CITY of Cagayan de Oro recently launched the 3Rs pilot projects as part of the UN Habitat’s Healthy Oceans Clean Cities Initiative (HOCCI) in collaboration with the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO).
“The main goal of these projects is to reduce waste in the city and promote a cleaner environment,” said Shiela Lumbatan, Chief of Staff at the City Mayor’s Office.
Cagayan de Oro was selected as a pilot area by UN-Habitat, and the beneficiaries of this initiative are members of the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Cooperative, who were previously scavengers in the now closed ‘open dumpsite’ in Upper Dagong, Barangay Carmen.
This project aims to improve their livelihoods and provide better waste management solutions, according to Lumbatan.
During the project launch, EnP Elvisa Mabelin, Assistant Department Manager of CLENRO, explained their plans to enhance the skills and capabilities of the MRF Cooperative members through support from CLENRO, UN Habitat-HOCCI, and other stakeholders.
The support includes expanding livelihood programs and upgrading the central material recovery facility by providing a closed-process plastic densifier machine.
“It’s important to note that Cagayan de Oro is the first city in the country and one of the few in the ASEAN region to develop a City Plan of Action on Marine Litter (CPOA-ML),” emphasized Lumbatan, highlighting the city’s commitment to localizing the Philippines National Plan of Action on Marine Litter.
Additionally, in 2021, Cagayan de Oro gained international recognition for creating the “Global Waste Wise Cities and Waste Flow Diagram tools with remote support.”
The launch involved the participation of officials from Barangays 1-40 in the city, as stated by Lumbatan.
Overall, the 3Rs pilot projects in Cagayan de Oro, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and CLENRO, aim to improve waste management practices and uplift the livelihoods of those involved in the MRF Cooperative.
“The city’s dedication to combating marine litter and its innovative waste management tools have positioned it as a leader not only in the country but also globally,” explained Lumbatan.
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