BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government formalized a farm-to-table circular economy supply chain partnership with four local farmers’ organizations and Newtown Plaza Hotel to promote sustainable agriculture, strengthen local food security and advance the city’s circular economy program, on July 6.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed among the city government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Bilis Sto. Tomas Central Farmers’ Livelihood Association, Benin Farmers’ Association, Happy Hallow Farmers’ Association and Panbiagan Di Umili Organization represented by their respective presidents Solomon Lang-ay, Dominador Galian, William Damian and Brelyn Kibasen and the Newtown Plaza Hotel represented by Managing Head Kenneth So.

The partnership is part of the city’s Pansa-nopen Tayo circular economy program under the European Union–Philippines Green Economy Partnership. It aims to establish a closed-loop food system by connecting local farmers directly with the hotel, which will source fresh vegetables, legumes, coffee and other agricultural products from the participating associations.

Newtown Plaza Hotel will procure locally grown produce, integrate it into its food services, and properly segregate food waste generated from its operations. The City Government will collect and process the organic waste using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology and composting facilities before converting it into organic fertilizer for use by the farmers, completing the circular supply chain. – Aileen P.Refuerzo