Eco Kolek is a project in Puerto Princesa that empowers waste pickers and promotes sustainable waste management practices. Recently, the project achieved a major milestone by securing driver's licenses for its waste collectors, also known as the Eco Warriors.
The Eco Warriors are a group of waste pickers who are trained and equipped to collect waste from various locations in Puerto Princesa, including households, restaurants, and offices. They use tricycles to transport the waste they collect to designated collection points where it is sorted and prepared for recycling.
Prior to securing driver's licenses, the Eco Warriors faced many challenges in transporting waste, including legal restrictions on driving without a license. This made it difficult for them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently, limiting their ability to collect and transport waste to the designated collection points.
Recognizing the importance of having driver's licenses, Eco Kolek worked with the relevant government agencies to secure licenses for the Eco Warriors. The process involved training and testing to ensure that the Eco Warriors met the necessary requirements for driving and transporting waste.
With the driver's licenses in hand, the Eco Warriors are now able to carry out their duties more effectively, collecting and transporting waste in a timely and efficient manner. They are also able to travel to more locations to collect waste, expanding the reach of the project and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The issuance of driver's licenses is a significant achievement for the Eco Kolek project and its waste collectors. It not only empowers the Eco Warriors but also provides an opportunity for them to earn a livelihood while contributing to the environment and the community.
Updated: Aug 15
The recognition from the City Youth Development Office (CDYO) of the City Government of Puerto Princesa as one of their youth development partners is a humbling and gratifying moment for the Project Zacch Team.
It is an affirmation that our team's efforts towards empowering youths and developing youth leaders are appreciated, recognized, and supported by the local government.
We believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable future and bridge the societal gaps. That is why we are excited to continue collaborating and co-creating initiatives with CDYO that empower more youths, especially women leaders, and strengthen our youth leadership development programs.
We are also delighted to congratulate the newly launched CDYO and the first batch of youths who have completed the Apuradong Kabataan ng Puerto Princesa (AKAPP) Leadership Program. We believe that this is just the beginning of a fruitful partnership that will empower more young leaders and lead to a brighter future for Puerto Princesa City.
As we move forward, we are committed to pursuing our goal of empowering more youths and developing youth leaders, while also promoting sustainability and bridging societal gaps. We firmly believe that by working together and strengthening partnerships, we can create a better future for the next generation.
Thank you once again to CDYO and the City Government of Puerto Princesa for recognizing our efforts and supporting our cause. We are grateful for this opportunity and appreciative of the support. Let's continue to work together to achieve our goals and create a more sustainable future for all.
We at PZC - Eco Kolek are excited to announce that we have just received the highly coveted Mayor's Award in the environment sector on March 03, 2023, for our groundbreaking approach to waste management. Our innovative methods of waste collection and optimization of the informal waste sector have set us apart from the rest, and it is an honor to be recognized for our hard work.
One of the most remarkable things about our company is that it is led by women at all levels, from management to community-based leadership positions. It is inspiring to see our vision and dedication represented by the ladies who received the award on behalf of the company.
Our success is also with outstanding efforts of our Project Director John Vincent Gastanes, who was recognized as one of the awardees for his work in co-creating policies in solid waste management with the community of Bancao-Bancao and the local government. Through this partnership, we work actively to address waste management issues.
We owe a significant debt of gratitude to USAID Clean Cities Blue Ocean for funding our project and providing guidance and support for the past two years. Thanks to USAID's technical and governance capability development, our management team has grown by leaps and bounds. The award received by our Project Director is a testament to the impact of this support.
At the core of our success is USAID's trust and ability to navigate co-creation and co-ownership, which is felt by the community. We are proud to show what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together to make a difference.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the entire team at PZC - Eco Kolek, our partners, and the community for their unwavering support.