Mintal youth intensify solid waste management campaign in partnership with PHINLA
In line with the celebration of World Environment Month, youth members from Mintal, Davao City launched a number of activities that aim to raise awareness and involvement in solid waste management.
Since 2018, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay Mintal has been implementing the Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan program that seeks to involve the youth in various environmental campaigns. This year, Kabataan para sa Kalikasan centered on repurposing the tarpaulins used during the 2022 elections.
A total of 70 youth members comprised of barangay youth responders, boy scouts of Mintal Comprehensive High School, alternative learning system students, and Mintal Elementary School students joined the activity.
More than 400 grow pots were created out of the collected tarpaulins. In the program’s second phase, the pots were used to grow various vegetable seedlings. The youth council hopes to sustain the activity as a long-term advocacy.
“Transitioning to zero-waste is very possible. We need to help others understand why we have to do this. It’s challenging but I can see that this is where the youth will play a huge role. I am challenging other youth to help us campaign for a zero-waste lifestyle. A simple step could go a long way,” shares Mintal SK Chairman Kendall Joyce.
Involving the youth through Project SAKURA
Project SAKURA or Samahan ng Kabataan Kontra Basura is a digital campaign centered on educational awareness and active leadership, and responsible media usage that promotes environmental sustainability and solid waste management while highlighting zero waste practices. It envisions creating a network of youth environmental advocates that will promote, protect, and preserve the environment.
Last June 16, a forum with the theme “Better Earth, Better Humanity” was conducted for youth members aged 15-30. The participants learned about ecological solid waste management in the Philippines, Davao City’s ordinance on single-use plastics, and the zero-waste program approach of Mintal.
As one of its first activities, Project SAKURA launched the digital green challenge where the forum participants are encouraged to conduct an echo seminar to their respective households and to maximize their social media accounts to post environmental contents.
“We would like to thank PHINLA Global Program. It wouldn’t have been as successful as it was if it weren’t for you. Kung kami lang, hindi namin kaya. To my fellow youth, I hope you will also act now for a better earth, and better humanity. Let us all be reminded that we can shift our unhealthy habits. Hindi naman natin ito ginagawa para lang sa atin kundi for the benefit ng nakararami at future generations. Ang kabataan pa rin ang pag-asa ng bayan,” says PYAP-Mintal President Fidel Pasco Jr.
Project SAKURA is a program under the Kabataan at Bayan Fellowship Program funded by the US Department of State and Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Philippines, in collaboration with YSEALI Davao Hub and YSEALI Agusan Hub, Barangay Mintal Council, SK of Mintal, PYAP-Mintal Chapter, and PHINLA Global Program.
