The plastic-to-rice exchange project of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has kicked off in Barangay Mining on January 31, with 198 kilos of plastic exchanged by residents for 198 kilos of rice.
Dubbed as “Walang Plastikan — Plastik Palit Bigas Project,” Mayor Lazatin said the city government is collecting recyclable plastics from Angeleño households in exchange for rice. The redemption trucks will go to the 33 barangays via schedule to implement the project efficiently.
“Katumbas po ng isang kilong plastik ay isang kilo rin ng bigas,” Lazatin said.
“For now isang truck po ang umiikot, but eventually, we will deploy two. Para po mas maraming matulungan ang proyekto,” Lazatin added. “Our next stop will be in Barangay Tabun on Feb. 2 and Barangay Capaya on Feb. 3.”
The project is being supervised by Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas with Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, City Engineer Donato Dizon, Angeles City Economic Development Investment and Promotions Officer-in-Charge Irish Bonus-Llego, Angeles City Barangay Outreach Officer Michael Lising, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edna Duaso, City Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Archie Lazatin, and Angeles City Traffic Development Officer-in-Charge Francis Pangilinan.
While the city wants to persuade Angeleño households to practice waste segregation at source in their own homes, this program will also reduce if not eliminate the use of plastics.
The plastics collected will then be sold to companies recycling plastic for hollow blocks and cement, Lazatin says.
Alexis Almero, a teenager from Purok 7, has been waiting for the project to be undertaken to exchange the plastics he had collected, surprising his mother with the rice he will be receiving. Almero went home with 10 kilos of rice.
“My mom had no idea I had been collecting plastic so that I could join the project of the city and exchange them for rice. My mom will surely be happy with the 10 kilos of rice I will bring home,” Almero shared.
Redentor Lingat of Purok 5 also commended the program, saying it is beneficial especially to those who are struggling. Lingat received 7 kilos of rice from the plastic bottles he had collected and exchanged.
“When I heard of the project, I immediately went to exchange my collected plastics for rice. Instead of throwing them away, I cleaned them, had them exchanged and I was able to put food on the table,” Lingat said.
Marita Dimal, a laundrywoman from the same village agreed, after learning about the project.
“I received a 3 kilos of rice from the plastic I set aside while cleaning the house of my boss. I was able to save for today because of the program,” Dimal told.
