Women entrepreneurs in Manila receive grants to advance waste management businesses
Women in waste grantees from Tondo, Manila received P346,000 worth of capital and equipment to enhance their door-to-door collection and junk shops.
Women entrepreneurs based in Tondo, Manila received grants for capital and equipment to boost their junk shop and door-to-door collection businesses as part of WWF-Philippines’ efforts to push for a gender-inclusive waste management sector.
In a turnover ceremony on Nov. 4 at the San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo, two individuals and two groups received over P346,000 worth of capital and equipment such as protective gear, cleaning supplies, pails, bags and a cart, among others.
The grantees were Elena Plaza, Analiza Maglasang, the Women Waste Warriors group with five members led by April Relox, and another group with four members led by Geraldine Mesa. The recipients will be using the grant to enhance their door-to-door collection and junk shops.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa WWF — (at) para sa mga katulad kong mabibigyan ng grant, ituloy lang. Be strong kasi talaga minsan may dumadaan sa buhay natin na hindi natin inaasahan pero maging matatag tayo,” said Elena, who plans to opens a bodega for her junk shop in Marala Cluster, Tondo.
[Translation: I am grateful for WWF – and for my fellow grantees, let us continue our work. In life, there will be times of hardship, but let us be strong.]
Elena Plaza is among the grantees who received a grant from USAID and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.
The equipment and grants are part of the Women in Waste Economic Empowerment (WWEE) program of the Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) initiative under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with WWF-Philippines and the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) as well as the EcoWaste Coalition’s Basic Business Empowerment Skills Training (BBEST) that is also funded by CCBO.
"Ang aming hangarin ay makatulong na maabot ang mas malinis na komumunidad at karagatan para sa ating lahat. Pero hindi namin ito kaya nang mag-isa. Tayong lahat, sama-sama” said Cecile Alcantara, CCFPI President.
[Translation: We strive for cleaner communities and seas but we can’t do it by ourselves. We need to work together]
Prior to receiving the grant, the women underwent management training under BBEST and participated in a pitching session to a panel in August. The grantees were selected based on the clarity, impact, and feasibility of their business idea, and the drive of the women to implement the business model.
The grantees received tools and equipment such as protective gear, cleaning supplies, bags and a cart to aid their waste collection services.
A recent WWF study found that women bear a disproportionate burden when it comes to managing plastic use and waste when compared to men. WWF-Philippines is pushing for gender-inclusive solid waste management systems in homes and communities.
“Maraming bagay ang kailangang magbago at mag-improve sa mundo pero lahat ‘yan ay nagsisimula sa tao, sa sarili – at kayo ay mabubuting halimbawa ng pagbabago sa sarili na nakakatulong sa iba,” said WWF-Philippines Executive Director Trin Custodio, addressing the grantees.
[Translation: There are many things that need to change and improve in the world but that all starts in our individual selves, and you are prime examples of the kind of change that can help others.]
The WWEE partnership is in line with WWF-Philippines’ advocacy to empower women in the waste management sector under its No Plastics in Nature (NPIN) initiative that seeks to stop the flow of plastic waste in nature by 2030.
About WWF-Philippines:
The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines is an environmental non-government organization committed to create an impact on biodiversity protection and responding to the climate crisis -towards a safe and just recovery. WWF-Philippines works with a host of partners including national and local governments, to co-create inclusive, innovative, and interdisciplinary solutions that emphasize the role of science in the service of life.
WWF-Philippines' focus is on scaled solutions with our partners to match the enormity of the tasks required to address the urgent environmental challenges facing the present and next generations of Filipinos. Its mission is "to stop, and eventually reverse the accelerating degradation of the Philippine environment – to build a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature."
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Assistant Manager for External Communications and Ambassador Programs
09276566436
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
