TWO barangays in Toledo City, Cebu Province are turning plastic pollution into an opportunity for community upliftment through a grassroots waste-to-resource program that exchanges trash for rice.
Under the “Basura Mo, Bigas Ko” (Your Trash, My Rice) initiative, residents of Barangays Cabitoonan and Bato can trade two kilograms of plastic waste for one kilogram of rice.
The program, launched in 2021, aims to tackle both solid waste management and food insecurity, particularly among low-income households.
“We saw how unmanaged plastic waste was becoming a major issue in our barangay. At first, there was hesitancy, but people soon realized that their garbage could literally be converted into food. That was a game-changer,” said Barangay Cabitoonan Captain Gerardo Malazarte.
The program is partly funded by the barangay’s P50,000 annual allocation from its Solid Waste Management Fund. However, as demand grows, support from the private sector has been crucial to sustaining the rice incentives.
Among the key supporters is Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI), a subsidiary of AboitizPower, which now donates rice quarterly to both barangays.
“We saw the program’s sustainability and grassroots impact. It was initiated by the community, so we felt it was worth supporting—especially if the only barrier to its continuity was funding for rice,” said Emalyn Sevilla, TVI’s environmental supervisor.
As of the second quarter of 2025, the program had collected over 33,000 kilograms of plastic waste, highlighting its environmental and behavioral impact. Residents said the program has not only eased food expenses but also promoted better waste segregation at home.
“This has been a big help to families like mine who struggle to make ends meet,” said local resident Rufino Pahaganas.
Captain Malazarte added, “People have become more mindful. They now keep plastic waste separately, knowing it has value.”
The program stands as a compelling model for how circular economy principles, when driven by communities and supported by both public and private sectors can deliver long-term social and environmental benefits. / KOC