ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry Treñas is urging schools in the city to adopt proper waste management practices through its “TRASHkolekta: Basura ta, Manggad naton” program, which aims to turn waste into a source of income.
The initiative was formally introduced during the signing of the activity proposal at the Iloilo City Hall on March 24, 2025.
According to Maria Mathilde Treñas, special assistant to the mayor and the program’s proponent, the project seeks to reduce waste while raising awareness among students about the value of recyclable materials.
“It aims to facilitate the trading of discarded or recyclable materials collected in schools, contributing to waste reduction while providing a source of income,” Treñas said.
Students, teachers, non-teaching staff, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members will be the main beneficiaries of the program.
Participants can collect and exchange recyclable materials, including: cans, plastics, bottles, papers (crumpled or uncrumpled), cartons, scrap metals (light and solid) and brass, copper, pewter, lead, aluminum materials.
Income generated from the collected recyclables will be tracked through an Earth Keeper’s Passbook to ensure transparency and proper documentation.
The program will initially be rolled out in two secondary schools—Jaro National High School and Jalandoni Memorial National High School—and 13 primary schools, including Iloilo Central Elementary School, Judith Lazarraga Tiongco Memorial School, and Jalandoni Memorial Elementary School, among others.
Mayor Treñas, along with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, emphasized the importance of instilling environmental responsibility in students at an early age.
The initiative is supported by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), led by Janis Mae Sy, the City General Services Office, the Department of Education-Division of Iloilo City, and the Earth Keepers’ Club/City Federated Teacher-Parents Association.
Through “TRASHkolekta,” Iloilo City aims to reduce its environmental footprint while teaching the younger generation the value of sustainable practices and resource preservation.