Dauin town, the scuba diving and the resort capital of Negros Oriental, is set to adopt a municipality-wide zero waste policy in keeping with its thrust of being a sustainable tourism destination in Central Visayas.
This after the municipal government led by Mayor Galicano Truita recently held a coastal cleanup, which involved local officials and employees, and a simultaneous underwater cleanup by volunteer scuba divers.
The event, which is part of the recent International Coastal Cleanup Day, included an educational component which integrated all the environmental, waste management and upcycling initiatives within the municipality.
The fourth-class municipality takes pride in its rich ridge to reef ecosystem because of its forested uplands and lush marine life.
Dauin is inspired by its tourism gem, Apo Island, which was recently awarded as the first “zero waste” island barangay in the Philippines by the Zero Waste Cities Project (ZWCP) because of its community-based upcycling livelihood projects.
The ZWCP is an initiative of the GAIA Asia Pacific and 10 member collaborators from India, Indonesia, and the Philippines and is funded by the Plastic Solutions Fund.
The project aims to push solid waste management at the grassroots level, enabling waste reduction policies, and creating income opportunities in the handling and processing of recyclable materials.
The island currently has four purok-level material recovery facilities which integrate solid wastes into construction aggregates, resort furnishings and decorative items.
One of the country’s sought-after scuba diving sites, Apo boasts of a lush marine biodiversity with lush coral gardens, sea turtles, school of jacks, and other aquatic resources. The 74-hectare island is also recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a Protected Seascape and Landscape.
Earlier in 2019, the island also bagged the prestigious 7th Para El Mar Awards as the most outstanding marine protected area under the government’s National Integrated Protected Areas System.
Named by Sport Diver Magazine as among the world’s top 100 diving spots, it is habitat to over 650 documented species of fish and about 400 species of corals, from tiny bubbles to huge gorgonian sea fans and brain corals.
Taking its earth-friendly way of life a notch higher, Apo Island is pilot testing the use of organic shampoos and body wash, lime soap bars, organic liquid laundry and dishwashing solutions to gradually eliminate plastic waste sachets.
The social enterprise is a partnership with Silver Reef Dive Resort and PLS (Plastic Life Sucks) which will supply in pump bottles refillable and biodegradable bathroom and daily washing essentials.