Eleven barangays in Cebu City have been selected as pilot areas for the Balik-Bote Program, a waste recovery initiative launched through a partnership between the Cebu City Government and San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) to encourage the collection and reuse of returnable glass bottles.
Implemented by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) in collaboration with SMB, the program supports the city’s waste diversion campaign by promoting the retrieval of returnable glass bottles for reuse rather than disposal.
The initiative is expected to help reduce the volume of glass waste ending up in landfills while encouraging proper solid waste management at the community level.
The pilot rollout covers the barangays of Apas, Basak San Nicolas, Luz, Carreta, Kasambagan, Mabolo, Tinago, San Jose, Inayawan, Tejero, and Kalunasan.
Under the program, SMB will buy back used returnable bottles of its bottled products, with the purchase price depending on the bottle’s size or milliliter (mL) capacity. The company also urged residents to return bottles that are clean and unbroken.
Mayor Nestor Archival led the launch alongside representatives from San Miguel Brewery Inc., City Councilor Joel Garganera, chairperson of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, City Councilor Harry Eran, CCENRO Head Engr. Editha Peros, and Barangay Luz Councilor Nida Cabrera.
During the event, Archival expressed his appreciation to SMB for partnering with the city government and called on residents and barangays to support the initiative.
‘Kani atong gihimo karon in cooperation with San Miguel, salamat kaayo nila, together with the city government ug sa mga barangay. Usa ni sa atong diversion program. This is not that big, pero kung magsugod ta, mag-anam ta kadako. Naa tay mga initiatives nga gihimo, akong gihangyo nga atong pagatabangan [What we are doing today, in cooperation with San Miguel, is something we are truly grateful for. We thank them, as well as the city government and our barangays, for working together on this initiative. This is one of our waste diversion programs. It may not be a big project yet, but if we start now, it will continue to grow. We already have several initiatives in place, and I am asking everyone to support them],’ said Mayor Archival.
The initiative also has the support of San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation (SMYPC), which will accept all types of glass bottles, including non-SMB bottles.
Through the company’s waste exchange program, participants may receive rice or other San Miguel products in exchange for recyclable glass.
City officials said the Balik-Bote Program is part of Cebu City’s continuing efforts to strengthen waste management through partnerships with the private sector and community participation, advancing its goal of building a cleaner and greener city.