Aeta community benefits from SBMA recycling project

Magbukon Aeta Tribal Council chief Berlinda Restum (2nd from left) and other tribe leaders receive donations from the Ecology Center of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as represented by Rossel Abuyo. The donations were funded by the proceeds from recyclable materials sold in the 9th SBMA Recyclables Collection Event. (Photo courtesy of SBMA)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The recycling project initiated by the Ecology Center of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) benefited 159 households belonging to the Magbukon Aeta community in Morong town Bataan province, after they received P23,000 worth of goods, the agency said on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

In a statement, Wilma Eisma, SBMA chair and administrator, said the donation was based on the proceeds from recyclable materials sold in the 9th SBMA Recyclables Collection Event (RCE) held last June.

Stakeholders in the free port participated in the bi-annual recycling project by selling recyclable materials and, as an option, donating the proceeds to underprivileged sectors.

The donation to the Aeta community included 15 sacks of premium rice, four boxes of instant noodles, 80 cans of corned beef, 30 1,500-piece boxes of face masks, and 10 gallons of isopropyl alcohol.

Eisma said these were the items that were specifically requested by the beneficiaries.

“By participating in our Recyclable Collection Event, residents and business establishments in the Subic Bay Freeport are able to address their waste problem, turn recyclables into cash, and at the same time, help members of the community who are in need,” Eisma said.

According to Amethya Dela Llana, SBMA Ecology Center manager, the RCE began in October 2016 and is conducted twice a year, except last year due to the pandemic restrictions.