Epson Philippines, in partnership with WWF-Philippines, has successfully completed the Increasing Capacities for Local Environmental Action (ICLEAN) Project in Monreal, Ticao Island, Masbate, helping the community tackle pressing waste management challenges while protecting the rich marine ecosystems that sustain local livelihoods.
Located along the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS), a nationally recognized marine sanctuary known for its rich biodiversity and critical role in supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities, Monreal is one of 18 coastal municipalities responsible for safeguarding this vital marine environment. Home to approximately 7,500 households across 11 barangays, the town faces severe waste management challenges, with over 6,000 kilograms of waste generated daily—42% of which is plastic—highlighting the need for improved waste handling systems.
Addressing Critical Environmental Challenges
Before the program, Monreal’s residual containment facility struggled to keep up with growing waste volumes. Limited storage capacity left communities vulnerable to unmanaged waste, with plastic pollution posing a serious threat to the surrounding marine ecosystem. Much of the waste consisted of recyclable materials, including laminated sachets, plastic bags, and drinking straws, that frequently ended up in the ocean.
The ICLEAN Project responded with a comprehensive approach that combined infrastructure upgrades, technology support, and capacity building. These efforts resulted in a 49.77% increase in waste storage capacity at Monreal’s residual containment facility, contributing to cleaner streets, healthier neighborhoods, and improved public health conditions.
“‘Engineered for Good’ is a standard we live by,” said Masako Kusama, President and Director of Epson Philippines. “By working directly with communities like Monreal, we help people gain the resources and skills they need to shape a more secure future while protecting the marine resources their livelihoods depend on.”
Technological Solutions for Local Action
A key element of the program was the provision of a plastic shredder to the local government of Monreal, markedly increasing their ability to process plastic waste and sustain eco-brick production—an existing initiative that uses 1.5-liter PET bottles filled with shredded plastic as building materials for local construction projects. This technology transfer strengthens Monreal’s recycling efforts and creates added value from materials once considered waste.
Extensive training sessions were also held for local government and barangay officials, as well as waste collectors, covering solid waste management laws, effective waste segregation techniques, and strategies to reduce plastic waste at the source. These sessions ensure that local waste management systems remain effective long after the program’s conclusion.
Education for Long-Term Change
Recognizing that sustainable change starts with awareness, the program engaged young people through environmental learning sessions across elementary and high schools in Monreal. Hundreds of students participated, gaining practical knowledge about plastic pollution and the importance of the 3Rs—reduce, reuse, recycle.
“Sustainability must connect directly to people’s lives,” said Jun Narvadez, Jr., Donsol Integrated Conservation Program Manager of WWF-Philippines. “Through this partnership, we’re helping people see that they can drive meaningful change. The most effective solutions are the ones that start with people and grow through their leadership.”
By empowering young residents with the knowledge and skills to care for their environment, the program helps cultivate a generation of sustainability advocates equipped to make lasting contributions to their communities.
Protecting a Vital Marine Ecosystem
For coastal communities like Monreal, the health of marine ecosystems is more than just an environmental concern. This is now a matter of survival and economic security. As part of the TBPPS, these waters provide critical fishing grounds and marine biodiversity that sustain thousands of livelihoods. However, increasing plastic pollution disrupts this balance, threatening fish habitats, contaminating water sources, and placing long-term food security at risk.
Through the ICLEAN Project, improved waste management systems are helping prevent plastic waste from reaching the sea, protecting vital breeding grounds, and supporting healthier marine ecosystems. These efforts ensure that fishing communities can continue to rely on the resources that sustain their way of life, securing both environmental and economic futures for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
Building on the success in Monreal, Epson and WWF-Philippines are actively working to bring similar programs to additional communities surrounding the TBPPS. The goal is to establish a connected network of environmentally responsible municipalities working together to protect their shared marine environment and strengthen community resilience.
“Our commitment is clear: to be responsible partners in sustainability—supporting communities, enabling livelihoods, and advancing solutions that create lasting, positive change,” Kusama added.
