Vargas files ‘Basura to Ayuda’ bill

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas on Tuesday filed a landmark bill that seeks to incentivize recycling of household waste.

Vargas said that House Bill No. 11146, or the Basura to Ayuda Act, aims to allow individuals, households, homeowners associations, and civic organizations to exchange their collected non-hazardous recyclable materials for cash aid or essential goods.

“Through this bill, we hit two birds with one stone. Pinapalakas natin ang kultura ng recycling at pangangalaga sa kalikasan, habang binibigyan natin ang ating mga kababayan ng pagkakataon na kumita mula sa kanilang mga basura,” Vargas said in a statement.

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(We strengthen the culture of recycling and environmental stewardship, while providing our fellow citizens with an opportunity to earn an income from their waste.)

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READ: QC solon files bill allowing recyclable trash to be exchanged for cash aid, goods

He explained that the participants may collect points, which they can redeem for food items, groceries, and cash: 1 kilogram (kg) of recyclable plastic may equate to 1 kg of commercial-quality rice or its cash equivalent, while 1 kg of metal waste can be exchanged to 2 kg of rice or the cash equivalent.

He said that the measure draws inspiration from Quezon City’s pioneer “Trash to Cashback” program, which was a success.

“Napatunayan na ng Quezon City na isa itong epektibong solusyon para sa solid waste management habang nagbibigay insentibo sa ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pagtulong linisin ang kapaligiran. Napapanahon nang gawin natin ito sa buong bansa para maprotektahan ang kalikasan,” he expressed.

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(Quezon City has proven that this is an effective solution for solid waste management, while also providing incentives to our fellow citizens for helping to clean the environment. It is high time we implement this nationwide to protect the environment.)

Surrendered recyclable waste, such as plastic bags and bottles, wrappers, sachets, and metal cans, will then be “systematically channeled back into productive economic use”, Vargas explained.

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Citing data of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the country produced about 61,000 metric tons of garbage daily.

The amount is equivalent to filling a 20-story building, he highlighted.

“Unmanaged waste continues to clog waterways, worsen flood risks, and increase greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

The DENR, together with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, is then tasked to establish standardized trade-in centers.

This will allow communities to maintain a consistent exchange rate, Vargas said.

A monetary reward will also be given to those who will report and help authorities to safely retrieve hazardous waste.

“Kailangan nating alagaan at protektahan ang ating kalikasan ngayon upang matiyak na makakapag-iwan tayo ng malinis, ligtas, at masiglang bansa para sa susunod na henerasyon,” he expressed.

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(We need to care for and protect our natural environment today to ensure that we can leave behind a clean, safe, and vibrant nation for the next generation.) /cb