Iloilo City has been recognized as one of the local government units in the country with outstanding practices in the implementation of sustainable solid waste management, in compliance with Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
The award was bestowed by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in line with the celebration of the 25th Signing Anniversary of RA 9003. Iloilo City was the only local government unit in Western Visayas to receive the national recognition.
The award was received by Iloilo City General Services Office Head Engr. Niel Ravena on behalf of the Iloilo City Government and Mayor Raisa Treñas during the awarding ceremony held on January 27, 2026, in Quezon City.
Ravena expressed gratitude to EMB for recognizing the city’s sustained efforts in environmental protection and waste management.
“This recognition affirms Iloilo City’s commitment to responsible governance and environmental stewardship. It reflects the collective effort of the city government, our partners, and our communities in ensuring that waste is managed sustainably and in accordance with the law,” Ravena said.
Among the city’s notable initiatives, in partnership with EMB Region 6 and the Uswag Calajunan Livelihood Association (UCLA), is the recycling of campaign materials collected during a citywide post-election clean-up drive. The activity complies with environmental regulations and Republic Act No. 9006, or the Fair Elections Act.
During the last elections, a total of 4,250 kilograms of tarpaulin sheets, flexible plastics, and wooden materials were collected from across the city. The tarpaulin sheets were upcycled into bags, aprons, laundry bags, and seedling pots by UCLA members.
Other recyclable materials were shredded and processed into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) while recovered wooden materials were used as tree guards for the city’s tree-planting initiatives. Other flexible plastics, including low-density polyethylene materials, were sold to accredited recycling shops.
It is also worth noting that Iloilo City received two major international recognitions that underscore its strong commitment to cleanliness, sustainable tourism, and environmental stewardship.
For the second time, the city earned the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award, reaffirming its people-centered approach to maintaining clean, safe, and attractive public spaces. The awarding ceremony is set for January 30, 2026, in Cebu City.
Iloilo City was likewise named a Role Model City by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center for its efforts in ecosystem restoration and the implementation of nature-based solutions in urban areas. The recognition supports the goals of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration and highlights the city’s success in integrating green and resilient solutions that enhance biodiversity while improving the quality of life of its communities. (Iloilo City PIO)
