In coastal towns like Pio Duran, Albay, how waste is managed on an everyday basis can make a lasting difference both for the environment and for the communities that depend on it. Through a practical, community-led initiative, Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) partnered with World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) and completed the Pio Duran Waste Management Enhancement Project, helping strengthen local waste systems.
The initiative reflects Epson’s “Engineered for Good,” a campaign that shows how the company applies its innovation and partnerships to create lasting impact.
As a coastal municipality within the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, Pio Duran plays an important role in protecting marine habitats that support fishing, tourism, and local livelihoods. However, gaps in waste collection and limited recycling access have contributed to plastic leakage into waterways and mangrove areas, affecting coastal ecosystems and local livelihoods. Strengthening how waste is managed at the barangay level remains critical, as these communities serve as the first point of collection and control.
To address this, the project focused on improving everyday waste handling practices through practical, locally managed solutions.
Five padyak collection units were deployed across three barangays, expanding access to households that previously had limited or irregular collection. With these in place, communities are now able to maintain more consistent waste pickup, with an average of 367.5 kilograms of mixed waste and 132.5 kilograms of plastic waste collected each week. 
Six segregation bins were installed in high-traffic areas, including the municipal port and a mangrove ecotourism site. These bins collect up to 21 kilograms of waste per week, helping reduce the amount of plastic that reaches coastal and marine environments.
Padyak unit in use in by a waste collector in Brgy. Marigondon.
At the municipal level, recycling capacity was strengthened through the provision of a plastic extruder, which complements an existing shredder. This allows collected plastic to be processed into usable materials such as eco-bricks, supporting waste diversion efforts within the community and reducing reliance on external disposal.
The plastic extruder machine was received with the following present (from left to right): Nickell Bailon (WWF Communications Officer), Sharmaine De Guzman (WWF Admin Assistant), Cavin Vibar (WWF Site Coordinator), John Robert Lipata (WWF Site Coordinator), Manuel Narvadez Jr. (WWF Program Manager, Bicol Program), Mayor Angie C. Arandia, Catherine Sy (MENRO ESWM Focal Person), Richelle Bañadera (WWF Site Coordinator), Antonio Oliver (Oliver’s Welding Shop), Henry Pocaan (Brgy. Marigondon Captain), and Alberto Lumangaya (Brgy. Banawan Captain).
Capability building was a key component of the project. A two-day training program engaged 65 participants from 19 barangays, equipping local officials and waste workers with practical knowledge on segregation, planning, and implementation. This led to updated solid waste management plans that guide coordinated action over the next three years.
Community participation reinforced these efforts. Two cleanup drives in the Marigondon mangrove area mobilized 100 volunteers and removed 205.9 kilograms of waste from a site vulnerable to accumulation due to tidal movement and human activity. These activities also strengthened awareness of proper waste handling and shared responsibility within the community.
Pio Duran is part of the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, an area that supports marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods. As activity in coastal and tourism areas increases, stronger waste management practices play an important role in protecting these environments and sustaining local economic activity.
Masako Kusama, President and Director of Epson Philippines Corporation, said, “Engineered for Good reflects how we approach our role in society. We apply our technology and work with partners in ways that create value that can be sustained over time. Collaboration with partners like WWF and local communities helps ensure that these efforts are relevant, practical, and able to continue.”
With decades of experience guided by its philosophy of efficient, compact, and precise innovation, Epson continues to build trust by applying its expertise beyond technology: into programs that support communities and protect shared resources.
This project builds on Epson’s ongoing work in the Philippines, where partnerships are used to support local priorities and strengthen how communities manage everyday challenges. With local governments and communities continuing to carry these efforts forward, the improvements in Pio Duran provide a working foundation for more consistent and effective waste management over time. For more information about Epson, its products and services visit https://www.epson.com.ph/.
