TARLAC CITY, Tarlac (March 20, 2026) — The provincial government, led by Governor Christian Yap, convened the Quarterly Provincial Solid Waste Management Board meeting to strengthen environmental initiatives and reinforce the province’s commitment to sustainable waste management on Thursday, March 19.
Joined by EnP. Krishna V. Buenaventura, Provincial Administrator, and Acting PG-ENRO Merlyn C. Molina, alongside the Provincial General Services Office (PG-ENRO) and representatives from Coca-Cola Philippines, the meeting highlighted ongoing programs aimed at promoting environmental preservation across Tarlac.
Among the key initiatives discussed were the search for Environmental Champions, the enhancement of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, and the continued strengthening of Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in various municipalities.
The board also tackled the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)-based plastic waste recovery program in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, as well as the province’s sustained water quality monitoring efforts.
In his message, Governor Yap emphasized the importance of proper waste segregation and the need for Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENROs) to effectively implement solid waste management programs at the local level.
“I’ll just give a short support and guidance sa ating mga MENRO na sana ma-execute niyo ng tama ang ating mga solid waste management programs sa iba’t-ibang munisipyo,” Yap said.
Drawing from his experience as former mayor of Victoria, Tarlac, the governor highlighted the value of adopting circular economy practices such as recycling, reusing, and reducing residual waste. He noted that minimizing waste disposal in landfills not only cuts costs for local governments but also opens opportunities for livelihood through the creation of eco-friendly products like bricks from waste plastic and organic fertilizer.
Yap also revealed that the province now handles the awarding of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), and that a municipality’s waste management practices particularly in segregation and recycling will be key indicators for passing the assessment.
“Titignan namin ang practices niyo for circular economy, kung paano nababawasan yung waste niyo… kung anong products ang magagawa niyo,” he added.
The governor encouraged MENROs to develop systems that promote segregation at the household and barangay levels, and to take advantage of programs like Coca-Cola’s plastic waste purchasing initiative. He stressed that monitoring the reduction of municipal waste expenditures would serve as a measurable indicator of progress.
“Napaka-importanteng matutukan ang cleanliness ng ating probinsya. Dahil pag malinis, mas konti ang nagkakasakit, mas mababa ang burden sa ating health systems,” Yap concluded.
The meeting reaffirmed the provincial government’s resolve to protect Tarlac’s natural resources and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable environment for future generations.
