Villar Foundation’s Clean and Green and Livelihood projects

The problem about coconut husks started when coconut buyers in Las Pinas and nearby cities increased thus the coconut husks piled up on the sidewalks of Las Pinas and even on their River. But thanks to Dr. Justino Arboleda, an agricultural engineer by training and DEAN of the Bicol State University DOA, he designed a decorticating machine, a twining machine and hand loom. These machines helps the residents to be able to make a coco nets. 

personalized woven blanket

One blanket (single size) was bought at P65.00 each and the average output of one worker is 3 blanket a day.  In a month they can earn up to P4,680 net income since they don’t have to pay for transportation because their houses are just around the corner. Besides, they can still look after their children while they are working because they are free to come and join their moms.

Our 3rd stop was the Solid Waste Management at Barangay Pamplona Dos.  Here, we are being attended by Brgy. Captain Roberto Villalon.

transferring of the compressed garbage to the mixing plate with coco dust (that came from the coconut coir center)

and then the kitchen waste will be crushed using the hammer mill

after that, it will then be put in a composting machine 24/7

My favorite part of this tour is the transformation of Plastics (that are not being bought by junk shops) into a construction materials, this is the first time I ever saw this kind of innovation.

shredded plastic bags were included to make hollow blocks and pavers, isn’t that great?

the finished product were being used in Barangay beautification pojects

We also went to see the River where all these projects started.  It is a connecting river of Bacoor and Las Pinas.  You can transport from one place to another for only 1 peso per head.

 They are preserving this dam and other historical places for Tourist destinations.

Last but not the least, we visited the Las Pinas Arts and Crafts.  Here we saw different products made from bamboo, and water hyacinth (water lily).

We had lunch at Villar Residence after the educational tour.  We meet Congresswoman Cynthia Villar there and while eating, she answered our questions.  Oh yes! she doesn’t want to waste time so she eats while she answers our questions.

She said that we should change our mind sets, habits and cultural traits and we should also appreciate and improve what we have to develop Nationalism.

I adore all the projects of Las Pinas.  I even asked Mrs. Villar to help my city to do the same, and she said that she is very much willing to help as long as the people are willing to learn.  She will teach anybody, as long as they are motivated to help the environment and are dedicated to do the job.

The Villar Foundation is at it’s 20th year now, so I can say that they are already experts in their advocacies to help the environment.

If all the cities in Metro Manila or even better if the entire Philippines will follow this example, it will have a huge impact in our environment.

Kudos to the government of Las Pinas for doing a great job! I hope that other cities will follow as well.