Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez launched a “Trash to Cashback” program at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Monday morning, September 5.

Benitez said the program is geared towards eliminating Bacolod’s garbage by enabling residents to earn from it, since waste segregation in the city has been talked about for years but has not succeeded.

However, if waste segregation in incentivized people will be encouraged to do it, he said.

The Trash to Cashback program first pop-up center in the Visayas that offers a waste-to-goods exchange was installed at the BCGC.

It is a tie-up between waste management company Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies Inc. (BEST) and cashback loyalty platform bXTRA Philippines.

The initiative follows a specific point matrix per recyclable item and the points can be used to purchase groceries, goods, and services from the bXTRA application or at its onsite center at the BCGC.

Under the program residents can exchange garbage such as paper, plastics and metals for environmental points.

The plan is for the city to eventually have a centralized waste recovery recycling complex, Benitez said.

Eventually the goal is to give money for those who segregate their waste in the barangays, he said.

The mayor said even used cooking oil that is dangerous to the health if reused can be collected and converted into diesel to fuel shredders and grass cutters.

Benitez, after the flag ceremony at the BCGC, also called on the city employees to forget political colors and factions, and unite to serve the people of Bacolod well.

They mayor said he wears white because there should be no political colors in the city government.

All of you here are being relied on by the people of Bacolod to deliver the services they are looking for, Benitez said.

Every time you come to work remember that there are people waiting out there who need your help, he said.

“Let us be united, led us work together and let us make sure the service they are looking for is done well,” he said.*