TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite (PIA) — The City Government of Trece Martires is advocating to expand the ‘Bote Plastic Palit Bigas’ program into a national law to highlight the environmental and community benefits of incentivized recycling.
With a strong local participation and positive environmental effects, Mayor Gemma Buendia-Lubigan expressed optimism that the community-based incentivized recycling program could serve as a model for higher levels of governance.
“Ang isang makabuluhang hakbang sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan ay maaaring magsimula sa ating sariling komunidad. Sa bisa ng City Ordinance No. 2017-267 o Ecological Solid Waste Management ordinance ng lungsod ng Trece Martires, patuloy nating isinasakatuparan ang Bote Palit Bigas Program—isang lokal na inisyatibo na iminumungkahi at nais ding maisulong sa mas mataas na antas upang maging isang ganap na batas na.”
Under the program, residents can exchange recyclable materials such as PET bottles, plastic wrappers, and sachets to free rice. The initiative aims to encourage proper waste segregation while providing relief for households.
Buendia-Lubigan noted that active community engagement is key in expanding environment conservation initiatives across the city.
“Ang inyong aktibong pakikilahok ay patunay na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagkilos, kaya nating pangalagaan ang ating kapaligiran.”
As the provincial capital, Trece Martires is among the pioneers of the waste-for-rice mechanism in Cavite. The local waste segregation drive mirrors similar initiatives introduced in neighboring towns including Magallanes, Silang, Amadeo, and Cavite’s fifth district which included Carmona City, Silang, and Gen. Mariano Alvarez. (PB-PIA CALABARZON, with reports from Mayor Gemma Buendia Lubigan)