Beyond the Bin: Advocating for SDG 12 and EPR Act of 2022

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 12 is “Responsible Consumption and Production.” This goal focuses on promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns. It aims to achieve efficient use of resources, reduction of waste and pollution, and the adoption of sustainable practices throughout the entire lifecycle of products and services. SDG 12 targets include ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, halving global per capita food waste at the retail and consumer levels, and encouraging companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycles. Overall, SDG 12 aims to contribute to the conservation of natural resources, reduce environmental degradation, and promote sustainable economic growth.

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The EPR Act of 2022, on the other hand, law holds companies accountable for the plastic packaging they produce throughout the lifecycle of their products.

Unlike many EPR systems around the world, the Philippine law includes the recovery of flexible plastic, which has been historically difficult (and sometimes impossible) to sell. This is a game changer for the environment, as it incentivizes people to recover non-recyclable waste.

However, not all businesses in the Philippines will be required to implement an EPR program. For now, the EPR Act of 2022 only applies to large enterprises with assets of over ₱100 million.

Thus, the Rotary Club of Ibaan decided to form a resolution that requests the RI Board to consider establishing corporate partnerships that will support one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus, the Environment.

Here is brief presentation of how RC Ibaan believes we. as a service organization, can help

In March 2, the Club signed a Resolution to be submitted to the RI Board for consideration.

And on March 25, HCP Marge partnered with the Sanitary Engineering students of Batangas State University in an environment talk titled Beyond the Bin: Empowering Young Minds to Sustainable Consumption and Production. This marks the beginning of a series of efforts to spread information and create awareness among our youth, in schools and in the community.

The Rotary Club of Ibaan believes that in working with young leaders, we have a unique opportunity to inspire positive change and contribute to the achievement of our goals. Through collective action and collaboration, Rotary can help build a more sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.

Virtual Assistance Workshop: A Fundraising Project for the Rotary Club of Ibaan

RC Ibaan’s Hope Creating President is a wife, a mom, a crafter, and a virtual assistant. She left the corporate world to personally take care of her children, and homeschooled them, too. 

So when the Club needed an extra boost in funds, she decided to conduct one workshop and raise some badly needed cash.

The workshop was a success as it raised 28k (net of expenses) for the Club.

Included in the registration fee were morning and afternoon snacks, lunch, freeflowing coffee, handouts, and digital copies of resources that each attendee can use as they launch into a VA career, like the  Rock Your LinkedIn Profile eBook, the Pricing Strategies eBook, the Tools of the Trade eBook, and the Service Pricing Calculator, which The Happy WAHM herself authored.

That workshop also paved the way for HCP Marge to get invited to speak at the career orientation of St Jude Science and Technological School, giving a glimpse of freelancing to students who might not want to pursue a bachelor’s degree, or cannot afford to. 

Liwanag at Pag-asa: Siyam na Proyekto Hatid ng Mga Rotaryo

The spirit of community service shines brightly through the concerted efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Batangas as they launch a 7-in-1 (+2) activity in the Municipality of San Pascual.  United by a common goal of making a positive impact, different clubs have joined forces and combined their resources to stage one big community project addressing the Seven Areas of Focus of Rotary.

HCP Marge Aberásturi and Rtn Isabel Aberásturi participated in this activity as members of the Basic Education and Literacy Committee.

The group gathered a group of young students for storytelling, and distributed lunch boxes and art materials.

The activity was made more fun by none other than Hope Creating President Aileen Montalbo of the Rotary Club of Downtown Batangas. HCP Aileen has a natural talent of engaging young minds in fun activities.

Indeed, the strength of Rotary lies in its network of dedicated Rotarians who selflessly give their time, skills, and resources to serve others. By leveraging the Seven Areas of Focus as a framework for action, the Rotary Clubs of Batangas were able to address a wide range of issues impacting the municipality.

As Rotary Clubs continue to unite in their mission of service above self, they inspire hope, ignite change, and build a brighter future for generations to come. In a world that often seems divided, Rotary reminds us of the power of unity, compassion, and collective action in creating a better world for all.

7-in-1 (+1) Para sa Ibaan: A Community Project Serving the Ibaeños

Community projects are the cornerstone of positive change, often embodying the spirit of collective effort and goodwill. Rotary International, a global network of problem solvers, has identified seven areas of focus to guide its initiatives: peacebuilding and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation, and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and supporting the environment. The Rotary Club of Ibaan fully supports these initiatives, and as a major project in the Hope Creating Year, the 7-in-1 (+1) Para sa Ibaan project came to fruition.

The Club conducted bloodletting, cataract screening, eye check up, tooth extractions, mental health consultations, livelihood training on dishwashing liquid making, a talk on the law on Violence Against Women and Children, and a talk of the Six Laws of Environmental Protection.

We had 189 pre-registered beneficiaries and 56 walk-in patients who came for eye-check up and tooth extraction, and 28 who attended the livelihood training.

All the activities were free for the beneficiaries. We gave away business starter kits to those who attended the livelihood training, free eye frames for those who were prescribed with corrective lenses, free seedlings for those who attended the talk on environmental protection law , and free antibiotics and mefenamic acid for those who had tooth extraction.

The club also provided food and water to all volunteers and patients.

ALS Graduation, Brigada Eskwela, and a Joint Project with Our Sister Clubs

August started out really busy for the Rotary Club of Ibaan. On this August issue of our bulletin, we are covering three events that happened in four days.

In August 4, HCP Marge Aberásturi graced the ALS Graduation at Ibaan Central School and delivered an inspirational message to this year’s graduates.

The Club donated certificate jackets to the graduates so they can better safekeep the document that serves as a testament to their hard work and commitment to pursuing a better future.

 

On August 17, members of the Rotary Club of Ibaan joint our Sister Clubs for the groundbreaking ceremony of our joint project at Maximo Hernandez Memorial Integrated School.

The proposed project is for the installation of a deep well with motor pump and water tank, 20 handwashing stations, and a water drinking station.

The school has 617 students, 28 faculty members (including the principal) and 1 non-teaching staff.

This proposed high-impact project is sponsored by Rotary International District 3640 (South Korea), Rotary International District 3820 (Philippines), Rotary Club of Seoul-Saenamsam, and Rotary Club of Meycauayan Uptown (District 3770), in sisterhood with the Rotary Club of Marilao Circle, Rotary Club of Rosario, and Rotary Club of Metro Ibaan.

This two-day project focuses on connecting with the community and being one with them in creating a learning-conducive environment for students. In the process, we were able to learn more about their most pressing needs in the school and gather information on how we can better support them in the future.

Targeted beneficiaries of this project were three elementary schools in the Municipality of Ibaan: Coliat Elementary School, Bungahan Elementary School, and Quilo Integrated School. 

Every year, before the school opening, parents and teachers join forces to clean up of their respective school grounds and make repairs of school facilities. Brigada Eskwela is done in the spirit of civic unity and cooperation between parents and teachers. The Rotary Club of Ibaan, lacking funds to support donation of material things, offered to provide food to the tired parents, teachers, and students of the three elementary schools. We fed roughly 285 people in these two days of activity, in partnership with Batangas Varsitarians led by the Club’s Youth Service Chair, Mark Christian Tolentino.

Rotary Club of Ibaan Kicks Off Hope Creating Year with Empowering Training on Dishwashing Liquid Production 

On July 1st, the Rotary Club of Ibaan launched its Hope Creating Year with a unique and community-driven event aimed at economic empowerment. The activity is in support of the BIBO Negosyo District Kick-Off which featured the Rotary Community Corps of District 3820  clubs. 

Instead of opting for the usual gala or fundraiser, the Club chose to invest in human capital by hosting a hands-on training session on how to make dishwashing liquid. This training workshop, a part of the Club’s broader community outreach strategy, was notably attended by members of the new Rotary Community Corp that the Club is in the process of organizing.

Skill-Building and Economic Empowerment

The event’s objective was not merely to teach a skill but to encourage self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship among the local populace. The training session aimed to equip attendees with the skills and knowledge necessary to start small-scale production of dishwashing liquid—a commodity with consistent market demand. By doing so, the Rotary Club of Ibaan endeavored to create a ripple effect that would not only benefit individuals but also have a broader impact on the local economy.

The Rotary Community Corp: A New Initiative

The training was a significant milestone for the Rotary Community Corp (RCC), a new initiative by the Rotary Club of Ibaan. RCC is designed to bring together members of the community who wish to volunteer their time, skills, and expertise for the betterment of society. The attendance of RCC members at the training highlights the cooperative spirit between the Rotary Club and the new Community Corp, setting a tone of hands-on involvement and active participation for the rest of the fiscal year.

The Training: A Step-by-Step Guide

The training was conducted by the club’s incoming president, Hope Creating President Marge Aberásturi, who learned the step-by-step process which included both theoretical and practical sessions. Attendees were introduced to the basic ingredients required for dishwashing liquid production, safety measures, and quality control. Subsequently, they were guided through the hands-on process of creating the product, complete with opportunities for one-on-one instruction to clarify any questions or concerns.

Community Feedback and Future Plans

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed gratitude for a program that provided them with tangible skills and economic opportunities. The success of the event has encouraged the Rotary Club of Ibaan to plan a series of similar workshops covering various skill sets that can offer economic benefits to the community.

The Rotary Club of Ibaan’s kick-off activity showcases a thoughtful and impactful approach to community engagement and economic empowerment. By teaching attendees how to produce a basic household commodity like dishwashing liquid, the Club has provided them with a means of self-reliance and potentially a new revenue stream. The event is emblematic of Rotary’s ethos—Service Above Self—and serves as a promising indicator of what the Club and its newly-formed Community Corp aim to achieve in the coming year.

Dishwashing Liquid Training
Livelihood Training Workshop