INDEED, small steps can really make big things happen.
This aphorism was again proven by the Bulata National High School (BNHS) at Barangay Bulata in Cauayan town as its zero-waste initiative has started sparking a positive transformation and strong synergy towards a greener environment.
In the bid to promote a plastic-free culture in the community, the southern Negros Occidental school opened its “Wala Usik” Canteen simultaneous with the start of classes and celebration of World Environment Day and World Oceans Day earlier this month.
“Wala Usik” is a Hiligaynon phrase which means zero-waste or nothing is wasted.
The concept of the project is using only what is biodegradable, indigenous and reusable such as mugs made from bamboo, bowls from coconut shells and plates from banana leaves.
Just weeks after it started catering to 463 students and teachers, the project has gained grounds and stimulated positive change in the locality as well as in other areas in the province.
Beginnings
Growing up in the neighboring barangay of Poblacion, still in Cauayan town, principal Eiggy Duller Yap has recognized that natural resources are under threat of plastic pollution.
Yap, who was just assigned at BNHS this year, said plastic was a problem even just within the school premises before.
Leading the transition of their canteen, he has gained inspiration to do the project after he attended the Danjugan Island’s Marine and Wildlife Camp last summer.
Yap, an educator for nine years now, said single-use plastic is often mismanaged and causes problems to the environment as well as public health among schools nationwide.
“Why not adopt this model and reduce plastic waste at source at the same time promote what’s local,” Yap said, adding that “imagine if all school canteens in the Philippines become zero-waste.”
He told SunStar Bacolod that “the source of plastic in the school is the canteen because of candies and other products using plastic packaging. So why not go back to the old ways by using bamboo mugs and coco shells.”
Curbing plastic
The school head was further inspired by the “Wala Usik” Sari-Sari Store, an initiative of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PRRCFI) through its Sweep: Sea Waste Education to Eradicate Plastic program.
Launched in the said barangay in April this year, there are already eight “Wala Usik” Sari-Sari Stores operating in Negros island.
All these stores are partners of PRRCFI, the non-government organization (NGO) behind the Danjugan Island, and funded through USAID’s Municipal Waste Recycling Program.
The effort is also seen to curb plastic wastes that harm food source and life support when they reach the ocean.
Dave Albao, executive director of PRRCFI, said they are honored to be a long-time partner of BNHS since conservation work involves experiential learning and community engagement.
Albao said if more communities become conscious of how their waste is managed, they will see that the priority is how to reduce waste at the first place, especially plastic that threatens all forms of life.
“We respond to requests and invitations for trainings and workshops in schools. But in terms of implementation, we will prioritize the schools with the principals or leaders who are really committed,” he added.
The Philippines is considered the center of marine biodiversity.
It is an irony, however, that the country ranks third in terms of the volume of plastic wastes thrown based on the data reported by an international ocean conservancy group.
In a five-year trash audit released by environment group Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) earlier this year, more than 200 million plastic sachets, bags and diapers are being thrown by Filipinos every day. The biggest pollutant is the single-used plastic.
In Negros Occidental alone, the Provincial Environment Management Office (Pemo) has yet to consolidate the collected plastic wastes through different cleanup activities it has undertaken with various partner-NGOs, local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGAs).
Though, it observed that “there is really a problem when it comes to garbage, especially plastic in the seas as well as other bodies of water that needs to be addressed in the province.”
Ma. Elena San Jose, technical support services head of Pemo, said while the awareness of the public on plastic pollution has to be strengthened, there is also a need for the LGUs to intensify its implementation of laws and ordinances pertaining to environment protection.
“There’s a need to instill discipline both in the community and law enforcers,” she said, adding that “this is a constant challenge that we need to keep addressing.”
Initial gains, values formation
At BNHS, discipline is starting to be evident as a cleaner school community already emerged just weeks after the plastic-free initiative commenced through its “Wala Usik” Canteen.
The principal said it is surprising to note that, now, every after recess, no more plastics are loitering inside the school.
For Yap, this reflects a more important initial gains of the project -- the values formation among the school children.
“It has encouraged our students to be more responsible stewards of the environment,” Yap said.
He added that “a single action of not using plastic would mean that they have developed a heart that cares for the nature and a mind that thinks of their future and those of incoming generations.”
The principal expressed optimism that their students would also stir influence to other members of their family.
Grade 12 student Sheina Parnoncillon said though they were initially “surprised” by the transition of their canteen, the students positively welcomed the project.
Parnoncillon, who is the Supreme Student Government (SSG) president of the school, said the “Wala Usik” Canteen has spurred unity and cooperation among the students.
“We are so involved in the project. Everybody is helping like in making the utensils for the canteen,” she said, adding that “we, the youth, have to act now before it gets too late.”
The SSG president recognized that most of the students of BNHS are from marginalized families whose livelihood is dependent on seas --- fishing.
“So we have to protect the source of what we eat, our parents’ means of sending us to school by doing our share to eliminate plastic not only in school but also in our respective homes,” the student stressed.
Promoting local products
The “Wala Usik” Canteen of BNHS also features walls painted with colorful marine life with the theme “More Fish, Not Plastic” by volunteers from the Association of Negros Artists (ANA).
The wall pays homage to the rich biodiversity of Cauayan waters and the Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Sanctuaries.
Aside from this physical feature, the canteen also aims to promote healthy eating from fresh and local produce and food like aroz caldo, lugaw, homemade bread and siopao, suman, puto, fruits and root crops, among others.
It will avoid and discourage processed or manufactured food packaged in single-use plastic.
Managed by the school’s Teachers’ League Association, the canteen will also be used for school-based feeding program.
Yap said part of the goal to become a model-school for its “Wala Usik” Canteen is also to entice students to eat healthy food instead of non-nutritious ones like junk foods.
Ensuring food safety
As the school promotes health among the students, the principal said they are also making sure that utensils being used in the canteen are safe from bacterial contamination.
Yap said the teacher-members of the cooperative are following research-based “steps” on how to clean the utensils and materials.
But in order to further ensure food safety, he has tapped the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Western Visayas, through the Danjugan Island, for the conduct of training for teachers and parents.
“Fortunately, the agency has responded. It will conduct a proper food safety training in the school this July,” Yap added.
Sustainability, livelihood
Like any other endeavor, the school recognizes the need to ensure sustainability of the project.
Thus, it is forging a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with suppliers of bamboos and coconut shells in the locality.
Yap said they cannot just rely on donations so under the agreement, the school will partner with local farmers or associations from whom it can purchase the materials at an affordable price.
BNHS is also utilizing its old canteen to be converted to “Wala Usik” Shop which will serve as production area for bamboo mugs, coco bowls and other biodegradable utensils.
Students will still be engaged in making the materials but with the parents this time, Yap said.
They are eyeing a separate MOA with a cooperative in the barangay for another project called “Wala Usik” Souvenirs using the excess raw materials and residues from the shop.
The project will venture virgin coconut oil and soap making which is a potential source of alternative income for the students and their parents.
“We are looking at tapping other groups and agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry for trainings and other interventions that would help us ensure sustainability of the project,” the principal said.
Benchmark, replication
Technology has been instrumental in gaining interest and attention for the school’s plastic-free canteen.
The “Wala Usik” Canteen significantly created an online presence through shared stories, news articles and social media posts.
It has captured the attention of the Negrenses and resulted in inquiries from various groups and organizations in the province.
At least 10 schools in Negros Occidental, mostly in Cauayan town, already expressed interest to benchmark with BNHS and replicate the project in their respective schools.
Yap said they scheduled visits and benchmarking activities in October this year for the other schools to see and learn the practices in the canteen.
“We want to share the idea so that it will create more rippling effects not only in Barangay Bulata but also to the entire Cauayan community as well as in the province,” he added.
Synergy
The school’s initiative has also ignited synergy among other members of the community including the barangay council.
Village Chairman Antonio Galon, who personally visited the school last week, said the barangay was elated of the “Wala Usik” Canteen of BNHS.
Galon said the zero-waste canteen initiative will contribute a lot in minimizing plastic wastes at the barangay with a population of about 6,000 residents.
“Though it’s hard to immediately eradicate plastic in our barangay since there are many sari-sari stores here, the school canteen is a boon to the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act,” he added.
On June 21, Bulata along with 24 other barangays of Cuayan joined the cleanup activity in coastal areas including creek, river and those along the highway.
Inspired by the “Wala Usik” Canteen project, the Barangay Council of Bulata will institutionalize the conduct of a regular cleanup activity in the barangay every month.
Galon said they will involve BNHS and two other schools namely Bulata Elementary School and Sialay Elementary School, sectoral groups, people’s organizations (POs), and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
Galon said the council will also discuss the possibility of coming up with a resolution for the implementation of a plastic holiday in the barangay or an ordinance declaring Bulata as plastic-free.
“We are happy that BNHS has put more emphasis to this zero-waste and plastic-free causes,” he said, adding that they are upbeat that it will continue to spark synergy among the residents and other stakeholders of the community.
Advocacy
For his part, Mayor Johnrey Tabujara said the “Wala Usik” Canteen has set as good example for other schools, in all levels, to follow.
Tabujara said the municipal government has been giving importance to environment protection and conservation.
In fact, it is a recipient of this year’s Seal of Good Environmental Governance Gold Award from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
“The zero-waste canteen is really beneficial especially to the students thus, the local government and the Department of Education (DepEd) are supporting such project,” he said.
For the local government, the small initiative of BNHS is actually a huge advocacy especially in terms of proper solid waste management in the locality.
“It’s good that a school is advocating for environment protection and conservation particularly addressing plastic pollution,” the mayor said.
Bayanihan spirit
The principal has been seeking additional support from stakeholders to make the school canteen fully operational.
They need more chairs, tables and other equipment for the one classroom-sized canteen.
Weeks after its launch, the bayanihan spirit, a core essence of Filipino culture, was also felt as help for the canteen started to pour in.
Yap said a number of organizations already pledged to give financial assistance as well as equipment like chairs.
“Some will also help by buying our bamboo mugs and coconut shells,” he added.
For its part, the barangay council vowed to shoulder the repair of the canteen’s ceiling.
Tabujara, meanwhile, said the municipal government will also provide financial and technical assistance as well as logistics to the school.
Sustainable tourism
For Cauayanons, what makes the “Wala Usik” Canteen a more significant school project is being aligned with the town’s sustainable tourism development goal.
Known for its at least 15 beach resorts and two marine reserve and sanctuaries including the Hulao-Hulao Seascape, the tourism industry of the southern Negros locality is getting boost through the zero-waste initiative of BNHS.
Mark Oliver Canobis, municipal tourism officer, said the plastic-free canteen of the school really impacts positively the drive to make Cauayan a sustainable tourism destination.
Canobis said it has heightened the awareness of the community especially owners of resorts and other tourism establishments on environment protection and conservation through one, addressing plastic pollution.
“We are happy to have BNHS, and eventually more schools, as our partner in achieving sustainable tourism development,” he said, adding that they are meeting with DepEd district supervisors next week to further promote the “Wala Usik” Canteen.
Records of the Municipal Tourism Office showed that the town caters to an average of about 3,000 a month especially during peak season.
Two of its beach resorts are class “AA” which can cater to international tourists. These are the Bulata Beach Resort and Danjugan Island.
Canobis said most of the foreign tourists are environmentally conscious thus, the
zero-waste initiative will surely help attract more visitors.
“It is actually a wake-up call for us, for the community, to also do our share in protecting our natural resources as the future of our tourism sector greatly relies on its sustainability,” he added.
Looking forward
As the school looks forward for a plastic-free and greener environment through its “Wala Usik” Canteen, it will continue to undertake various programs and projects.
The principal said they are converting an old school facility to a fertilizer production area using the biodegradable garbage from the canteen like the leaves used as packaging.
Yap said they are grateful for the attention given to the school, hoping that this will translate to more support and cooperation from the community.
But above all, Yap is optimistic that their small efforts on making the “Wala Usik” Canteen a reality will continue to spur positive transformation and strong synergy among stakeholders.
“We are proud that in our little ways, we are able to stimulate change and make big things happen,” he said, adding that “we hope that this inspires Filipinos to grow an undying care for the environment -- our only home.”