LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – Some government establishments and offices in this city are repurposing plastic bottles and other waste materials into Christmas decorations for the upcoming holiday season.
The villages of Cabungaan South and San Matias, Cabeza Elementary School, and the Department of Education (DepEd) City Schools Division are participating in the display of Christmas lanterns and other festive decorations made from recycled plastic bottles, egg trays, paper, seashells, and other waste materials.
Barangay Cabungaan chairperson Marie Rose Dela Cruz said this recycling project in their barangay started in 2018.
“Especially sa mga parols, makikita rito ang solidarity ng mga bawat sitio at mga iba’t ibang organizations gaya ng mga tanod, health team, at pati na rin ang mga Sangguniang Kabataan,” Dela Cruz said.
The Laoag City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) also joined in crafting recycled Christmas decorations.
“We can make our holidays more environment friendly by upcycling waste materials, especially plastic, into Christmas decorations. Pati na rin sa pagregalo, we encourage recycled materials or environment friendly ang gamitin na gift wrapping,” Mylene Pascual, CENRO officer said.
The Laoag CENRO is currently holding the “Our eFriendly Christmas Tree” decoration contest where the department offices of the Laoag City Hall will utilize recycled materials to decorate their respective offices.
Moreover, she encouraged that during the holiday season, residents should be conscious of both food and plastic wastes.
“We should take care of our waste before, during, and after this holiday season. Implement solid waste management as we make sure that we segregate, don't use plastic, and consider giving eco-friendly gifts,” Pascual said. (JCR/AMB/EJFG/JFG-Intern, PIA Ilocos Norte)
