The Circular Biohubs Project, an initiative under the Policy and Alliances component of the European Union–Philippines Green Economy Partnership, continues to gain strong participation from Bacolod City’s private sector in advancing operational plans for one of the city’s first decentralized organic waste valorization hubs.
At the forefront of this cooperation is Ayala Malls Capitol Central, which reinforced its support for the Bacolod Circular Biohubs Project by convening its food tenants, project partners, and local stakeholders for an orientation on organic waste segregation and circular economy solutions held Tuesday at the mall’s Sunshine Room. The activity also gathered representatives from the mall administration, GIZ Philippines, La Consolacion College Bacolod, Barangay 8, and private sector partners.
Mr. Terence Paul Dacles, Senior Advisor of GIZ Philippines, emphasized that the initiative reflects the broader objectives of the European Union–Philippines Green Economy Partnership in demonstrating practical community-based solutions for waste reduction, climate action, and inclusive green growth. “The success of circular economy projects lies in the ability of local stakeholders to transform policy into everyday practice. Bacolod is showing how partnerships between communities, business, and academia can create scalable models for the Philippines,” Dacles said.
Dr. Rodjhun B. Navarro, project director and Vice President for Research, Innovations, and Linkages of La Consolacion College Bacolod, said the partnership with Ayala Malls demonstrates how private sector engagement can accelerate the localization of circular systems. “This project is not just about waste diversion. It is about creating community enterprises, reducing methane emissions, strengthening food systems, and ensuring that the circular economy creates opportunities for informal workers, and grassroots communities,” Navarro said.
Ms. Sharon Ciocon, manager of Ayala Malls Capitol Central, expressed optimism over the project’s long-term potential. “We hope that this initiative will be successful because we are already looking at the possibility of replicating the same model across Ayala Malls nationwide,” Ciocon said. She also announced that the mall will provide a designated retail space for Barangay 8 beneficiaries to market products developed through the Circular Biohubs initiative, including compost-based produce, urban garden products, and other community-generated goods.
Hon. Evelyn Donesa welcomed the partnership and said Barangay 8 is committed to becoming a demonstration site for circular community enterprises. “This is a milestone for our barangay. Through this partnership, we are not only addressing waste, but also creating livelihood opportunities and inspiring other barangays to do the same,” Donesa said.
Also joining the orientation was IF Green Technologies Inc., which introduced its used cooking oil collection and biofuel recovery system to participating food establishments. CEO Engr. Ian Fred Solas committed to support the Circular Biohubs site by installing a demonstration indoor gardening solution at the Barangay 8 site inside Ayala Malls Capitol Central, complementing the project’s urban food production component.
Project officials said construction of the Barangay 8 Circular Biohubs facility at Ayala Malls Capitol Central will begin by the last week of May, while the training and demonstration facility at the LCCB Amistad Center is nearing completion. On May 22, project operators and partners are expected to convene at the Amistad Center for technical training on the fundamentals of circular economy systems, black soldier fly larvae processing, and vermicomposting as part of the next phase of implementation.
Apart from promoting circular economy in Bacolod City, the Circular Biohubs Project can potentially attract foreign investments, particularly from European firms, with Philippines as entry point to Southeast Asia’s growing green economy sector
—
Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the European Union-Philippines Green Economy Partnership is part of EU’s Global Gateway initiative - the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy. Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), this priority programme of the European Union in the Philippines links European and Filipino partners from the private sector and the local government to foster a circular economy while sustaining economic growth that benefits all Filipinos.
The Policy and Alliances component of the programme – co-funded with a €12 million grant from the European Union and a €1 million contribution from the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety and implemented by GIZ Philippines and DENR-Environmental Management Bureau – support policy development and fosters strong partnerships.
Learn more at: www.greeneconomy.ph.
For media inquiries, please contact Marky Tumalad (mark.tumalad@giz.de).