SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Center won the “Best Ecological Solid Waste Management Practices” award during the Environmental Summit 2025 held at Widus Hotel, Clark, Pampanga on August 29.

With the theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution,” the summit was organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Central Luzon to honor defenders of environmental protection and innovators in sustainable solutions.

Ecology Center officer-in-charge Rossell Abuyo said the award recognized the commitment and dedication of the department’s “outstanding solid waste enforcement and implementation in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.”

She said the center’s Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), which is held semi-annually, left a mark that pushed SBMA’s citation for having the best ecological solid waste management practices.

Abuyo explained that in the week-long 16th RCE, the Ecology Center collected various hazardous wastes like used oil, electronics and electrical wastes, used lead acid batteries, oily water, used cooking oil, oil-contaminated materials, busted fluorescent and LED bulbs, expired medicine, sharps, and contaminated containers. 

Some of the recyclables collected during the said event included used papers, cartons, PET bottles, plastic materials, used slippers, tin cans, aluminum, copper, and other metals.

The recyclables collected by 142 donors, including SBMA Departments, SBF companies, and residents, reached 10,669.74 kilograms, Abuyo said.

The Ecology Center also conducts recyclables collection in the Subic Bay Freeport on Saturdays starting in July last year, targeting SBF residents from the Binictican, Kalayaan, and Cubi housing areas. 

“Efficient management of our solid waste will also serve as our adaptation strategy to help combat climate change. Championing waste management is one of the pillars to achieve our goal for a carbon-neutral Subic Bay Freeport,” Abuyo said. 

PHOTO: 

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Amethya Dela Llana receives the trophy for Best Ecological Solid Waste Management Practices with Ecology Center OIC Rossell Abuyo.