BACOLOD City — The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is urging all food establishments and businesses using cooking oil to collect and donate their used oil to a city-backed biodiesel initiative aimed at promoting sustainability and supporting local livelihoods.
The measure, authored by Councilor Roberto Rojas, chairperson of the SP Committee on Energy and Utilities, calls on restaurants, eateries, and other commercial establishments to participate in the collection effort.
The used cooking oil will be donated to the Biodiesel Project spearheaded by Bacolod Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
The initiative seeks to address growing environmental concerns linked to the improper disposal of used cooking oil, which can clog drainage systems, pollute waterways, and contribute to environmental degradation.
Launched on March 30 in Barangay Taculing under the theme “Collect, Recycle, and Renew,” the Biodiesel Project aims to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel—an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
The project forms part of broader efforts to advance renewable energy solutions at the community level.
Benitez emphasized that the program transforms waste into a valuable resource while delivering tangible benefits to residents.
“This initiative is about transforming waste into a resource that directly benefits our people,” he said.
The biodiesel produced through the project is expected to support sectors heavily affected by rising fuel costs, particularly farmers and fisherfolk, Rojas said.
During the project’s rollout, biofuel products were distributed to local fisherfolk to help reduce operational expenses and promote cleaner energy use.
Rojas noted that the initiative comes at a critical time, as global oil price volatility continues to drive up fuel costs, placing additional strain on the transportation, agriculture, and fisheries sectors.
With the cooperation of local businesses, the city government hopes to strengthen its environmental sustainability efforts while providing practical economic relief to key industries, he added.
The resolution underscores the importance of collective action in ensuring the success of the biodiesel program and advancing Bacolod’s commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship./PN
