SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A plastics recycling project will soon benefit public schools in Zambales under a partnership between government agencies and a private recycling company.

The Ecology Center of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Zambales, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Zambales, and recycler Foochi Trading and Resources Inc. for the “Cash Cycled Project”, which aims to encourage resource sustainability among local schools and communities.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed last week, plastic bottles collected by government-run schools as well as nearby communities in Zambales will be sold to Foo Chi Trading to support school activities and environmental initiatives. 

Income generated from plastic bottle sales will then be deposited under a designated school fund account. This will be used solely for environmental projects, supplies, or student development programs, in accordance with DepEd’s financial policies and auditing rules and regulations. 

A joint monitoring team, composed of representatives from each signatory, will meet at least once every semester, or as often as needed, to evaluate project implementation, address any issue, and recommend improvements.

SBMA OIC Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory and Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana-Koval said the project is a significant milestone in local environmental and youth empowerment initiatives.

“It aims to foster collaboration between the project proponents and the academic communities in building sustainable environmental practices,” she explained.

The project agreement was signed by SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño,  DepEd Schools Division of Zambales superintendent Dr. William Roderick Fallorin, and  DTI Provincial Director Enrique Tacbad. 