ALLIANCES are formed to achieve common objectives. Teamwork helps in reaching goals. More hands are better than one in completing the job.

Synergy and cooperation are taking place in various aspects of our society. In the political arena, a party is gaining more support from lawmakers.

Growing its membership is political party LAKAS-CMD which is helping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to unite the Filipino people and spur development in the country.

One of the many solons who recently joined Lakas-CMD is Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab who fervently shares the organization’s advocacy for harmony, peace and progress.

Ungab took his oath on July 19, 2022 before LAKAS-CMP president and presumptive House Martin Romualdez. The ceremony was witnessed by Vice President and Lakas-CMD Chair Sara Duterte.

The solon thanked Romualdez and Duterte for accepting and welcoming him as member. The lawmaker said he is inspired to join the party in their effort to take on the difficult challenge of steering the nation towards economic recovery and working for improved welfare of the Filipino people.

Ungab, a former House Appropriations chair, acknowledged the people’s concern about the current world economic crisis. He urged his colleagues at Congress to pass laws needed to rebuild the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty and ensure the delivery of social services.

“We will work doubly hard to secure a better future for our nation,” Ungab said.

Meanwhile, another alliance has transpired in the field of environmental protection.

San Miguel Corporation’s packaging unit San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. (SMYPC) has signed on to boost Quezon City’s trash-to-cashback program to help divert garbage away from landfills.

Together with waste solutions and technology partners, SMYPC is also eyeing to expand the program to Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said SMYPC is joining the program to lend its expertise on circular economy—in particular, recycling of glass, which had been the missing component of the ongoing initiative.

The “Trash-to-Cashback” program, implemented by the QC Government in partnership with waste management solutions firm Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST, Inc.) and technology partner BXTRA Philippines (bXTRA), utilizes the firms’ “My Basurero” app which accepts requests for waste collection, including recyclables.

It encourages citizens to be more conscientious about waste segregation. Through the program, they are able to exchange their recyclables and single-use plastics for “environmental points’ which they can use to pay for utility bills such as electricity, water, and internet services through the Bayad App; avail grocery items through the Trash to Cashback Mart, and order food deliveries from the partner merchants.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, along with QC Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department Head Andrea Villaroman, welcomed the addition of SMYPC as a partner to the program.

While the program had been making headway in the recovery of recyclables and single-use plastics, it had not been able to include glass wastes in its collection as there was previously no partner that could process the materials properly and sustainably.

SMYPC is now on board and has committed to purchase all glass and cullet to be collected, which it will then recycle and make into new glass products. SMYPC’s glass business uses a significant percentage of recycled glass in its manufacturing line.

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