Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc.

30/07/2026

The Earth overshoots today.

In just seven months, we have depleted all the natural resources the planet can regenerate in a year. What should last 12 months is gone, leaving us in ecological debt.

From this day forward, we are operating in an ecological deficit, using more resources than the Earth can regenerate within the year. Forests shrink, oceans strain, and ecosystems are pushed beyond their limits. This is not just a date, it is a warning that our current path is unsustainable.

We cannot afford to keep living beyond the planet’s means. The time to act is now. Delay overshoot. Restore balance. Protect our only home.

Learn more about Earth Overshoot Day, read the op-ed by CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje: https://tribune.net.ph/2026/07/19/earth-overshoot-day-the-limits-that-sustain-us

17/07/2026

The𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐕. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐉𝐕𝐎𝐅𝐈), through the Ridge to Reef Project funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc, successfully conducted its 𝟏𝟑𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 (𝐓𝐖𝐆) 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐧, 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧.

With the shared mission to “end plastic pollution,” partners from national agencies, the academe, the private sector, and local junkshops came together to present updates on the adoption of BESWMP by barangays, review and discuss the realignment of the Ridge to Reef project, and highlight accomplishments from May to June 2026. The meeting also featured updates on the Clean Coast Project Extension, the awarding of kulong-kulong units to selected barangays, and the documentation of key insights and recommendations to further streamline project implementation.

The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Celso Jucutan, TWG Chairman, and assisted by Ms. Shereal Catbagan of PG-ENRO, Vice-Chair of the TWG. One of the highlights was the awarding of kulong-kulong units to selected barangays under the Clean Coast Project, specifically Baccuit Norte and Payocpoc Sur in Bauang, La Union, and Ili Sur in San Juan, La Union. A deed of donation was signed, followed by the official turnover of three sets of kulong-kulong, symbolizing strengthened support for local waste collection and transport.

This milestone not only provided essential equipment to the communities but also reinforced the collaborative spirit of the Ridge to Reef Project in advancing sustainable waste management practices.

16/07/2026

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗿. 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗭. 𝗨𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗼.
𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬, 𝟭𝟵𝟱𝟯 - 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The board, management, and staff of Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc (JVOFI) mourn his passing.

Sir Danny was a member of the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation starting in 2004. He served as a trustee from 2004–2009, 2010–2013, and 2015–2018. He was also elected treasurer from 2009–2010 and president from 2014–2015. Although he stepped down as trustee in 2018, he remained a member of the Foundation until his passing.

Throughout Sir Danny’s tenure, his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment laid a foundation for our organization’s programs and community efforts. Thank you sir Danny, for your wisdom, purpose, and passion for making a meaningful difference.

We join the Urquico family, relatives, and loved ones in honoring their memory and celebrating a life dedicated to service.

His contributions remain etched in the heart of our organization.

25/06/2026

𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬: 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚, 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐰 𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Last 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟖–𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐕. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐉𝐕𝐎𝐅𝐈) 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, empowering our local waste-sector partners and BESWMC with essential financial management skills at Bacnotan Agri-Tourism Center.

Following our recent initiatives on 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, this training was the next step to ensure the long-term sustainability of community-led projects. The newly formed La Union Junkshop Owners and Waste Workers Association (LUJOWA) stands to benefit greatly, as members are now equipped with practical tools to:

✅ Transition from informal cash operations to structured financial systems
✅ Use logbooks, ledgers, and entry-level spreadsheets for daily transactions
✅ Calculate net profits and manage overhead costs
✅ Strengthen financial stability amidst volatile scrap and recycled goods markets

This intervention is designed to capacitate micro-entrepreneurs in the waste management and circular economy sectors helping them optimize revenue streams, safeguard cash flows, and build resilient enterprises.

The first day session was spearheaded by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐕. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. He discussed financial goal setting, tips in budgeting, tips in savings, investments, credit management, and causes of financial failure. He emphasized also the importance of goal setting highlighting the quote "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail"

On the second day, 𝐌𝐬 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐲𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐚, the project bookkeeper, discussed basic accounting techniques highlighting, debit and credit, basic knowledge in accounting and bookkeeping.

𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚, Mayor of Bacnotan, La Union, also visited and gave a message, she encouraged the participants to continue being responsible and actively participate on the programs that promotes environmental sustainability and community development. She highlights on her message "Kailangan natin gawin ang ating bahagi bilang mga lingkod-bayan at mamayan: magtulungan, magturo, at magserbisyo tayo nang may malasakit." (“𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴: 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.”)

𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.

25/06/2026

Coastal Clean-up for a Greener La Union!
Last June 23, 2026, the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. (JVOFI), together with the Technical Working group (DOERs, DHSUD, PG-ENRO, TESDA RTC 1, LINK, DENR-EMB, PCG, DTI and Barangay Officials, conducted a coastal clean-up at Barangays Canaoay and San Francisco, San Fernando City, La Union.

Through collective effort, we were able to remove and properly account for various types of waste from the shoreline:

Collected Waste (in kilograms):
• Residual waste: 24.9
• Old clothes: 13.3
• Papers: 8.0
• Glass Bottles: 7.9
• Hard plastics: 3.1
• Fishing gear: 2.3
• Rubber tires: 2.8
• PET: 2.8
• Styrofoams: 1.0
• Plastic cups: 0.8
• Paper cups: 0.8
• Plastic Spoons & forks: 0.3
• Plastic lids & caps: 0.2
• Hazardous waste (lighters and v**e) : 0.2
• Landok: 0.2
• Cigarette butts: 0.1
• Cans: 0.1

A total of 68.8kg

This activity shows how much waste continues to threaten our coasts and how much impact we can make when we work together.

Let’s keep building momentum for cleaner seas, healthier communities, and a sustainable future and let’s celebrate the Philippine Environment Month.








About the Project:
𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 2021 𝘵𝘰 2023, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘺𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘢 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 2023, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘢𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘨, 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘭 15, 2026, 𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 15, 2026, 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

25/06/2026

25/06/2026

13/06/2026

𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗬 🌊🛒

The Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc. successfully conducted a Coastal Clean-up Drive along the shorelines of Ili Sur and Ili Norte, San Juan La Union last June 11, 2026, in close coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Juan.

The collaborative effort brought together 90 dedicated participants representing various sectors, including local government officials, youth leaders, civil society organizations, and uniformed personnel. Together, the team cleared a total of 114.2 kilograms of marine debris and waste.
Here is the exact tally of the waste recovered during the initiative:

• Glass bottles – 45.5 kg
• Residual waste – 35.1 kg
• Plastic bottles – 15 kg
• Paper – 9 kg
• Tin cans – 2.1 kg
• Old clothes – 2 kg
• Slippers – 2 kg
• Rubber (Goma) – 2 kg
• Styrofoam – 1 kg
• Wire – 300 g
• Hard plastic – 200 g
• Cigarette butts – 200 g
• Plastic bottle caps – 200 g
• Hazardous waste – 100 g

A heartfelt thanks to the following participating groups whose invaluable support made this accomplishment possible:

• Bannuar ti La Union Eagles Club
• Barangay Ili Sur Officials
• Barangay Oaquing Officials and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
• LINK
• DOERS
• Sangbayan of Bauang
• Philippine National Police (PNP)
• Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
• Barangay Casilagan
• SK Ili Sur
• PGLU-ENRO
• Representatives from DILG-La Union
• Representatives from DTI La Union

Let us continue to work together to keep our oceans cleaner, healthier, and safer for generations to come! 💙💪







About the Project:

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 2021 𝘵𝘰 2023, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘺𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘢 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 2023, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘢𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘨, 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘍𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘭 15, 2026, 𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘦 15, 2026, 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

03/06/2026

“𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.”

The 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐕. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐉𝐕𝐎𝐅𝐈) spearheaded a 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Held on June 2–5, 2026, the study brought together a diverse group of partners Local Government Units, academic institutions, LUJOWA (La Union Junkshop Owners and Wasteworkers Association), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), People’s Organizations (POs), and Barangay representatives, to exchange knowledge and explore innovative approaches to solid waste management.

Through site visits, interactive learning sessions, and collaborative discussions, participants gained valuable insights into effective waste diversion strategies, recycling initiatives, and community-driven practices that have proven successful in Iloilo City and Project Agubay. These best practices serve as a roadmap for strengthening La Union’s own systems, ensuring that communities are equipped with practical solutions to address pressing environmental challenges.

This benchmarking activity reflects JVOFI’s unwavering commitment to empowering stakeholders, fostering partnerships, and scaling sustainable models that promote a circular economy and resilient environment. By learning from proven approaches and adapting them to local contexts, La Union communities continue to move forward in building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

25/05/2026

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” – Wendell Berry

Strengthening Environmental Stewardship in Bauang, La Union

Last May 20, 2026, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐕. 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐉𝐕𝐎𝐅𝐈), 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 (𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐀) 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐜𝐩𝐨𝐜 𝐒𝐮𝐫, 𝐁𝐚𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐟 (𝐑𝟐𝐑) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭.

The event gathered 53 participants business owners, barangay representatives, members of the Technical Working Group (TWG), and JVOFI staff who came together to strengthen their knowledge and skills in solid waste management, recycling, and coastal protection.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 (𝐏𝐂𝐆):Mr. Melan Garay presented the National Plan of Action on Marine Litter (NPOA-ML), aiming for Zero Waste in Philippine waters by 2040. He emphasized the importance of community partnerships and invited participants to coordinate future clean-ups with the PCG.

𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑-𝐄𝐌𝐁 (𝐑𝐀 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝟑 & 𝐄𝐏𝐑 𝐋𝐚𝐰):
Engr. Stephen Villanueva discussed the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, reminding everyone of the lessons from the Payatas tragedy. Engr. Ivy Flores highlighted the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, expanding the familiar “3Rs” into the “10Rs” of waste management encouraging communities to Refuse, Rethink, Repurpose, and more.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: Ms. Doris Bambao shared the Barkada Kontra Basura initiative, stressing bayanihan and youth involvement through the SK and residents. She emphasized that waste management is not only the responsibility of barangay officials but of every community member.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐨. 𝟒𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑): Ms. Shereal M. Catbagan explained the province’s ban on single-use plastics like Styrofoam and plastic forks, while promoting eco-friendly alternatives. Programs such as Palit Basura and Aling Tindera encourage residents to exchange plastic waste for incentives. She reminded everyone to bring eco-bags when shopping and clarified that fines collected go directly to municipal projects.

𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐟 (𝐑𝟐𝐑) 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: Mr. Celso Jucutan introduced the R2R project as a strategic framework for sustainable waste management. He linked local efforts to the DILG’s KALINISAN Program and promoted the concept of “May Pera sa Basura”showing that recycling can also be a source of livelihood.

The CEPA activity was more than just a seminar, it was a call to action. It reminded everyone that protecting our environment is a shared responsibility. From banning single-use plastics to organizing coastal clean-ups, every effort counts toward building cleaner communities and healthier ecosystems.

𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝. 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.