BAGUIO CITY TAKES MAJOR STEPS TOWARD PROPER E-WASTE MANAGEMENT WITH THE BAKAKENG TSD FACILITY AGREEMENT

In a landmark move, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed a pivotal Cooperation Agreement with national agencies and private partners to establish Baguio’s first-ever electronic waste (e-waste) treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) area at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Barangay Bakakeng Central.

Barangay Captain Dan Daniel led the finalization of operational costs and human resources management for the forthcoming Bakakeng TSD Facility. Before signing the agreement, Baguio City conducted a comprehensive financial study, benchmarking the Bakakeng TSD Facility against existing e-waste collection facilities in Dampalit, Malabon City, and Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, to ensure economic viability.

The initiative received significant financial support from PLDT Inc. and its subsidiary Smart  Communications, Inc., further strengthening its viability. Bakakeng TSD Facility is set to accept a maximum of 10 tons of e-waste annually, substantially contributing to responsible e-waste management in the region.

DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs, Atty. Jonas Leones joined the signing of the  Cooperation Agreement to reaffirm the agency’s environmental commitment, “We at the DENR will continue to work to protect the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) or other harmful chemicals, as this is one of our commitments in several agreements such as the Stockholm Convention on POPs.”

Likewise, DENR Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh expressed, “We hope that this facility in Baguio would lead the way in demonstrating that cities, through their MRFs, can fight climate change and emphasize the importance of recycling and keeping our environments free from pollutants brought about by the non-management of e-wastes from households.”

The project has garnered continuous support from the private sector like the  r Integrated Recycling Industries Philippines, Inc. (IRI) and the  EcoWaste Coalition, who actively assisted  in its preparation.  The Cooperation Agreement signing ceremony was also attended by official representatives from the DENR and DENR - EMB Central and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Offices, the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the City General Services Office, and other concerned agencies. Notably, Bakakeng Central Barangay Chairman Dan Daniel also graced the event. 

Barangay Chairman Dan Daniel expressed his utmost gratitude to the government and the project, “Truly, this TSD facility will be of great help to our Barangay and the City to properly manage our hazardous e-wastes instead of keeping them in our backyards where its hazardous chemicals will leak and contaminate our soil and water. It is one small step to help stop urban decay.”

The Bakakeng TSD Facility Agreement marks a significant stride towards responsible e-waste management and underscores Baguio City’s commitment to public health and sustainability.