THE Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office-Davao (Dole-Davao) has granted P1.5 million to the Bantay Dagat Volunteers Association (BDVA) of Davao to support their plastic waste recycling initiative.
Delivered through the Alagad sa Kinaiyahan Credit Cooperative, the funding aims to strengthen the association’s environmental sustainability efforts while promoting the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R).
The turnover ceremony, held at the association’s recycling facility in Macleod, Daliao, Toril, Davao City, underscores the growing collaboration between the government and community organizations in advancing environmental and socio-economic progress.
The BDVA, recognized for their dedicated efforts in protecting Davao's coastal and marine ecosystems, are now set to expand their operations with the help of a generous grant from Dole's Integrated Livelihood Program (ILP).
Iza Beth C. Villareal, Dole-Davao livelihood focal person, led the ceremony and expressed pride in supporting initiatives that balance ecological responsibility with income-generating opportunities for marginalized sectors. She expressed pride in supporting initiatives that balance environmental responsibility with economic benefits, especially for marginalized communities.
“We are honored to support the Bantay Dagat Volunteers Association in their mission to protect marine resources while simultaneously creating income-generating initiatives through sustainable plastic waste recycling,” Villareal said.
The BDVA has always focused on protecting Davao's coastal ecosystems. With financial support from Dole-Davao, the group is now poised to elevate its efforts.
With the financial aid, the BDVA plans to acquire new equipment, increase production capacity, and expand its outreach to promote better waste management practices. The support will enable them to strengthen their environmental efforts and enhance local livelihoods.
Raffy Bermejo, president of the BDVA, thanked the regional government for the timely aid, emphasizing how it would not only advance their environmental mission but also improve the economic prospects for the association’s members.
This initiative highlights the government’s efforts to align environmental conservation with economic empowerment, providing communities with the tools to preserve the environment and thrive. DEF
