Prime Waste Solutions (PWS) Pampanga and Prime Infra Foundation collected around 1,000 kilograms of waste during a cleanup drive in Barangay Planas, Porac, Pampanga on August 1, 2025.

The initiative, conducted in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-MENRO), Barangay Planas Council, Planas National High School, and local volunteers, focused on clearing a creek near the barangay hall and the school.

A total of 129 volunteers joined the effort.

“Cleanups are commonly a challenge for communities, especially after every typhoon,” said Prime Infra Foundation Programs and Operations Head Bernadette Tan.

Barangay Planas Captain Alfer Nacu emphasized the health benefits of community cleanups, especially during the rainy season when the risk of dengue increases.

Sana tuloy-tuloy pa ‘yung mga joint cleanup drive natin na ito para mapanatili nating malinis ang ating barangay (I hope these joint cleanup drives continue so we can keep our barangay clean),” Nacu said.

DENR-MENRO’s Engr. Francis Hernandez underscored the role of individual responsibility in waste management and praised the private sector’s support.

“Mga ganyang sector po o private company ang hinahanap namin — mga partner na tumutulong sa amin sa gawain para maproteksyunan ang ating environment (We’re looking for sectors or private companies like that — partners who help us in efforts to protect our environment),” he said.

To support future efforts, PWS Pampanga and the Foundation donated cleanup tools and waterproof boots to DENR-MENRO and the barangay.

PWS Pampanga, a unit of Prime Infra, operates the only large-scale materials recovery facility in Luzon, promoting resource recovery through sorting, segregation, and recycling.

What do you think of private sector efforts like this in advancing local environmental management? Join the conversation.

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