Zamboanga City, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), formally launched the Trash-to-Cash Project today, July 5, in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City. This community initiative was marked by the ceremonial turnover of trash bins by the U.S. Marine Special Operations Company, headed by Captain Ansley Green, to the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) and local 4Ps beneficiaries.

The Trash-to-Cash Project is one of the key interventions identified under the Social Investment Forum (SIF) held in 2023. The project addresses two of the most pressing issues affecting 4Ps beneficiaries in the area:

Waste Management and Flood Mitigation. Improper waste disposal has been a significant cause of flooding in the community, especially during the rainy season. The project aims to improve solid waste management practices by providing accessible trash bins for segregated waste collection across the barangay.

Financial Augmentation and Sustainable Livelihood. The collected recyclable materials will be sold to a partner recycler through SM’s waste management network. Proceeds from the sales will be pooled as seed capital for a future community-based livelihood initiative to be managed by the local 4Ps parent groups.

Tumaga’s Barangay Chairperson and 4Ps’ District Advisory Committee Chairperson, Hon. Jacqueline J. Lim, encouraged her constituents (4Ps beneficiaries) to utilize the bins smartly and ensure that it serves the purpose. Lim also committed to provide labels and safekeeping of the bins in their respective areas after installation.

The project reflects the DSWD’s commitment to empowering communities through sustainable, localized solutions. It also underscores the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly with the support of international partners.

DSWD expresses its sincere gratitude to the U.S. Marine Special Operations Company for their valuable assistance and continued commitment to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable families in the Philippines.

“This partnership goes beyond waste management — it’s about community resilience, sustainability, and dignity for our 4Ps families,” said Evelyn Dalaguit, DSWD representative during the launch event.

The Trash-to-Cash Project is the initial project of SIF and is envisioned to be replicated in other barangays and/or municipalities as part of a broader effort to integrate environmental and economic sustainability into the 4Ps program.