Press Release
SMART turns over MRF and pulverizer to GK Sooc
[February 3, 2010/ Iloilo City] - Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) recently turned over a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and a pulverizer to residents of the PLDT-SMART Amazing Gawad Kalinga (GK) village in Barangay Sooc, Arevalo, Iloilo City.
Both facilities are part of SMART’s efforts to implement a solid waste management program in the village, as well as give residents an alternative source of livelihood.
The residents store residual waste that can neither be recycled nor composted in the MRF. Using the pulverizer, they shred pieces of plastic bags, junk food sachets and candy wrappers and mix them with cement to form bricks. The bricks, which can be used as garden pavers, are then sold to homeowners, small landscaping businesses and building contractors.
“The City Government welcomes efforts from different sectors that want to share whatever they want with our people,” said Mayor Jerry P. Treñas of Iloilo City. He added that the PLDT-SMART GK Village is an answer to the Ilonggos’ need for decent housing facility.
“The MRF and the pulverizer are what will remind our GK residents about the importance of taking care of the environment. The need to lessen, if not completely eradicate, the garbage problem is everybody’s concern,” said Binggirl Clemente, coordinator of Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc.
SMART and EDNPI are working together to implement a Solid Waste and Zero Waste management program in the GK Sooc Village, in line with GK’s Green Kalinga Program.
“SMART is partnering with stakeholders in training GK Sooc Village residents in environmental and disaster preparedness. We’ve also implemented a post-marketing waste management program to lessen the impact of waste on the environment,” said Nova Concepcion, SMART Public Affairs Community Partnerships manager.
SMART donated tarpaulin from its billboard ads and other promotional materials, which the residents converted into school bags, totes and grocery bags and sold to a now growing clientele as corporate giveaways.
GK Sooc Village president Herminia Pineda thanked all officials present for providing them homes as well as a sustainable source of income. “You took us away from the dumps of the city and placed us here in a peaceful and loving community,” she said.
The PLDT‐SMART Amazing GK Village in the Arevalo District of Iloilo City is the sixth GK Village adopted by PLDT and SMART. SMART’s initiatives to provide homes and livelihood via GK are part of its community-building initiatives under its corporate social responsibility program Kabalikat. @
