Seeing the collection system as the backbone of a working solid waste program, BCCI has taken the lead and offered to take on the solid waste collection effort with the cooperation of the Local Government, the Department of Natural Resources and Provincial Enviroment and Natural Resource Office. Its aim is to impose the “no segregation, no collection” ordinance and impose penalties for non-compliance while improving the present collection system initially in the Barangay Manoc-manoc and Balabag. This operation is to be included in a Memorandum of Agreement to be entered into by the BCCI, the DENR and the municipal government of Malay. In exchange, the BCCI is to receive a fraction of the collection fees for partial financing of the program. Initially, the program shall be mostly financed by donations, grants and other income eventually generated from the collection and recycling of waste products.

It is projected that it will take 2 years for the program to become fully self-sustainable. Through the proper collection system, the Memorandum provides for the eventual closure of the present dumpsite, the creation of a transfer station for residual waste to Malay and the application of an organic waste management program in the community level. The Philippine Tourism Authority has provided the use of its Wastewater Treatment Facility Area as the location for a solid waste disposal program and eventually, a recycling facility.

top

Two million Pesos were awarded to the Boracay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, BCCI from the Canadian Government to create a functional and sustainable Material Recovery Centre (MRF). The project called for P4M, of which 50% will be provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), while the other 50% will come from the BCCI. The project is called “Eco-Education campaign and Material Recovery Facility project for the residents and tourism related establishments in Boracay Island, Philippines”.
This project is under Pearl 2 which stands for Private Enterprise Accelerated Resources Linkages. The mission of the project is to have stakeholders participate sound solid waste management, where the various stakeholders are active participants and agents and where waste is properly treated, recovered and recycled. The objectives of the project are for the island of Boracay in general to produce a reduced volume of solid waste, to increase the volume of recycling, for visitors and tourists to be aware and follow the environmental rules of the island, to strengthen the capabilities of BCCI to implement and sustain the project and to deliver services to its members. To reach those goals we have identified several activities within the project over a period of at least 24 months. The seven project activities are:

1.) The conduct of an eco-education campaign with all the stakeholders on the island in relation to the ecological sustainability for Boracay.
2.) The conduct of an information campaign for the stakeholders to understand the nature of the Pearl2 project in Boracay.
3.) The conduct of capability-building activities for BCCI aimed at strengthening capabilities to service the needs of BCCI’s area of responsibility
4.) The setting up and management of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) that will recycle and re-use the solid waste of the island to be supported by the no-segregation, no-collection rule.
5.) The production and dissemination of information materials about the attractions on Boracay and the ways and means by which both the guests and hosts can carry out ecologically sound practices in the conduct of business.
6.) Holding of an annual event for rewarding Boracay establishments considered having the best solid waste management system and advocacy for ecologically sound business practices.
7.) Holding of an annual event that promotes environmental awareness among students in Boracay schools such as protected species painting competition, product design competition using recycled materials, etc. The rationale for this component is that some students will most likely end up working for establishments in the island. Educated in their school years, they can become effective advocates of environmental protection and business practices, thus eventually becoming players of the overall campaign for SME development via ecological sustainability.
The Material Recovery Facility, MRF, will recycle and re-use the solid waste of the island. It will be supported by the no-segregation, no collection rule. At the MRF recyclables such as plastic, glass, aluminium and paper will be collected and sold. The biodegradable waste recovered will be turned into compost. The MRF becomes self sustainable within the period of 24 months of the project and will be sustained beyond that period through the revenues coming from recyclable and compostable materials. Proceeds of the revenue will be used for the self-sustained MRF and excess profit will be re-invested for expansion of the MRF.
The seven components of the project will be implemented within 24 months, while the MRF will continue functioning after the project ends. The eco-education campaign and the MRF project of BCCI are in full consonance and conformity with the DENR’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and with the Environmental Consent Agreement (ECONA). Presently all establishments are finalizing their own individual EMPs for review and approval by the DENR. BCCI’s project will contribute to the sustainability and viability of Boracay tourism. Almost all residents and their families earn their livelihood through tourism only. By preserving the island and helping in its sustainable development, the project will protect existing jobs, but also help create more jobs. Their income will in turn be brought back into the local and regional economy. The MRF project will, aside from preserving the island, create micro and small enterprises through the use of all recycled materials.
An initial study and feasibility study has already been done in the 3rd quarter of last year by BCCI.
The BCCI/Pearl2 project will be for all stakeholders and will benefit everyone from BCCI members, students, teachers, residents, LGU, NGO, government employees, tourism sector, etc.
Today, Boracay hosts a staggering statistics of tourism –related establishments, that renders the entire island vulnerable to environmental degradation that poses long-term risks not only to its natural endowments, but also to the very enterprises that capitalize on such endowments. The problem therefore is how to reduce the volume of solid waste generated. Hence, this project faces the challenge how to strengthen the LGU’s resolve and capability to enforce environmental laws to persuade permanent residents to reduce, re-use and recycle, require visitors to be more eco-responsible, impose strict compliance of the no-segregation/no-collection rule, educate local students about the importance of the environment and to tap the frontline tourism workforce (waiters, receptionists, entertainers, service crew, etc.) to become active agents of environmental awareness and education.

top

The major objective for this system is to eliminate landfills and traditional means of garbage disposal towards converting garbage to usable end products like building materials and fertilizers. Secondary objective is to provide means of livelihood for the community.

These are the two major components to this system –

1 Crusher Unit – a globally patented machine that will process all kinds of garbage. Its size depends on average daily garbage input with a “front end” feeding conveyor belt which receives garbage towards a “rear end” strainer/separator that segregates the different sizes of garbage from the “front end” as well as inorganic from organic materials. All garbage are crushed and shredded inside this Unit.

Estimated budget for crusher to handle at least ten (10) tons of daily garbage is P5 million.

2 Infrastructure – this is the tooling component of the system which transforms the crushed garbage into byproducts like hollow blocks and marine reef habitat restoration modules.
2.a Unloading Area, usually a ramp where a garbage truck unloads all garbage for transfer to the Crusher Unit
2.b Processing Area – this receives and contains all storage tanks for chemicals (neutralizing agents) and shredded waste. After being neutralized, waste goes thru a Mixing area for specific, predetermined additives. Additives will differ for organic and inorganic materials.
2.c Fabrication Area – Molds will be constructed initially for specific byproducts like hollow blocks and marine reef habitat restoration modules (commonly referred to as reef balls). In future, it is possible to add molds for low cost construction materials like slabs for fencing, planter boxes, concrete tiles for paths or walkways, garden benches and other low cost production materials. Organic waste is transformed to fertilizer products, land reclamation and restoration products. Estimated budget for Infrastructure is P5 million.

top

Karen V. Reina Project Chairperson
Philippe Bartholomi Project Compliance Director
Paul T. Henares Project Executive Director
Elena Brugger Project Team Director
John Munro Project Team Director
Stefanie Dornau Project Team Director
Arnold Solano Municipal Engineer, Malay
Delilah Maugeri DENR officer, Malay
Raul Lorilla Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (PENRO) officer