BOTTLED water manufacturers are willing to work together to help the Cebu City Government get rid of plastic waste that can clog waterways and cause flooding during heavy rains.
This was the positive response of the officials of bottled water manufacturing companies during the meeting which Mayor Edgardo Labella called for on Oct. 21, 2020 at City Hall.
Nature’s Spring, Coca-Cola Philippines and Asia Brewery agreed to set up garbage bins in strategic locations so that people who flock in those areas can dispose of their waste properly.
Mario Maluenda, plant manager of Coca-Cola based in Mandaue City, said their company is ready and willing to partner with the city for this project.
“Our purpose here is to help the local government unit especially Cebu City to address the empty plastic bottle problem and educate the people not to throw their garbage anywhere,” said Maluenda.
He said their company also launched a project called “World Without Waste (WWW)” which was allotted P1 billion for the collection of three billion bottles for recycling.
Michael Embestro, national marketing manager of Nature’s Spring, also expressed his support for the city.
“As a bottled water leader in the market in the entire Philippines, we would want to assure the public that we are also doing our best to be part of the solution,” said Embestro.
He said in 2018, their company donated 100 receptacles and is planning to add more, depending on the quantity that the city needs to ensure proper disposal and segregation of trash.
In response, Labella said: I thank the manufacturers who responded to our call and have agreed to work together to help the City Government in putting up garbage bins in all strategic areas in the city. This is a showcase of their corporate social responsibility and because of this, people will not throw their garbage anywhere.”
Labella called the attention of plastic bottle manufacturers after it was found out that plastic water bottles made up 60 percent of the waste collected from drainages after floods hit parts of Cebu last week. (PAC / CCP)