Naga City Pilots Expanded Waste Management Operations Training with Coca-Cola, TESDA

Coca-Cola Philippines, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the City Government of Naga, and the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) have formalized a partnership to deliver the Solid Waste Management Operations (SWMO) Level III Training Program in Naga City. This marks the first official rollout of the program under the expanded Trash Free Pilipinas Program (TFPP) framework.

Lead representatives Maria Christine Ponce-Garcia, Senior Director for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Philippines; Hon. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Mayor of Naga City; TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez and other officials from TESDA, Coca-Cola Philippines and City Government of Naga pose after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Solid Waste Management Operations (SWMO) Level III Training Program.

The Memorandum of Agreement signing and Training Induction Program (TIP) were held on June 17, 2026, at Sitio Pasto, Barangay Cararayan, Naga City. bringing together national and local government agencies, academic partners, community representatives, and private sector stakeholders to launch a training initiative aimed at strengthening local capacities in ecological solid waste management.

The event was attended by TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, and Coca-Cola Philippines Senior Director for Public Affairs, Sustainability & Communications Christine Ponce-Garcia.

Helping build local capacity for waste management

As local governments work to meet the requirements of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, many Local Government Units (LGUs) and barangays continue to face capacity gaps, particularly in technical planning, waste segregation practices, and community-level implementation. The SWMO Level III Training Program is designed to help address these challenges.

The training program equips barangay officials, LGU personnel, and environmental workers with practical skills in waste management planning, materials recovery operations, waste segregation systems, information and education campaigns, enterprise development, and local policy formulation. Participants complete a combination of classroom learning, fieldwork and applied outputs, including the development of barangay solid waste management plans.

The event formally welcomes the first batch of participants to the SWMO Level III Training Program, bringing together trainees and partners committed to strengthening local waste management systems in Naga City.

“Solid waste management should be recognized and supported like any other essential profession. Programs like this help strengthen technical capability at the barangay level while opening opportunities to skills recognition and employment.” said Ponce-Garcia.

Naga City was selected as the first rollout site under the expanded TFPP framework based on its existing and active solid waste management programs and high levels of community participation. The site will serve as a learning reference and a demonstration model for other LGUs across the country, considering similar training approaches.

“Naga City has long been committed to responsible waste management, but we know there is always more we can do. This program strengthens the people doing the work on ground, our barangay officials, and frontline workers.” said Robredo. “It supports a more consistent and effective approach to waste management across our communities.”

Clear roles for implementation

TESDA serves as the lead technical institution for the SWMO Level III Training Program, overseeing curriculum development, training delivery standards and requirements, accreditation and national program institutionalization.

Meanwhile, CASIFMAS is responsible for local training implementation in Naga City. The City Government of Naga provides the training site and supports participant coordination, monitoring, and community engagement. Coca-Cola Philippines supports the program through framework development and support for test training runs, working alongside government and academic partners.

“This is another proof of how tech-voc builds the nation, as the SWMO Level III program allows us to equip LGUs and barangays with skills that will make real environmental impact,” said Benitez. “TESDA is proud to help upgrade our solid waste management systems, which will ultimately benefit the Filipino people,” said Benitez.

The first batch of participants includes barangay officers and solid waste management personnel from across Naga City.

From pilot training to a national training program

The Trash Free Pilipinas Program traces its roots to consultations by Coca-Cola Philippines conducted in 2021 in Pavia, Iloilo, and Bacolod City, where barangay officials identified and highlighted persistent challenges in implementing RA 9003.

In response, Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA co-developed a grassroots training program model, first piloted in Angono, Rizal in 2022 under the National Solid Waste Management Training Program.

The Angono pilot ran for approximately 22 days and combined classroom instruction, fieldwork, and community consultations. Of the 36 initial enrollees, 29 completed the program and produced barangay solid waste management plans, information education campaign materials (IEC), enterprise concepts, and draft ordinances.

Since then, the program has expanded its trainer base, strengthened LGU partnerships, developed regional lead trainers, and established linkages to livelihood initiatives related to recyclable materials and small enterprise development, while also helping enable access togreen financing for waste workers and microentrepreneurs. TESDA is now institutionalizing SWMO Level III as part of its national green skills and technical-vocational education offerings.

Shared commitment to stronger local systems

The Naga City rollout reflects what multi-sectoral collaboration can accomplish when the government, communities, academic institutions and the private sector work toward a shared goal of strengthening local solid waste management systems.

Coca-Cola Philippines, TESDA, and the City Government of Naga will continue working with partners to support skills development, implementation capacity, and community-based waste management initiatives.

For more information about Coca-Cola Philippines programs related to packaging recovery and waste management, visit https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability.