Total Recyclables Collected: 362,459 kilos
Eco Kolek Brings Circular Economy Education to Puerto Princesa City Jail
Forty-five Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) took part in a circular economy roadshow at the Puerto Princesa City Jail on July 13, 2026, as the PZC-Eco Kolek Program formally began its partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in bringing environmental education and waste management practices inside the facility. The roadshow was conducted as part of the pre-launching activity for the BJMP project "Basura Mo sa Piitan, Responsibilidad Mo, Kabuhayan Mo," with the Eco Kolek team serving as resource speakers. A total of 58 participants attended, including 45 PDLs, eight BJMP personnel, and five PZC-Eco Kolek staff.
Mitchell Gimena
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Forty-five Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) took part in a circular economy roadshow at the Puerto Princesa City Jail on July 13, 2026, as the PZC-Eco Kolek Program formally began its partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in bringing environmental education and waste management practices inside the facility.
The roadshow was conducted as part of the pre-launching activity for the BJMP project "Basura Mo sa Piitan, Responsibilidad Mo, Kabuhayan Mo," with the Eco Kolek team serving as resource speakers. A total of 58 participants attended, including 45 PDLs, eight BJMP personnel, and five PZC-Eco Kolek staff.
The program was hosted by SJO1 Annaliza Dumandan and opened with welcome remarks from SJO2 Marilyn S. Felizarte, Officer-in-Charge of the Puerto Princesa City Jail Female Dorm. Ms. Joycee Oliverio of Eco Kolek followed with a message explaining the purpose of the activity, after which SJO1 Peter Tumanon, Chief Welfare and Development Officer of the Male Dorm, delivered an inspirational message to participants.
A symbolic turnover of fabric trash bins marked the start of the collaboration between BJMP and Eco Kolek in promoting proper waste segregation and a cleaner jail environment.
Ms. Grace Roa opened the learning sessions with an introduction to Project Zacchaeus and its community programs, including Eco Kolek. She described how the program supports informal waste collectors through training in proper waste segregation and livelihood opportunities in its pilot community in Barangay Sicsican.
Mr. Ivan Jay Asturias followed with a discussion on the origins of plastic, its impact on the environment, and the importance of proper waste segregation. He walked participants through the four classifications of waste—biodegradable, recyclable, residual, and special waste.
Participants then took part in a hands-on waste sorting activity, dividing into two groups to classify various materials into their correct categories. The exercise allowed them to apply what they had learned in an interactive setting.
Ms. Joycee Oliverio led the final learning session, explaining the principles of the circular economy. She emphasized that not all waste is destined for the landfill, and that many materials can be reused, recycled, or transformed into new products that reduce environmental harm.
Following the sessions, Eco Kolek distributed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and hygiene kits to all participating PDLs. BJMP officers presented Certificates of Recognition to the Eco Kolek team in appreciation of their contribution, and the Eco Kolek team in turn presented tokens of appreciation to the BJMP officers for their support and partnership.
SJO1 Jennifer W. Felizarte delivered the closing remarks, thanking the Eco Kolek team and encouraging the PDLs to apply their new knowledge in their daily activities. Representatives from both the male and female dormitories also shared messages of thanks.
The roadshow followed a jail visitation and consultation conducted on July 10, during which the Eco Kolek team met with BJMP officers and selected PDL representatives to discuss possible environmental activities within the facility. The team toured the premises to identify areas for future programming and presented a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize the partnership.
The activity introduced the Eco Kolek program to the PDLs, strengthened their understanding of proper waste segregation and environmental protection, and reinforced the growing partnership between Eco Kolek and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
The PZC-Eco Kolek Program is an environmental initiative of Project Zacchaeus Marketing Cooperative built on a circular economy model that provides livelihood opportunities to informal waste collectors in Puerto Princesa City.
