Local officials, residents and private sector leaders gathered in Barangay Gibraltar recently to launch stakeholder consultations for Project re_haven, a community-based initiative aimed at scaling plastic reuse and refilling ecosystems.

The project, formally known as Strengthening Community-Based Networks for a Scalable Reuse Ecosystem, is part of the Green Economy Partnership between the European Union and the Philippines. Funded by the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the program supports the transition toward a circular economy.

Barangay Gibraltar was selected as a pilot site due to its history of civic participation and existing commitment to environmental sustainability.

“Project re_haven is more than just an environmental program — it is a call for unity,” said Nemesio Huag, the village chief of Gibraltar. “By working together, we can make Gibraltar a model for plastic reuse.”

The consultation featured local innovators who are already implementing zero-waste solutions. Among them was Elke Kayle Cadangen, co-founder of Tingi Station. Inspired by her upbringing near the city’s former dumpsite in Irisan, Cadangen launched her store in 2022 to promote reusable packaging.