Barangay Tejeros tops Coca-Cola Philippines’ Barangay Tapon to Ipon Initiative
Editor’s note: This press release is sponsored by Coca-Cola Philippines and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.
Barangay Tejeros in Makati City has proven how shared goals can turn everyday recycling into a lasting community practice. Recognized as the top-performing barangay in Coca-Cola Philippines’ Barangay Tapon to Ipon program, Barangay Tejeros demonstrated how shared action strengthened community bonds, improved waste segregation, and encouraged inclusive recycling.
The awarding ceremony, held at the Barangay Tejeros basketball court, culminated in a community fiesta featuring games and activities. After placing second the previous year, Barangay Tejeros rose to the top spot in the latest run of the program, reflecting sustained participation and commitment across the community.
CONTEST TURNED TRADITION. Through interactive games, prizes, and shared merienda, Barangay Tejeros celebrated their achievement while reinforcing recycling as a fun, inclusive, and owned community practice.
Recognizing grassroots recycling efforts
Barangay Tapon to Ipon is a yearly, nationwide community recycling initiative powered by Coca-Cola Philippines in partnership with barangays, local leaders, and sari-sari store owners. The program engaged barangays, residents, and sari-sari stores across Metro Manila to collect and properly segregate PET bottles. The initiative supports implementing the Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, while helping build sustainable recycling habits at the grassroots level.
This year, 20 barangays around Metro Manila joined the friendly competition, collecting PET bottles while strengthening waste segregation and recycling practices. The awarding ceremony recognized the barangays’ collective effort, highlighting the role of residents, youth volunteers, and sari-sari stores in driving impact at the local level.
Barangay Tejeros collected nearly 40,000 PET bottles, equivalent to 698 kg, followed by Barangay 114 in Caloocan City in second place with a collection of about 21,000 PET bottles (375 kg,) and Barangay Moonwalk in Parañaque City for third place with 17,000 PET bottles (310 kg.)
Barangay Chairman Wilfredo S. Leonardo said visible results motivated their community to stay engaged and take pride in their efforts. “Noong nakaraang taon po, second place lang kami. Siyempre, gusto na naming maging number one. Kaya nang dumating ang pagkakataong ito, sinabi ko talaga sa mga kasamahan ko na gagawin namin ang lahat para makuha ang number one,” Leonardo said. “Pinasasalamatan po namin ang Coca-Cola sa patuloy na pagpili sa’ming barangay upang maging bahagi ng programang ito. Kaya inalagaan at sinuportahan namin nang husto ang aming pagsali dito.”
(“Last year, we were only in second place. Of course, we wanted to be number one. That’s why when this opportunity came around, I encouraged everyone to do our best so we can be number one.” Leonardo said. “We are grateful for Coca-Cola for consistently inviting us to join their program. We will continue supporting and joining this cause.”)
GENUINE SUSTAINABILITY. Barangay Tejeros were awarded tools to help sustain recycling and cleanliness initiatives, supporting the community’s efforts to keep participation strong beyond the campaign.
Along with their recognition, Barangay Tejeros was given ten Coca-Cola stools made from recycled plastic: a Barangay Tapon to Ipon tent, Coca-Cola beverages for community events, and a Premium Linis Barangay Kit with cleaning and safety supplies. The barangay plans to integrate these into existing programs and continue encouraging participation from households and sari-sari stores.
Sustaining momentum beyond the campaign
For Coca-Cola Philippines, the nationwide recycling initiative forms part of a broader collection initiative, which includes over 6,000 collection points nationwide. The aim is to bring the collected bottles to PETValue Philippines, the country’s first food-grade bottle-to-bottle recycling facility located in General Trias, Cavite. PETValue Philippines processes used PET bottles and transforms them into recycled PET (rPET), which can be used to produce new food-grade beverage bottles.
“Programs like Barangay Tapon to Ipon foster the spirit of bayanihan, bringing communities together to achieve a shared goal,” said Tony Del Rosario, president of Coca-Cola Philippines and vice president for franchise operations east of Coca‑Cola Far East Limited (CCFEL). “By making recycling fun and engaging, we help barangays build a culture of sustainability, where collective action at the grassroots creates ripple effects that can help strengthen recycling practices in communities across the country.”
Through this effort, Coca-Cola Philippines continues its commitment to collection and sustainability by working alongside barangays and local partners to turn local action into long-term recycling habits and responsible waste management.
To learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability initiatives, visit the company’s Sustainability Hub at www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/sustainability. – Rappler.com
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