In celebration of Earth Month, the ABS-CBN Foundation supports the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s (SBMA) initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, alongside its residence and locators, for a carbon-neutral economic zone in the Philippines. With the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” SBMA has managed to promote and empower its stakeholders to take responsibility over what matters most—the environment. This has been done through various means, such as reducing plastic pollution from single-use plastics, helping them segregate recyclables and hazardous waste, and educating them about proper waste disposal.
The 5-day event includes various activations such as the Refill Revolution (April 21-25), Sustainable Products and Technology Showcase (April 21-23), Tapat Ko, Linis Ko at Pagagandahin Ko, an SBF-wide clean-up activity (April 23), Trash for Rice (April 23), and the Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Caravan (April 23-24). One of the event highlights was the 16th recyclables collection event held last April 23, 2025. Yearly, this initiative aims to manage used batteries, untreated oil, and other recyclable waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Doing so minimizes the environmental impact and ensures that any recoverable value from these materials is donated to a charity or foundation selected by SBMA. This effort brings hope for a more sustainable future.
“The recyclables collection event is important, which is why we do this twice a year. We are dreaming that in 2030, we will reduce our carbon footprint by 30%, and we hope that the Subic Bay Freeport Zone will be carbon-neutral by 2040. In the last 8 years, we have chosen the ABS-CBN Foundation as one of our chosen beneficiaries of this initiative because we believe in your program. Regardless of how much we can donate, the ABS-CBN foundation has found ways to use the proceeds effectively and efficiently – and we are proud that we have come to be a part of your advocacy.” said Amethya Koval, Department Manager III of the SBMA Ecology Center.
In attendance to support the event were the SBMA Chairman and Administrator, Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Alino; representatives of the Bureau of Customs, District Collector Atty. Marlon Fritz B. Broto; DENR-EMB Region 3 Officer-in-charge and Regional Director, Engr. Geri-Geronimo R. Sanez; and Subic Water & Sewerage Co. Inc. Head of Corporate Communications, David R. Reyes. Joechem Environmental Corp., ADL Envirotechnology Inc., and Foo Chi Trading & Resources Inc. were also in attendance as the official partner transporters/recyclers of SBMA.
“Since 1998, Bantay Kalikasan has launched several projects, initiatives, and advocacy campaigns, including those that target the awareness of proper waste disposal, solid waste management, and proper recycling of used oil and lead batteries. Hence, we are pleased to collaborate and partner with SBMA, which shares the same vision, advocacy, and passion towards protecting and preserving the environment,” Sara Agcaoli, ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Kalikasan’s Program Head, expressed.
The partnership between the ABS-CBN Foundation and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is a testament to our collective commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral future. One of the beneficiaries of this collaboration will be ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan, which supports various environmental advocacies and projects. With a shared vision for a greener and healthier environment, the ABS-CBN Foundation and SBMA are dedicated to promoting social and environmental responsibility. They aim to set a positive example for local government agencies and invite everyone to participate in creating a more sustainable and greener future.
To learn more about Bantay Kalikasan’s Bantay Baterya and Bantay Langis initiative, visit our official website https://www.abs-cbnfoundation.org/environment-programs/?ao=environmentprograms&ai=3#environmentprograms