Pansa-nopen Tayo: Baguio Circular Economy

01/09/2026

𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗗

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) participated in the Design Thinking for MSME Green Economy Transition and Product Development Workshop held on August 14, 2026 at a local venue in the Summer Capital.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), in partnership with SIGLAT-Youth Innovation Hub, the activity brought together entrepreneurs and stakeholders to discuss green economy principles, circular economy practices, innovation, design thinking, and sustainable product development.

In his message, Councilor Van Oliver Dicang recognized the important role of MSMEs in the local community and pointed out their contribution to employment, livelihood opportunities, and community development, making their continued growth important to the economic progress of Baguio and Benguet.

Meanwhile, DTI Assistant Regional Director of DTI-CAR Samuel Gallardo emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptability in today's business environment as he encouraged MSMEs to remain open to new ideas and approaches as they respond to changing consumer needs, market competition, and environmental challenges.

The workshop also focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset as Claire Dapuyen from Negosyo Center Baguio highlighted that the entrepreneurial mindset encourages business owners to identify problems, understand the needs of their customers, experiment with possible solutions, and continuously improve their products and services.

Another major topic was the green economy, which promotes economic development while reducing harm to the environment. For MSMEs, this can involve using resources efficiently, reducing waste, improving production processes, choosing sustainable materials, and developing environmentally responsible products.

Circular Economy Advocate Annie Marie B. Caguioa further discussed the concept of “From Waste to Value,” which highlighted how materials commonly considered waste can potentially be reused, repurposed, or transformed into useful products. This approach encourages businesses to rethink how they manage materials and find opportunities to reduce waste while creating additional value.

Ar. Dulthe Carlo M. Munar, a Baguio-based artist and Stefano Louis Solis, founder of Ecoverde, shared insights about innovation and the entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of creativity, problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous learning.

As MSMEs continue to grow and develop, embracing green economy principles, circular economy practices, innovation, and design thinking can help build businesses that are more sustainable, resilient, and competitive.

Through these efforts, local entrepreneurs can contribute not only to economic development but also to creating a more sustainable future for Baguio City, Benguet, and the wider community. - Gino Abulencia/PIO Baguio intern/gabykeith

31/08/2026

𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬'𝗦 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗗

Representatives from the City Administrator's Office, City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office, City General Services Office, Gender and Development Office, City Budget Office, City Treasurer's Office, and the City Tourism, Culture and Arts Office convened at the CPDSO Conference Room on August 26, 2026 to review the projects under the Pansa-nopen program of the European Union-Philippines Green Economy partnership under the United Nations Development Programme.

Led by Mr. Francis Capistrano, Circular Economy Financing Consultant and Local Government Unit and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist of the UNDP Dr. Marjorie Balay-as, the discussions tackled the status of several projects and respective plans, from concept to funding-- and whether they are feasible to be scaled across the entire city.

Across the next couple of days, the team will visit sites of major circular economy initiatives, such as Materials Recovery Facilities and Black Soldier Fly Facilities within the city as part of the assessment. - Kemm Olarte

27/08/2026

𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧

The City Government of Baguio through the City General Services Office (GSO), City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), and the City Tourism Office (CTO) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led by Local Government Unit and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist Dr. Marjorie Balay-as, together with Circular Economy Financing Consultant, Francis Capistrano conduct a site visit to major Circular Economy initiatives today, August 27, 2026.

Among the sites visited are the City's Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Facility at North Sanitary Camp, the Irisan Material Recovery Facility and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (MRF-TSD), and the Central MRF at Dontogan.

The visit is part of the European Union - Philippines Green Economy partnership under the UNDP assessing the city’s Pansa-nopen program and the feasibility of upscaling the investment in the facilities as they eventually cascade from the six Bida Barangays into the rest of the city.

Moreover, it also provided an opportunity to look for opportunities to connect these facilities with the City Tourism Office, strengthening the city’s Circular Tourism. Lastly, the visit helped gather updates on the current status and development of the facilities. - Mikee Ganotan/Kemm Olarte

📷: Mikee Ganotan

22/08/2026

𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗬𝗦
Baguio City is strengthening its push for sustainable food systems and organic waste management through the promotion of organic circularity at the community level.
During the 3rd Pansa-nopen Tayo Barangay-to-Barangay Learning Session held on July 31, 2026, at the DENR Training Centre in Gibraltar, Dr. Marjorie Balay-as, Local Government Unit and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussed the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership Framework for Organics Circularity.
Balay-as emphasized that building a circular economy begins within communities, with barangays playing a vital role in encouraging behavioral change and promoting sustainable organic waste management practices.
She said the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership aims to achieve three major goals by 2028: reducing waste generation, creating green jobs, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, while focusing on three priority areas: plastic circularity, green tourism, and organics circularity, which is also referred to as promoting circular food systems.
“Because in organic circularity, it’s not really just about composting. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa composting. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa black soldier fly facility,” Balay-as said.
She explained that organic circularity involves looking at the entire food systems value chain, from production to consumption, to address food waste and bio-waste more effectively.
Balay-as outlined several actions that can help promote circular food systems.
In the first part, which is food production, she said that circular economy principles should already be integrated. She cited Happy Hallow’s regenerative farming practice, where coffee beans are planted alongside bananas, pumpkins, and peanuts to maximize land use and biodiversity.
For distribution and aggregation, she stressed the importance of bringing produce from farmers to markets such as the Baguio City Public Market.
In food processing, she highlighted Baguio’s farm-to-table supply chain initiatives that connect farmers directly with business establishments. She cited the partnership between barangay farmers and Newtown Plaza Hotel, which sources coffee from Barangay Happy Hallow and vegetables from other barangays in the city.
Balay-as also encouraged establishments to strengthen the implementation of no-leftover policies to further reduce food waste, emphasizing that this is one factor that contributes to food waste in the country.
She then described how Baguio’s Black Soldier Fly (BSF) facility supports the closing of the organic waste loop. Food waste generated by establishments such as Newtown Plaza Hotel is processed through the BSF facility and converted into organic fertilizer, which is then returned to farmers for use in agricultural production.
According to Balay-as, this circular process creates a closed-loop system that addresses food production, consumption, and waste management simultaneously.
She added that such an approach can help build a more resilient and sustainable food system for Baguio City while advancing the city’s broader circular economy and environmental goals. - Mikee A. Ganotan

𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖 𝗖𝗜𝗥𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗬𝗦

Baguio City is strengthening its push for sustainable food systems and organic waste management through the promotion of organic circularity at the community level.

During the 3rd Pansa-nopen Tayo Barangay-to-Barangay Learning Session held on July 31, 2026, at the DENR Training Centre in Gibraltar, Dr. Marjorie Balay-as, Local Government Unit and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), discussed the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership Framework for Organics Circularity.

Balay-as emphasized that building a circular economy begins within communities, with barangays playing a vital role in encouraging behavioral change and promoting sustainable organic waste management practices.

She said the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership aims to achieve three major goals by 2028: reducing waste generation, creating green jobs, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, while focusing on three priority areas: plastic circularity, green tourism, and organics circularity, which is also referred to as promoting circular food systems.

“Because in organic circularity, it’s not really just about composting. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa composting. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa black soldier fly facility,” Balay-as said.

She explained that organic circularity involves looking at the entire food systems value chain, from production to consumption, to address food waste and bio-waste more effectively.

Balay-as outlined several actions that can help promote circular food systems.
In the first part, which is food production, she said that circular economy principles should already be integrated. She cited Happy Hallow’s regenerative farming practice, where coffee beans are planted alongside bananas, pumpkins, and peanuts to maximize land use and biodiversity.

For distribution and aggregation, she stressed the importance of bringing produce from farmers to markets such as the Baguio City Public Market.

In food processing, she highlighted Baguio’s farm-to-table supply chain initiatives that connect farmers directly with business establishments. She cited the partnership between barangay farmers and Newtown Plaza Hotel, which sources coffee from Barangay Happy Hallow and vegetables from other barangays in the city.

Balay-as also encouraged establishments to strengthen the implementation of no-leftover policies to further reduce food waste, emphasizing that this is one factor that contributes to food waste in the country.

She then described how Baguio’s Black Soldier Fly (BSF) facility supports the closing of the organic waste loop. Food waste generated by establishments such as Newtown Plaza Hotel is processed through the BSF facility and converted into organic fertilizer, which is then returned to farmers for use in agricultural production.

According to Balay-as, this circular process creates a closed-loop system that addresses food production, consumption, and waste management simultaneously.
She added that such an approach can help build a more resilient and sustainable food system for Baguio City while advancing the city’s broader circular economy and environmental goals. - Mikee A. Ganotan

22/08/2026

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗔-𝗡𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗘𝗖𝘀 | Isinusulong ng lungsod ang mas istriktong segregation ng mga basura at pangongolekta sa anim na BIDA Barangay sa ilalim ng Pansa-nopen Tayo program; Bagong schedule para sa collection ng residual, food, at recyclable waste, inoorganisa.

Ulat ni Kemm Olarte |

22/08/2026

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗔-𝗡𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗢 | 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥
Kahit basura ay may halaga pa rin kung alam natin kung paano ito ma-recover.
Sama-sama nating bigyan ng panibagong buhay ang ating mga resources para sa mas malinis at mas circular na kinabukasan.

🎨 William Malitao Jr. (UC-PIO intern)

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗔-𝗡𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗢 | 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥

Kahit basura ay may halaga pa rin kung alam natin kung paano ito ma-recover.

Sama-sama nating bigyan ng panibagong buhay ang ating mga resources para sa mas malinis at mas circular na kinabukasan.



🎨 William Malitao Jr. (UC-PIO intern)

22/08/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗬𝗦
The six Bida Barangays, specifically Irisan, Guisad Central, Gibraltar, Bakakeng Central, Dominican-Mirador, and Happy Hallow, will implement the new garbage collection schedule starting tomorrow, August 22, 2026.
Residents are reminded to segregate their waste at home before collection, as the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy will be strictly implemented.
For other barangays, the usual garbage collection schedules will remain in effect.

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗗𝗔 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗬𝗦

The six Bida Barangays, specifically Irisan, Guisad Central, Gibraltar, Bakakeng Central, Dominican-Mirador, and Happy Hallow, will implement the new garbage collection schedule starting tomorrow, August 22, 2026.

Residents are reminded to segregate their waste at home before collection, as the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy will be strictly implemented.

For other barangays, the usual garbage collection schedules will remain in effect.

22/08/2026

𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has directed the strict implementation of consistent garbage segregation and collection, to be piloted in Barangay Gibraltar on Saturday, Aug. 22, followed by barangays Dominican-Mirador, Irisan, Guisad Central, Happy Hallow, and Bakakeng starting Aug. 24.

As discussed during a meeting on Aug. 13 with the punong barangays of the six pilot barangays; City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) head Archt. Donna Tabangin, General Services Office (GSO) Acting head Margie Della, and representatives from different concerned offices, including Dr. Marjorie Balay-as, Local Government Unit (LGU) and stakeholder engagement specialist of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this is part of the city’s Pansa-nopen program.

There is a need to strategize and incentivize garbage segregation and collection for sustainability in the barangays, it was learned. This was echoed by CPDSO head Archt. Tabangin, saying the barangays generate varied wastes. Barangays in the central business district may have more recyclables for sale back to the packaging/manufacturers or through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), while barangays in the outskirts may organize composting areas, with produce such as organic food for the market.

“There must be a product generated for sustainability,” City Veterinarian and Agriculture Office (CVAO) head Dr. Silardo Bested said.

A direct connection between recyclable collector barangays and obliged enterprises for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is preferred for the benefit of barangay collectors and even informal waste pickers.

A reminder was given, however, that recyclables have to be dry and clean, as wet and dirty recyclables have lower value, Archt. Tabangin emphasized. As to waste diversion tracking from ASM, there were 735,082 kgs. collected, with 51,560 kgs. sold, Tabangin presented.

Separate containers are also needed for residuals, food waste for the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), and green wastes or compostables. Different collection schedules shall also be observed.

Informal waste pickers need to be organized and empowered, UNDP representative Balay-as said, which shall be piloted through Barangay Happy Hallow.

Aside from those discussed, an intensified Information and Education Campaign (IEC) should be conducted in the barangays, with a barangay ordinance also needed.

To address the gaps in collection, a step-by-step and day-to-day operation of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) through a manual shall be implemented, Tabangin said. MRF operations should not be intermittent, and a coordinator is needed, Tabangin added.

The following steps for day-to-day MRF operations from the manual shall be used and read together with the barangay Pansa-nopen Tayo Ordinance, Republic Act 9003 and other national laws, the duly enacted Pansa-nopen Tayo Circular Economy Ordinance of the City Government, and applicable city policies and guidelines:

1. Waste is segregated at source by households and establishments, and recyclables are kept clean, dry, and separate. Plastic recyclables are prepared for collection.
2. At the designated collection point, clean recyclable plastics are collected and loaded into the donated UNDP vehicle. The materials are then brought to the Barangay MRF for consolidation.
3. Recyclables are properly sorted, stored, and labeled by type. After sorting, the Barangay MRF must be clean, organized, and well-maintained.
4. The barangay or GSO Baguio transports the plastic recyclables from the Barangay MRF to Irisan Ecopark, where they are consolidated and processed.
5. Plastic recyclables are consolidated at Irisan Ecopark, where they are sorted, baled, and prepared for the next stage of transport.
6. Baled plastics are weighed and recorded by type of recyclable and source barangay. Delivery turn-over records are prepared for transport. Proper documentation is needed as it ensures accountability and traceability.
7. Baled plastics are loaded into Coca-Cola trucks, and from Irisan Ecopark, the shipment is delivered to the Coca-Cola warehouse in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Documents accompany the shipment for proper monitoring.
8. The recyclables are picked up for final transport to the PET value recycling plant in General Trias, Cavite. Delivery records and receiving documents are completed upon turn-over.
9. Payment to the source barangay is made through bank transfer based on the verified quantity delivered. Payment records are kept for transparency, accountability, and monitoring. - jgfianza