2 MIN READ

By ARTEMIO A. DUMLAO
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY—A scorecard to monitor the progress of circular economy (CE) programs—aimed at waste minimization and transformation into economic resources—is being sought by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

A circular economy minimizes waste replacing the traditional “take-make-dispose” model. The city is aggressively implementing programs based on its ten principles: recover, recycle, repurpose, remanufacture, refurbish, repair, reuse, reduce, rethink, and refuse. These initiatives aim to integrate sustainable waste management practices into residents’ daily lives, fostering environmental sustainability and resilience.

Magalong tasked the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) and the General Services Office (GSO) to develop a scorecard. This tool will include indicators, thresholds, and other metrics to measure compliance with the programs.

The mayor also directed the setting of targets for the entire city and each barangay from 2025 to 2028. The scorecard will monitor progress in three key programs: Bida Barangay, Circular Tourism Enterprises, and Green Education, covering critical sectors in the city.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran lauded Magalong’s scorecard initiative, calling it a viable and effective tool for encouraging project implementers to track progress and set higher goals.

Ramachandran noted that the idea could also be adopted by other local government units (LGUs) included as grantees of the European Union-Green Economy Programme in the Philippines (EU-GEPP) Green LGUs project, where circular economy is a key component.

The CPDSO and GSO have been given two weeks to finalize the scorecard and target-setting process.

Magalong also urged barangays to take the lead in raising awareness of circular economy principles, emphasizing that this approach is the best way to manage the city’s garbage problem. He underscored its role in achieving environmental sustainability, addressing urban decay, and mitigating climate change effects.

While the city has seen gradual improvements in waste management, the mayor stressed that more work is needed—particularly in changing public mindsets and behaviors to embed CE concepts into daily life.

“During our latest evaluation, no less than our UNDP partners said that Baguio is leading in the CE program, thanks to the active participation of various sectors. Your presence in these activities proves that people are becoming more enthusiastic, but we need even more involvement,” Magalong said.# nordis.net