CAPTION: GMEC and GNPD RSM Manager Joseph Paolo Mendoza shows some of the final products made during Project Saysay’s “Waste to Material” training session.
MARIVELES, Bataan – Fifty women from this town have found livelihood opportunities through the recently concluded “Waste to Material” program under Project Saysay, an employee-led initiative of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) through GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin (GNPD).
The program trained spouses of municipal utility workerstransform discarded materials, such as election campaign tarpaulins, into eco-friendly products like bags, plant pots, faux lamps, and other home decors.
According to the Bataan Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan for 2018-2027, the province estimates that 310.6 tons of solid waste is generated per day, projected to rise to 396.6 tons per day by next year. Of the total, recyclables make up 72.6 tons (about 23%), underscoring the need for similar projects.
Trainers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) guided the participants, while, the GMEC and GNPD team distributed toolkits, to help all 50 beneficiaries kickstart their ventures in transforming waste materials into practical household items and creative décor.
Project Saysay is GMEC and GNPD’s monthly outreach program where employee-birthday celebrators volunteer their time to give back to the community, highlighting the company’s thrust to co-create safe, empowered, and sustainable communities.
The project was made possible in collaboration with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Mariveles, further strengthening the partnership between AboitizPower and the LGU in promoting sustainable practices.
According to Lolita Manrique, one of the beneficiaries, “I used to ignore used tarps and bottles, but it gave me a new way to help provide for my family and care for the environment. The program is a big help, especially for those without jobs.”
“The training helped participants realize they could repurpose everyday waste at home,” said Sarah Rose Maglaya, one of the TESDA trainers. “One of our biggest challenges was securing the materials. With the kits provided, they started creating right away and even continued at home.”
GMEC and GNPD are private limited partnerships. AboitizPower has a 78.3% effective partnership interest in GMEC and a 70% effective partnership interest in GNPD.
