Puerto Princesa City — August 12, 2025 | In celebration of International Youth Day, 97 energetic grade school students of Sicsican Elementary School became the newest advocates for a cleaner and greener future during the Circular Economy Educational Roadshow led by the Project Zacchaeus Eco Kolek team.
The event, organized in partnership with the City ENRO as the local implementing partner of the Marine Environment Protection (MEP) Project in Puerto Princesa City, was co-facilitated by passionate volunteer youth leaders. Their mission: to inspire young minds to take action against plastic pollution and embrace the circular economy.
Throughout the engaging session, students learned about Solid Waste Management (SWM), the impacts of plastic pollution, and the principles of RA 9003 and the Waste Hierarchy. Demonstrations on waste segregation, role-plays, and storytelling brought the lessons to life. Students also met the Eco Warriors and discovered how Eco Kolek operates — from what recyclables are collected, to drop-off points, to the exciting door-to-door collection service.
One of the most memorable moments was the Pledge of Commitment, where students dipped their hands in colorful paint to create a visual promise to protect the environment. This symbolic act reflected their personal commitment to become young Eco Warriors in their homes, schools, and communities.
Youth volunteers played a vital role as discussion leaders, game masters, and demonstration facilitators, showing the younger participants that leadership in environmental action starts now, not later.
By the end of the roadshow, students left not only with new knowledge but also with a clear path to participate in Eco Kolek’s community-driven waste management program. The event proved that early education, youth-led engagement, and fun interactive learning can spark lifelong sustainable habits.
Eco Kolek plans to bring this model to more schools and barangays, empowering the next generation to be champions of the seas and stewards of the Earth.
Project Zacchaeus proudly announces the recognition of its founder, John Vincent Q. Gastanes, as one of Tatler Asia’s Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow, becoming the first-ever Palaweño to be included in this prestigious regional list.
Tatler Asia’s Gen.T List celebrates young leaders across Asia whose bold projects and ventures are creating meaningful, lasting impact in their communities. For Gastanes, the honor is not a personal milestone—but a testament to a decade-long mission to uplift marginalized farmers, women, and informal waste workers through innovation rooted in empathy and service.
At the heart of that mission is Project Zacchaeus (PZC), a social enterprise he founded to build equitable platforms for economic empowerment. Through PZC, Gastanes has led the development of three core initiatives:
Farm Konekt, a farmer clustering and supply chain platform connecting over 3,000 smallholder farmers to markets, financing, and training.
Juana Fresh, a women-led livelihood initiative that provides dignified jobs and sustainable food systems.
Eco Kolek, an agri-waste and circular economy initiative designed to improve the lives of informal waste pickers while promoting environmental stewardship.
Gastanes, a proud Palaweño, has long envisioned a future where people at the margins are no longer seen as recipients of aid—but as architects of sustainable economies. His leadership has brought national and regional attention to community-driven innovation, with PZC’s work now integrated into development dialogues across the BIMP-EAGA subregion.
In an interview, Gastanes shared:
“We build not because we want to be recognized, but because our people deserve better systems—systems that include them, empower them, and restore their dignity.”
He also reflected on the role of young leaders in shaping local and global futures.
“The greatest honor is not in the title—but in using that title to create space for others to rise. This is for every farmer, mother, and youth leader who believed that change starts in our own backyard.”
Project Zacchaeus joins the entire province of Palawan in celebrating this recognition—not only for John, but for every community that made this journey possible.
We believe that this is only the beginning of a wider movement—one where leadership is measured not by how far one rises, but by how many are lifted along the way.
Congratulations, John. You lead us not just with vision, but with heart.
Puerto Princesa City, June 4, 2025 — A powerful wave of collaboration swept through Puerto Princesa as Project Zacchaeus (PZC) and its Eco Kolek initiative joined forces with key partners to tackle marine plastic pollution—one community at a time. Marking a significant step forward in local marine conservation efforts, the celebration of World Ocean Day was filled with impactful activities, partnerships, and community engagement.
The day began with a strategy session at the City ENRO office, joined by representatives from PEMSEA (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia), the Korean Embassy, Palawan State University’s Beach Monitoring Team, and other partners. Discussions centered on data-driven approaches to marine plastic reduction and innovative community-based behavior change solutions.
This was followed by a courtesy visit to Mayor Lucilo Bayron, where the Marine Plastic ODA Project was formally presented. The Mayor’s expressed support provided a strong push for grassroots-led, sustainable innovation.
Participants then toured critical waste management sites, including the City’s sanitary landfill, a local junkshop, and the Circular Economy Learning Hub—an upcycled structure built through collaboration with USAID Clean Cities Blue Ocean, City ENRO, and Barangay Sicsican. Here, empowered Eco Warriors showcased how waste can be transformed into opportunity and livelihood.
This celebration underscored a vital message: when local communities, government leaders, and international partners align with a shared vision, lasting change becomes possible.
Together, we're turning the tide for plastic-free oceans.