The City Government of Tagbilaran through City Mayor Jane Yap advances upcycling initiatives through a MOA signing with Mayor Jane Yap (2nd from left), Zarah Juan (extreme, left), Pamela Manalo (2nd from right) and Maica Teves (extreme, right). The MOA signing took place on March 27, 2023 at the CPG Hall, DFA Main Office, Pasay City. Contributed photo

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran City has recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with different agencies/organizations and business corporations for the Tote-ally Green Bag Project at the Carlos P. Garcia Hall, DFA Main Office, Pasay City. 

The other upcycling MOA signatories were representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the International Bazaar Foundation Inc. (IBF), Zarah Juan and The Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran, Inc. (SPARK!) Philippines. 

The Tote-ally Green Bag will debut at the ASEAN and the flagship store of Zarah Juan on August, followed by a showcase at the highly anticipated International Bazaar in November to help usher in the start of the Christmas festivities. 

The limited edition bag, created through upcycling of plastic bags and used tarpaulins from the local community, will be featured with other products of Filipino craft during the New York Fashion Week.

The Tote-ally Green Bag Project is a new initiative that aims to turn waste into valuable resources by upcycling plastic bags and tarpaulins from the community and around the region, announced Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Cajes-Yap over the weekend. 

The project strives to achieve its goals by collaborating with stakeholders throughout the implementation. This initiative will serve as a livelihood for women in Tagbilaran City while providing them with skills and development opportunities, the mayor said in a post.

“We are proud to announce our partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the International Bazaar Foundation Inc., the City Government of Tagbilaran, and renowned designer Zarah Juan for this project,” she said.

“The limited edition bags alongside other Filipino craftsmanship of our partner communities will be participating in the New York Fashion Week which serves as a way to showcase designers’ creations with presentations and runway shows for fashion journalists and store buyers,” the Mayor added.

The Tote-ally Green Bag will be launched in the ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the flagship store of Zarah Juan in August. 

This will also be showcased in the International Bazaar on November which is one of the most anticipated bazaars that ushers in the start of Christmas festivities. It enjoys the participation of the diplomatic community as well as Filipino product exhibitors.

This initiative will contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth by addressing environmental and societal challenges, Mayor Yap noted.