HOCCI | Mayor Marilou Flores-Morillo reiterated the utmost support of the city government to such initiatives and how the plastic waste diversion activities fit into her administration’s vision of a Green City.

UN-Habitat Philippines Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo highlighted the pioneering efforts of Calapan to develop one of the country’s first City Plans of Action on Marine Litter (CPOA-ML), which was adopted as an ordinance, mirroring the NPOA-ML’s goal of zero waste to Philippine waters by 2040. Speaking on behalf of the members of the SEC-registered community-based organization, CCAPI President Marlo Pudan thanked the city government, UN-Habitat and Japan government for catalyzing their mission to help divert plastic waste and provide livelihood opportunities to their expanding group. Councilors Jel Magsuci and Rafael Panaligan, Jr. both expressed legislative support to waste reduction and management programs. EMB’s Provincial Environment Management Officer Ms. Ederlita Labre and DOST Oriental Mindoro Provincial Director Jessie Pine likewise expressed support to the city.