The next time you see his familiar face while you walk along Rizal Avenue, you may want to give him a warm smile and buy his products. He is Jonel Dotor of of Brgy. Bancao-Bancao here in Puerto Princesa City.
Although challenged with a disability in his eye – he makes beautiful plants out of recycled plastic bottles. Jonel personally collects the materials from trash and sells each at P80 to P100. With his ‘eye’ for beauty – he recreates them into decorative flowers and plants that adorns somebody’s home or office.
Environmentalist Edong Magpayo tells in his FB post that Jonel has been doing this business for 12 years already. He was able to raise his family by making money out of recycling what is thought to be useless items. Earning P100 to P600 maximum in a day – Jonel was able to sustain raising 4 kids – 3 of whom are in elementary and the youngest is a months old baby.
“Ang kanyang gawaing ito ay maihahanay sa tawag na “Circular Economy” na kung saan ang kanyang mga naiipong plastic na botelya ay mas naging produktibo,” Magpayo said.
Magpayo said that Dotor should be given acknowledgement, being an advocate of 3R’s or Reduce, Reuse and Recycle