MMDA Empowers Women’s Groups and Community Leaders Through Capacity-Building Initiative for Better Solid Waste Management

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP), has launched a capacity-building initiative aimed at empowering women’s groups and community leaders from 20 barangays in the Vitas area. This initiative seeks to strengthen solid waste management (SWM) practices and community participation to promote environmental sustainability and minimize the accumulation of waste in Metro Manila's waterways.

An MMDA representative delivers another instructive lecture and workshop to the engaged audience, equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to enhance solid waste management practices in their respective communities."

The Capacity Building for Women’s Group and Community Leaders is a key component of the MMFMP, designed to enhance community-based solid waste management efforts in the target barangays. Over the course of three days (last October 21, 23, and 24, 2024), the participants received training on SWM practices, with a particular focus on the collection and segregation of recyclable materials, composting programs, and the operation of the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF).

MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes expressed his enthusiasm and excitement for the program, stating, "This initiative is an important step in empowering communities to take ownership of their solid waste management systems. By capacitating women’s groups and local leaders, we are fostering a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges we face and encouraging action at the grassroots level. Together, we can create sustainable and cleaner communities for everyone."

The program is also designed to address the challenges encountered by the barangays in segregating waste and to encourage participants to engage in regular clean-up drives, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns, and other community-based SWM activities.

Participants and attendees engage in the MMDA’s capacity-building sessions, demonstrating their support and commitment for solid waste management initiatives. These interactive sessions continue to inspire active community participation, fostering a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and better waste management practices."

Additionally, one of the significant aspects of the program is the potential for these women’s groups to become income-generating entities through their involvement in the recycling industry. By organizing these groups and formalizing their operations, MMDA aims to create livelihood opportunities that contribute to the economic growth of the community.

Director Josias E. Syquimsiam Jr., Director IV of MMDA SWMO, highlighted the importance of this project in the community: "We are hopeful that the capacity-building initiative will inspire other barangays to follow suit and integrate solid waste management into their local development plans. The active involvement of women and community leaders plays a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of these efforts, and we are excited to see how their contributions will shape the future of SWM in Metro Manila."

To address the complex challenges of waste management across Metro Manila, the MMDA has adopted a more comprehensive approach that extends beyond individual barangays.

Highlighting the significance of this strategy, Butch Cauyong, Project Development Officer V, SWMO, Technical Staff Team Leader, of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project shared that “Si MMDA po, nagkaroon ng community organizing sa barangay level at isang development po for the City of Manila ay hindi po individual na barangay lang, bagkus, dapat holistic yung approach. Medyo marami po tayong i-ca-cater. Nagkakaroon po kasi ng problema sa boundary areas. Kaya po na-set-up yung clustering system natin kasi ang makikinabang naman, ang makikinabang naman nito, yung constituents around the barangay po ninyo.”

Highlighting the significance of this strategy, Butch Cauyong, Project Development Officer V and Technical Staff Team Leader for the Metro Manila Flood Management Project, shared, “The MMDA has initiated community organizing at the barangay level, but for the City of Manila, our approach goes beyond individual barangays—it has to be holistic. We have to cater to a larger area because issues often arise at boundary areas. That’s why we implemented a clustering system, ensuring that the benefits reach not only the immediate barangay but also neighboring communities.”

As one of the key highlights of the program is the recognition of recyclables as a potential source of livelihood for women and their communities, participants learned how to properly collect, segregate, and manage recyclable materials, and with the added aid of the Mobile Materials Recovery Facility (MMRF), women now have the power to both exchange or transform waste into a valuable resources that can be used, sold or repurposed. The MMRF serves as a mobile solution to efficiently process recyclables, making it easier for communities to participate in recycling efforts. This not only helps reduce the volume of waste in Metro Manila’s waterways but also provides women with income-generating opportunities, contributing to sustainable community development and improving their quality of life.

The capacity-building sessions also include discussions on the development of a concrete plan for improving the waste collection and disposal systems in the barangays. The participants are expected to come up with new strategies for engaging the wider community and enhancing SWM practices.

The MMDA’s continued commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development is evident through this initiative, which not only addresses solid waste management but also empowers communities to play a more active role in safeguarding the environment.

For more information about the MMDA’s solid waste management initiatives, visit the MMDA website or follow us on social media.