Who would’ve thought that campaign posters and plastic waste from the last elections could end up as marketable products? Iloilo is making it happen—transforming political clutter into practical treasures through an ambitious upcycling drive.
Launched on September 9, 2025 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, the Weave Out Waste (WOW) Limpyo Iloilo program gives a second life to post-election plastic collected during Limpyo Eleksyon 2025.
The initiative is spearheaded by the provincial government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines and The Coca-Cola Foundation, positioning Iloilo as a trailblazer in the circular economy of Western Visayas.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran lauded Iloilo’s forward-looking vision.
“By transforming post-election plastic wastes collected through Limpyo Eleksyon 2025, Iloilo is demonstrating how waste can be given a second life and turned into marketable products,” he said, adding that the project also empowers women’s groups, the informal waste sector, and marginalized communities.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, speaking on behalf of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., stressed that solid waste is a solvable problem if leaders commit to bold action.
“Solid waste management is a problem that we can address if we have the will and determination to put up local administration policies in our programs and projects in the city and municipalities,” Banias said.
The WOW program is rooted in Executive Orders 265 (2022) and 42 (2025), which institutionalized the Limpyo Eleksyon for MoRProGRes cleanup drive. It also complements Defensor’s Balik-Alat initiative, which seeks to revive traditional handwoven baskets as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags.
More than just cleaning up election leftovers, WOW equips communities with skills in design, prototyping, and upcycling—turning tarpaulins, plastic scraps, and other discards into functional goods.
The three-year project is supported by partner municipalities Banate, Dumangas, Passi City, Pototan, and Iloilo City, as well as national agencies, local governments, and the private sector.IMT
