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When you think of Iloilo City, you picture its rich culture, warm people, and beautifully preserved heritage. But like many fast-growing cities in the Philippines, it’s fighting a major waste management challenge. With over 314 metric tons of garbage produced daily, the need for smarter, more efficient systems has never been more urgent. That’s why the launch of Project AGUBAY is such a big win — not just for Ilonggos, but for any city looking to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
A Community-Centered Approach to Waste Management
Iloilo City, home to nearly half a million residents, continues to grapple with plastic pollution across its rivers and coastal areas. To help address this, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI), Central Philippine University (CPU), and the Iloilo City Government joined forces to introduce Project AGUBAY, a data-driven Solid Waste Management Information System (SWM-IS) that spans all 180 barangays.
The name AGUBAY, an Ilonggo term that means “to support, guide, or help,” also represents its vision: Awareness, Guidance, Unity, Biodiversity, Action, and Yield.
Why Iloilo City Needed a Smarter Solution
Years of rising plastic use especially during the pandemic strained the city’s waste infrastructure, including material recovery facilities that weren’t operating at full capacity. With 26 barangays situated in riverine and coastal zones, the environmental impact has been even more pronounced.
In a statement, Cecile Alcantara, President of CCFPI, emphasized the project’s inclusive vision, noting that Project AGUBAY ensures no barangay gets left behind by combining digital innovation with community empowerment.
How Project AGUBAY’s SWM-IS Works
At the heart of the project is the Solid Waste Management Information System, a centralized digital platform designed to:
Strengthen planning in 152 barangays
Helps barangays formulate and update their Ecological Solid Waste Management programs based on real-time data.
Build a citywide waste database
Provides a single platform for tracking, reporting, and governance, a first for Iloilo.
Improve collection and segregation
Deploys Barangay Material Recovery System (BMRS) tools to boost diversion and recycling.
Boost digital literacy and accountability
Through CPU-led training, barangay officials learn how to track and electronically submit their reports.
Project Lead Dr. Mary O’ Penetrante of CPU shared that every barangay has its own unique waste challenges. With real-time data at their fingertips, they can finally design solutions that match community needs instead of relying on guesswork.
Digital Tools Empowering Local Leaders
With the SWM-IS now in motion, barangay leaders can better monitor their waste activities, while the City General Services Office can respond faster and more strategically. This creates a smoother, more transparent line of communication between all stakeholders, a big step forward in strengthening accountability and sustainability.
Photos from the orientation and digital training show barangay officials enthusiastically learning the new system, a promising sign for long-term adoption.
A Model Other Cities Can Follow
Project AGUBAY is expected to be formally turned over to the Iloilo City Government by January 2026, ensuring long-term continuity even after the grant period. If successful, it could serve as a blueprint for other Philippine cities looking to modernize their waste systems.
As CCFPI emphasized, the initiative reinforces their mission to support improved waste collection, sorting, and recycling through collective action, something that’s becoming increasingly vital for urban communities nationwide.
A Digital Step Toward a Cleaner Future
Project AGUBAY is a powerful reminder that when LGUs, private organizations, and schools work together, real change happens. If Iloilo can make digital waste management work across 180 diverse barangays, it could inspire cities across the country to follow suit.
If you're an Ilonggo, now’s the perfect time to get involved starting with proper segregation and supporting your barangay’s waste initiatives. Small local actions, backed by smart digital tools, can lead to big environmental wins.