ORMOC CITY – To encourage the youth to be advocates for sustainable living and circularity, a Batang Idol sa Environmental Development Action at Circular Economy (BIDA-CE) Project was successfully carried out and launched in this city on August 12, 2025.
The said project was realized through the support of the European Union and the Philippines (EU-PH) Green Economy Partnerships, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Philippines, in collaboration with the local government unit of Ormoc.
The BIDA-CE project, accordingly, is a component of the larger support provided to the Ormoc City Government in expanding its portfolio of circular economy initiatives, reinforcing the city’s dedication to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future by encouraging youth to take on the role of environmental stewards through recycling, appropriate waste segregation, and other eco-friendly behaviors.
As part of the said activity, five schools in this city participated in collecting clean plastic bottles, wherein the number of bottles collected determined which items the schools received, as each item corresponds to a specific number of bottles collected.
School participants included the City College of Ormoc (CCO), Mas-in Integrated School, St. Peter’s College of Ormoc, Ipil Central School, and the New Ormoc City National High School. Prizes given were tablets, school bags, portable speakers, umbrellas, tumblers, clip fans, desk lamps, study tables, bath towels, shelves, and food keeper sets.
The activity was graced by Sangguniang Panlungsod Members (SPM) Lalaine Marcos, Caren Torres Rama, Ari Larrazabal, Edmund Kierulf, Tommy Serafica, Burt Pades, and Kia Mercadal. Present as well were DENR-EMB Region 8 Solid Waste Management Section Chief Reggie Urmeneta; Department of Education (DepEd)-Ormoc Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Carmelino Bernadas; UNDP EU PH Green Economy Partnership Project Analyst Clariza Denise Ablaza; OIC-ENRO Ingrid Macabare; and LGU and Stakeholder Engagement UNDP Leah Payud. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail AUGUST 11-17, 2025 issue)
