A total of 372.5 kilograms of PET bottles have been collected through the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (CCCI) Flood Hero Cebu Movement, highlighting the growing support of educational institutions in transforming plastic waste into practical environmental solutions.
Since the initiative’s rollout, participating schools have contributed significant volumes of plastic bottles through strategically installed receptacle bins.
According to CCCI’s database, the University of the Visayas collected 33 kilograms in November 2025, followed by the College of Technological Sciences-Cebu with 63 kilograms in December 2025. The University of San Jose-Recoletos recovered 100 kilograms in February 2026, while Cebu Institute of Technology-University recorded the highest volume at 151.5 kilograms in March 2026.
Most recently, Southwestern University-PHINMA collected 25 kilograms in April 2026.
The latest installation of a Flood Hero receptacle bin is now located at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), where students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to deposit used PET bottles. The bin will remain on campus until August to maximize collection efforts and promote environmental awareness among the university community.
Every plastic bottle dropped into the receptacle is given a second purpose Rather than ending up in waterways and contributing to flooding and pollution, collected PET bottles are sorted and prepared for repurposing into environmental river interceptors or floating booms.
These materials are endorsed to the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), which utilizes them in constructing floating boom systems installed in rivers and waterways.
These structures help intercept floating waste before it reaches the sea, supporting efforts to reduce plastic pollution, improve water flow, and mitigate flooding in urban areas.
The installation at USPF was made possible through the support and coordination of Dr. Janet Arcana, Vice President for Support Services and External Affairs, and Grace Clabisillas, Student Affairs Services Director. Their collaboration enabled the university to join a growing network of academic institutions supporting the Flood Hero Cebu Movement.
Prior to the USPF deployment, CCCI facilitated the retrieval of PET bottles from the previous installation at Southwestern University-PHINMA, contributing to the steadily increasing volume of plastics recovered through the campaign.
Beyond waste collection, organizers said the initiative serves as an educational platform that demonstrates how discarded plastic can be transformed into practical environmental solutions through collective community action.
By encouraging responsible waste disposal, the movement empowers students and communities to take an active role in environmental protection and flood resilience.
The campaign continues to expand its reach, with Cebu Technological University (CTU) already confirming its participation as the next host institution for a Flood Hero receptacle bin.
CCCI said it is also engaging with other academic institutions and stakeholders interested in supporting the initiative.