The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) recently hosted the awarding ceremony for the “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! Barangay Contest” at the MMDA Arena. The event marked the culmination of a four-month initiative that encouraged barangays to actively collect and recycle the most clear PET plastic bottles, Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles (RGBs) and crates, as part of a broader effort to promote environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.

The Tapon to Ipon initiative, which integrates CCBPI’s “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” program with the MMDA’s Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF) project, has been instrumental in engaging communities in resource recovery and waste reduction. Twenty-one (21) barangays participated in the contest, which ran from April to July 31, 2024, with the top-performing barangays being recognized and rewarded for their efforts.

Each of the barangays exchanged clear PET bottles and Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles as well as small and big crates, with assigned equivalent points for Coca-Cola products.

Top Barangays and Impact on Community

The top barangays, which demonstrated exceptional commitment to the cause, were led by Barangay Pinagsama of Taguig City winning the top prize, Barangay Tejeros of Makati coming in at second place, and Barangay Bayanan of Muntinlupa City securing third place. Barangay Tatalon of Quezon City was honored as fourth place, and Barangay Batis of San Juan City claimed fifth place. Certificates of Participation were given to the remaining barangays who participated in the collaboration.

These barangays collectively contributed to the collection of over 10,000 kilograms of clear PET bottles, more than 480 pieces Coca-Cola crates, and over 16,000 pieces of Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles. The collected materials were then exchanged for Coca-Cola products, further incentivizing the residents to participate actively in the program. The goal is for all collected clear PET bottles to be brought to PETValue Philippines, the country’s pioneering bottle-to-bottle recycling facility, giving limitless lives by turning the bottles into new food-grade recycled PET (rPET) bottles.

The top three barangays were awarded significant funding to further support their sustainability initiatives, focused on waste recovery and recycling. These funds will be used for resources and materials to develop and implement programs that will continue to promote responsible waste management within their communities. The initiative not only highlights the importance of environmental stewardship but also empowers communities to take concrete steps towards sustainability.

Barangay Chairperson Hon. Maria Victoria Mortel-Balidoy of Brgy. Pinagsama, Taguig City, acknowledged the positive impact of the program on reducing waste in their waterways, saying, “While flooding remains a concern in our community, the Tapon to Ipon initiative has significantly reduced the accumulation of PET bottles and other recyclables in our waterways. Through this program, our residents have learned to see value in collecting these items for incentives, instead of disposing of them improperly. This has greatly lessened the amount of waste contributing to blockages. With continued efforts, we hope to further reduce flooding risks as we strengthen our waste management practices at the barangay level and spread awareness throughout the community. The key to lasting change is in creating a culture of recycling, and we are committed to making this a permanent part of our daily lives.”

Partnership for a Cleaner Future

“The Tapon to Ipon initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also empowers communities by showing them that small actions can lead to significant change. By participating in this program, barangays are not just contributing to a cleaner environment but also setting a positive example for other communities to follow. This is how we build a culture of sustainability, one bottle at a time,” said MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

MMDA Solid Waste Management Office Director Josias E. Syquimsiam Jr., emphasized the success of the initiative and how it paves the way for a more proactive community, saying “The Tapon to Ipon Barangay Contest has been a very successful initiative to promote collection of clear PET bottles and RGBs for recycling with the support of the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility of the MMDA. This Barangay Contest has shown us the power of community engagement in addressing the issue of plastic waste. By incentivizing recycling, we’ve been able to make a significant impact on waste reduction and foster a culture of environmental responsibility. We are confident that this is not the end of our initiative, but a start to an even cleaner Metro Manila.”

Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, VP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of CCBPI added, “This partnership with the MMDA is truly significant, as we strive to help clear our waterways to prevent flooding, especially during typhoons. Our collaboration perfectly aligns with our commitment to foster cleaner communities and a better future for all, by making collection and recycling systems more accessible. Getting over 20 barangays together to join and participate is really a big deal for us and we are very happy with the outcome of the collective effort of all the barangays. We are proud partners of the MMDA, and we look forward to continuing this engagement as a long-term initiative.”

Future Initiatives

The MMDA and CCBPI plan to build on the success of this initiative by expanding the Tapon to Ipon program to more barangays in Metro Manila. Future collaborations will include more sustainability-focused initiatives and community engagement activities aimed at reinforcing the importance of recycling and proper waste management.

The event closed with an awarding ceremony, photo opportunities, and a commitment from all stakeholders to continue working together to promote a cleaner and greener Metro Manila.