Iloilo: The province of Iloilo has introduced its Weave Out Waste (WOW) 'Limpyo' (Clean) Iloilo program, part of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) PH Plastics Circularity Project. This initiative comes in response to the substantial volume of post-election waste collected during and after the May 2025 elections, which amounted to over 49,000 kilograms, with plastics comprising more than 50 percent of this waste.
According to Philippines News Agency, the program aims to enhance and consolidate existing projects such as Limpyo Election and Limpyo Iloilo, as stated by Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Cesar Emmanuel Buyco. Marginalized groups are receiving training in product design, prototyping, and upcycling techniques using materials like recovered tarpaulins and plastic waste.
The municipalities of Banate, Dumangas, Pototan, and Passi City have been selected as pilot sites for this initiative. The program's primary objective is to position Iloilo as a leader in the circular economy, with aspirations to extend this impact at a national level. The project is supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation and emphasizes that waste management should not only focus on reduction but also promote opportunities.
Dr. Selva Ramanchandran, UNDP Philippines resident representative, highlighted how the transformation of post-election plastic waste through the Limpyo Election 2025 initiative demonstrates the potential for waste to turn into marketable products and economic opportunities. The PH Plastics project supports the province's solid waste management strategy, fostering collaboration among local government units (LGUs) to address waste challenges, share resources, and exchange knowledge.
The UNDP plans to provide technical support, build market linkages, and strengthen systems for locally led circular solutions while maintaining the institutional capacity of LGUs. The project aims to enhance local waste management systems, integrate circular economy principles into policies, and promote sustainable business models that benefit the informal waste sector and disadvantaged groups. Additionally, it seeks to encourage behavioral changes to reduce plastic usage and improve collection.
The provincial government has earmarked a budget of PHP174.05 million for the program's implementation, which is expected to continue until 2027.
