recognized for its best efforts to upcycle wastes from among other contenders in Central Luzon.

Themed “Celebrating the Excellence and Partnership of Environmental Champions,” the Environmental Summit 2024 was held on June 28 at the Widus Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga to give recognition to local government units (LGUs), industries and stakeholders with best practices in waste management.

OIC-Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Group and SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana-Koval personally received the agency’s award for its “Outstanding Practice in Upcycling Operation” from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Central Luzon.

Dela Llana-Koval acknowledged the various departments and offices of the SBMA and its stakeholders for its all-out support that largely contributed to the success of Ecology Center’s events and activities.

“We are very grateful to the EMB for recognizing our efforts in solid waste management, especially in recycling and upcycling. It is with pride and honor that the Ecology Center shares this award to the entire agency. It is only through the support of other SBMA departments and offices and our stakeholders that we are able to achieve this,” she said.

The Environmental Summit was attended by representatives of various agencies and LGUs in Central Luzon--EMB regional director, DENR assistant regional executive director, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional director, Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) and awardees from Region 3, governors, mayors, barangay captains, SBMA, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and industries, to name a few.

The accolade is attributed to the Ecology Center’s continuous conduct of Recyclable Collection Events, Scrap to Craft contest in collaboration with schools within the SBF, Green Runway Fashion competition, and other related environmental activities, to reduce, recycle and upcycle wastes, which are regularly witnessed by EMB R3 personnel from the Waste Management Division.

Other awards which gave cognizance to other entities for their efforts to promote environmental protection and waste management were, “Most compliant in Ecological Solid Waste Management Implementation,” “Best Materials Recovery Facility,” “Best Composting Innovation,” “Outstanding Support in Ecological Solid Waste Management Implementation,”  “Industry Partners in Environmental Protection, Enhancement and Restoration,” to name a few.

Meanwhile, Dela Llana-Koval assured that the Ecology Center, together with the entire agency, will always do their best and further innovate to address solid waste management concerns.

The Environmental Summit is the culminating event for the Environment Month, which is conducted annually by the Environmental Management Bureau-Region 3. (MPD-SBMA)

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Coca-Cola turns over PET bottle bins, benches to SBMA

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) turned over bottle collection bins and benches to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as part of the company’s “World Without Waste” (WWW) program here in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

According to CCBPI Stakeholder Relations Associate Manager Atty. Dianne Patawaran, the bottle collection bins are situated in various areas of this premier Freeport such as the Boardwalk Area, Mini Golf area, Remy Field, and the Malawaan Park.

She added that the benches donated are made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles collected from the WWW program, citing that these benches will also be located in the aforementioned areas within the SBFZ.

The official said that the SBMA and their company placed these collection bins in frequented areas of tourists so they can drop off their PET bottles of any brand there.

Corporate and Regulatory Affairs director Atty. Marc Cox said that the  WWW is a program launched by the company a few years ago.

“Our ambition is to collect and recycle the equivalent can or pet bottle we put out in the market. In the Philippines, we are in a unique position since Coca-Cola invested in a recycling facility called PET Value Philippines Corp.,” he added.

The company official cited that some of the recycled bottles from the recycling facility will become available locally for use by Coca-Cola. He added that they  have already started using recycled PET bottles in their Viva mineral water in eco bottles.

Both the SBMA and the CCBPI signed the agreement on the World Without Waste program, helping the beverage company in collecting as many PET bottles from these collection bins and upcycling them into benches, school chairs, and even trash bins.

SBMA Ecology Manager Amethya Dela Llana and CCBPI Stakeholder Relations, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director Atty. Mark Anthony Cox signed the agreement at the Boardwalk area, further solidifying the partnership of the two in making the SBFZ cleaner and greener.

Dela Llana lauded the efforts of CCBPI, citing that PET bottles have been one of the most visible trash seen in the SBFZ. She cited that the agreement would not only help minimize the number of PET bottles littered here, but would also be used in upcycling the material into useful furniture.

Cox said that the company aims to help collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one we sell by 2030.

“That’s our vision for World Without Waste, an ambitious environmental program we launched in 2018. The world has a packaging problem. As the world’s biggest beverage company, we have a responsibility to help solve it,” he said.

He added that the company aims to make their packaging 100 percent recyclable by 2025, and use 50 percent recycled material in our bottles and cans by 2030.

“As we work toward a world without waste, we aim to collect and recycle a bottle or can — regardless of where it comes from — for every one we sell by 2030,” he said. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA statement on imported wastes discovered at Subic Bay Freeport

Last Saturday, October 17, 2020, the Bureau of Customs at the Port of Subic raised an alert over two shipments consisting of 30 container vans declared to be containing old corrugated cartons for re-pulping. The shipments were transported from the United States via the container ship Ever Lyric and consigned to Bataan 2020, Inc., a paper manufacturer with a mill in Samal, Bataan.

The alert was based on information from the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that said shipments are suspected to be in violation of R.A. 10863, or An Act Modernizing the Customs and Tariff Administration, in relation to DERNR Administrative Order 2013-22 (Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous Wastes).

After initial examination of five container vans, BOC-Subic declared that “the shipment revealed prohibited waste materials which were illegally imported.” BOC-Subic said it will undertake further inventory “to ascertain the volume and actual contents of the shipment.”

As manager of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) vehemently denounces this apparent attempt to smuggle waste materials into the country and likewise deplores the use of the Subic Bay Freeport as a transit point for this illegal trade.  

It was just last year — on May 31, 2019 — that we successfully banished from our shores 69 garbage-laden containers from Canada, of which 67 had stayed here in Subic in their putrid condition for several years. We don’t want that sordid chapter in our history to happen again.

We join all concerned government agencies in vigilance against illegal importations and urge that those found involved in this unlawful activity be properly prosecuted.

We cannot, and should not, condone the dumping of wastes from any country into our shores.

WILMA T. EISMA

SBMA Chairman and Administrator

October 22, 2020

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More business locators join SBMA ‘war on waste’

The country’s premier free port maintains its reputation as home to booming industries and businesses amidst a thriving natural environment due to the collective effort of stakeholders here to minimize waste.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana said more Subic Freeport companies have joined the agency’s “War on Waste” program since the start of the Recyclable Collection Event (RCE) project in 2016.

“Our business locators now see the benefits of properly disposing trash: it’s orderly and more efficient, as well as economical,” Dela Llana said on Thursday during the 6th RCE held at the former mini-golf course along Waterfront Road here.

The participating companies brought to the collection event various recyclable items like used car batteries, cardboard and paper scraps, and light bulbs.

“It has been our company’s initiative to properly dispose of our hazardous wastes, being a company that conducts inspection, verification and tests on various products such as gas, oil and other chemicals,” said Marge Lingad, the administrative officer of SGS Subic.

Lingad said the firm used to outsource treatment of wastes generated by their operation. “But now we have found an economical way to dispose of these and at the same time, help raise funds for the environment,” she added.

Recyclable items generated through the SBMA project are sold to recyclers, and proceeds are donated to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, which funds the Bantay Kalikasan, an organization that promotes healthy environment for local communities.

In the recently concluded 6th RCE, the SBMA Ecology Center recognized Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. for religiously donating recyclable trash since the pilot collection event three years ago, as well as for donating recyclable trash worth P32,160 during the previous RCE.

Apart from Hanjin, the companies recognized for their contributions to the recycling project include Subic Truckboy, SGS (Subic Bay) Inc., Broadband Broadcast Services, Nidec Subic Philippines, Sanyo Denki Phils. Inc., Koryo Subic, Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), Wistron Infocomm Phils., Mateen Tokyo Intl. Inc., and Apollo Subic International Trading Corp.

Among the SBMA departments, meanwhile, the Procurement and Property Management Department (PPMD) was recognized for turning in recyclables worth P297,380 at the 5th RCE in November 2018.

In a short program that kicked off the 6th RCE, Dela Llana pointed out that when astronauts go to outer space, they experience the “overview effect” where they feel how fragile the earth is.

“I hope we do not have to go to outer space just to realize how fragile the earth is. With the series of earthquakes and aftershocks, let us help our environment adapt to the changes by doing environmentally-sound practices,” she added.

Dela Llana also announced that recyclable items like old tires, expired medicines, rubber shoes/slippers, and used clothes will also be accepted in the next collection event.

The RCE is part of the SBMA’s “War on Waste” program that also included an anti-littering drive, regulated use of plastic straws and plastic bags for wet products, and ban of single-use plastics. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Companies located at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone bring recyclable items to the 6th SBMA Recyclable Collection Event on Thursday. (MPD-SBMA)

[2] Volunteers teach the art of turning recyclable items into reusable or alternative-use products during the 6th SBMA Recyclable Collection Event on Thursday. (MPD.SBMA)

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SBMA urges neighbors to join recycling effort

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) urges communities around the Subic Bay Freeport to participate in its recyclable collection project to minimize the release of wastes into the environment and help raise funds for resource conservation.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ramon Agregado said during the 5th Recyclables Collection Event (RCE) here Thursday that gathering recyclable wastes is the flipside of SBMA efforts to clean up the coastline and waters of Subic Bay, which is acknowledged as the lifeblood of both tourism and trade in the greater Subic Bay area.

“We should not only endeavor to make this recyclable collection event a periodic institutional activity, but we should strive to make it something bigger that will also encompass the neighboring localities of Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan,” Agregado said.

“This war on waste should not be an exclusive mandate for the SBMA. It should, instead, be a communal effort on the part of various stakeholders in the Subic area so that we can produce more significant results,” he added.

Agregado admitted that since attending the RCE last year, he began to collect recyclable plastics in preparation for this year’s event.

“If this activity affected me and encouraged me to collect recyclable trash, I hope others would also realize that we need to help save the environment in our own small way,” he added.

SBMA’s recyclables collection project is part of the agency’s bigger “War on Waste” program, which has recently included an anti-littering campaign and a ban on the use of single-use plastics in SBMA workplaces.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Ameth Dela Llana said the RCE was undertaken in partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs, as well as various treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities like VAG General Merchandising in Pampanga, Genetron International Marketing, Evergreen Environmental Resources, Inc., and Semi-Recycling Joechem in Bulacan.

During the event, SBMA also presented tokens of appreciation to 10 companies inside the Subic Freeport, which delivered the biggest volume of recyclable trash during the 4th RCE.

These are Hanjin Heavy Industries Company (Phils.), Subic Water and Sewerage Co., Nidec Subic, PTT Phils. Corp., Subic Track, Koryo Subic, SGS Subic Bay, Petron Freeport Corp., Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., and Jack Electronics Corporation.

The recyclables brought in by the participating firms, as well as by the community groups and households, are paid for by recyclers.

In some cases, the firms pay for the trash brought in for treatment and subsequent disposal.

Dela Llana said that the SBMA collection program generated proceeds amounting PHP137,000 last year. During the 3rd RCE in 2016, the proceeds reached PHP230,000.

She said the cash proceeds are turned over to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, which funds the “Bantay Kalikasan” organization that promotes healthy environment for children, and helps communities earn revenue from protecting and turning their natural environment to tourism destinations.

The 5th RCE was held at an open space near the Boardwalk Activity Center here, drawing business locators and residents from both the Subic Freeport and Olongapo City to bring in their solid, hazardous, and electronic wastes to either sell or donate.

Some volunteers also took the time to teach the public techniques in making decorations out of wastes like plastic bottles, straw and food wrappers. (Malou Dungog, PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1054164

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SBMA creates anti-littering task force

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) created an anti-littering task force to effectively implement its no-littering policy and set fines to discourage violations.

SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that the agency has started enforcing a policy that prohibits dumping or throwing of garbage, rubbish or any kind of waste in parks, roads, beach, forests, rivers, streams or on any open or public place inside the Freeport.

It is also illegal under the policy for anybody to urinate, defecate, dispose of cigarette butts, or spit in public places.

To ensure effective implementation of the no-littering policy, Eisma issued an order creating the SBMA Anti-Littering Task Force manned by marshals from the SBMA Ecology Center, Law Enforcement Department, Maintenance and Transportation Department, and Tourism Department.

She said these personnel are deputized to apprehend violators and recommend issuance of Notice of Violation (NoV) to any Subic Bay Freeport Zone establishment caught violating the policy.

She also said the agency has imposed a fine of PHP1,500 and four hours of community service for individual offenders and pet handlers found violating the policy.

The same fine of PHP1,500 and four hours of community service will be imposed for Subic Bay Freeport residents for littering, or improper or untimely stacking of garbage outside their residences.

Meanwhile, stiffer penalty will be given to violators among business establishments in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone: PHP50,000 per day of violation for each count of littering, improper or untimely stacking of garbage outside the establishment, and for garbage with leaking foul odor.

Eisma urged the public to help in enforcement and report incidents of littering, including the license plate number of violators, to the Law Enforcement Department at 911 (landline) or 9111 (mobile) or to the “No Kalat” hotline at 09176852528.

The no-littering policy took off from SBMA’s war on waste (WOW) program, as well as the agency’s thrust to enhance public awareness on environmental "malasakit" (concern).

Last month, the SBMA banned single-use plastic like stirrers, forks and spoons, straws, cups, and take-out food bags inside SBMA workplaces.

The SBMA advised canteens, stores and other food establishments here to use alternative food packaging.

“We should show good example and walk the talk,” Eisma said as she encouraged SBMA employees and Freeport companies to join the “straw-less” drive, ban on single-use plastics, and the agency’s recyclables collection program. (Ruben Veloria, PNA)

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Subic community pitch in for SBMA recycling project

Companies, workers and residents brought used light bulbs, car batteries, unused paints, electronic discards, and even old air conditioners to an empty lot here on Friday to join the Subic Bay community in a collection program to recycle wastes and donate the proceeds to charity.

The project was the fourth in a series of Recyclables Collection Event (RCE) organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in line with its “War on Waste” program.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the bi-annual SBMA activity encourages Subic stakeholders to help keep the Subic Bay Freeport clean by collecting recyclable materials and bringing them to accredited waste handlers for recovery and upcycling.

“With these periodic Recyclable Collection Events, we hope to be able to control or minimize the illegal disposal of solid, toxic and hazardous wastes in both the land and water bodies in the Freeport, and, thus, help secure the local environment for future generations, as well as for economic sustainability,” Eisma said.

Among the most common waste materials collected during the activity were busted fluorescent bulbs, used industrial and domestic oil, used lead acid batteries, empty printer ink cartridges, and other electronic wastes.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana said the activity is conducted in partnership with the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Customs in Subic, and various treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) companies in Manila and Central Luzon, which collect waste products.

During the 3rd RCE in November last year, the SBMA collected some P186,630 in waste products sold to TSD’s and the cash proceeds was donated to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.

SBMA Ecology Center records on the 3rd RCE indicated that the top donors of recyclable materials Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. (Phils.), which brought in P55,165 worth of recyclables; Hitachi Terminals, P12,588; Mega Subic Terminal Services, P10,539; and Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, with P10,530.

Dela Llana said the SBMA is expecting to surpass the previous RCE collection, as more locators and residents have committed to bring in waste materials for the 4th RCE.

She added that the enthusiastic participation of the Subic community will help ensure a healthy environment with clean rivers, mountains and other natural wonders that the public can enjoy.

The 4th Recyclable Collection Event was also highlighted by the re-launching of the anti-smoke belching program in the Subic Bay Freeport by transportation groups, and an art activity conducted by artist-environmentalist Badz  Magsumbol for Ayta children from the Cawag community in Subic, Zambales. (MPD-SBMA)

 PHOTOS:

[1] Workers sort out recyclable materials brought in by stakeholders during the 4th Recyclable Collection Event in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday.

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (5th from left) joins representatives of different transport groups in re-launching the anti-smoke belching program in the Subic Bay Freeport during the 4th Recyclable Collection Event on Friday. 

[3] Artist-environmentalist Badz Magsumbol teaches Ayta children from Barangay Cawag in Subic, Zambales on how to make decorative paper cut-outs from scrap paper and old magazines in an art workshop during the 4th Recyclable Collection Event in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday. 


/MPD-SBMA

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SBMA brings “plogging” to Subic to evoke environmental 'malasakit'

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is bringing to Subic a new way of boosting both human and nature’s health — “plogging.”

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said plogging, a new term that blends the English word “jogging” and the Swedish phrase “plocka upp” or pick up, started in Sweden and is now becoming popular in parts of Europe and the United States.

“Essentially, plogging is about doing your regular jogging routine, but you have to bring with you a trash bag where you can put all the litter you can pick up along the way,” Eisma explained.

She added that through its Ecology Center, the SBMA will be launching the first Subic Bay Plog Down — a combination of jogging, fun run and picking litter, on May 4 at the Boardwalk Events Center here in line with its “War On Waste” initiatives.

The event is open to public with ages seven years old and above.

Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana explained that Subic Bay Plog Down aims to promote plogging as an exercise that promotes endurance, muscle firmness and harmony, and to stimulate environmental understanding by encouraging communities to suggest solutions on reducing trash in the Freeport.

“Plog Down aims to evoke environmental malasakit by exposing nearby communities to Subic Bay Freeport clean-up,” Dela Llana said.

Under the Plog Down project, all registered participants would pick up trash along their chosen route:
within one hour for Route 1 which has a 2-kilometer distance, or one-and-half hour for Route 2 which has a 3-kilometer distance.

Trash placed in the sacks should only be those considered as litter under the No Littering Policy of the SBMA. All trash thus collected by individual participants will be weighed and recorded.

Dela Llana added that the Subic Bay Plog Down project is just one of the many environment-awareness programs that the SBMA Ecology Center has lined up under its War On Waste initiatives.

Coinciding with the Plog Down event, SBMA will be celebrating Earth Day 2018 in the Subic Bay Freeport with its international theme “End Plastic Pollution” through the conduct of the 4th Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), also on May 4 at the former Legenda Blue Building along the Boardwalk Area.

RCE is a semi-annual event that lets companies inside the Freeport dispose of everyday hazardous workplace wastes properly. Items brought to the event will be bought by accredited recyclers.

Some of the waste materials that can be submitted for collection during the event are laboratory chemicals, solvents, aerosols, batteries, fluorescent tubes, garage waste, household hazardous waste, oils, paints, pharmaceutical waste and photographic and printing waste.

The waste collectors would also accept electronic wastes such as busted washing machines, electric fans, and ovens.

Proceeds of the event will go to Lingkod Kapamilya Bantay Kalikasan ABS-CBN Foundation, which has community-based eco-tourism projects. Meanwhile, the PET bottles collected will be sent to the Tahanang Walang Hagdan. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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