THE city government of Makati, through its Department of Environmental Services (DES), on Monday launched the “Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay (BBB)” at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle. 

The launching of the BBB is in line with the city’s observance of World Environment Month this June.

The BBB, which is the barangay-based version of the Makati Weekend Waste Market in Glorietta, was opened by Mayor Jejomar Binay with the chairmen of the city’s 33 barangays and other city officials and guests.

The city’s 33 barangays are divided into six clusters, and for each cluster, a designated BBB will serve as the “official” junk shop that will buy recyclables from residents of member-barangays. Each cluster is allowed to decide when they will sell to selected junk shops all the recyclables that they have bought from their residents. 

“We have decided to replicate the waste- market scheme in the barangays to make it more accessible to residents and, at the same time, avoid competition among them and promote the equal sharing of earnings among the members of each cluster. Likewise, they can use their earnings to buy useful things in their barangays or use it for other projects,” DES chief Danilo Villas said. 

On the other hand, the Kapisanan ng mga Junkshop Operators sa Makati (Kjom) has also provided the barangays the list of prices of each recyclable that can be sold in the BBB and required them to acquire accurate weighing scales.

They have, likewise, assigned junkshops that will buy the recyclables from the barangays. These junkshops are official members of Kjom.

“The residents are also assured of being given a fair price for their recyclables from the BBB since they have accurate weighing scale and use the prevailing price list of recyclables,” Villas added.

Meanwhile, other activities that the city government has lined up for the celebration of World Environment Month include a free emission test on June 28, to be led by the city’s Pollution and Control Office (MPCO).

The smoke test will be given for free to vehicle owners who will voluntarily submit their vehicles for testing. 

The free emission test will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the MPCO at the Central Fire Station on  Washington corner Buendia streets,  barangay San Antonio, Makati.

The MPCO will also distribute flyers to help raise the awareness of motorists on how to properly maintain their engines to avoid emitting poisonous smoke.

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Makati launches ‘Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay’

THE city government of Makati, through its Department of Environmental Services (DES), on Monday launched the “Baratilyo ng Basura sa Barangay (BBB)” at the Makati City Hall Quadrangle.