Pagpag is a Tagalog term for waste or leftover food, thrown out from restaurants and fast-food chains.

Meaning to “shake off the dirt”, it is scavenged in landfills around the Philippines as a source of nutrition
for the financially destitute. A result of the extreme poverty present, as well as the growing gap between
the wealthy and impoverished, its resurgence of late is blatant testimony of the failing socio-political
systems in place. The extent of which is stark: 12 million Filipinos experience involuntary hunger daily, as
surveyed in 2015.

Despite a rigorous self-disciplined process of repeated cleansing and deep-frying, consuming Pagpag
remains a critically dangerous and nutritionally insufficient practice. Consequentially, it is widely banned
in the Philippines, in what can only be construed as simply missing the point. Moreover, there is an
established, organised and functioning market for the leftover food products: collectors, suppliers, and
cooks all play a pivotal role for countless of, predominantly adolescent, Filipinos. Outright banning the
practice, therefore, is a gross mismanagement to finding a solution for the challenge. Unfortunately,
given the recent congressional election results, as well as historically deep-set inequity and nepotism
within politics, it is a not a surprise that the situation has deteriorated.

Regardless of any number of factors, basic food security must be a right for all individuals, and scrutiny
for those responsible should be outspoken. Constructively solving the Pagpag problem, therefore, is the
next necessary step. This is summarised and can be broken down into the following matters:

1. [Private] Introducing a Circular Economy system:

It may be as simple as connecting the two components of excess consumer food and poorer
communities, or it may involve a basic form of a purchase agreement. By eliminating the food dump
sites, and thus reducing the probability of spoilt and hazardous items, we can tackle the fundamental
issue involved in consuming Pagpag. It is a simple solution yet would be highly effective if implemented
fairly.

2. [Regulatory] Government intervention:

As opposed to banning the consumption and production of Pagpag, ensuring that there is minimal food
waste must be cornerstone. Policies in place to enforce restaurants and fast-food chains to divert non-
used waste food into communities is an option, given that the food is inspected for health and safety
standards.

3. [Overarching] Political amelioration:

A general theme that is particularly prevalent in the Philippines is nepotism within government.
Generally tackling the problem of popularity over qualification within party candidates will not only
improve the issue of food waste, but also help reduce other issues across the socioeconomic spectrum.

The most feasible and simple option would be to tackle the challenge from a private B2C perspective.
However, it would need government help in enforcing the Circular Economy policy, as well as input in
terms of health officials that can moderate the transfer of non-consumed food waste into poor
communities. Regardless, it must be tackled, and with the incredible resolve I have personally seen of
the Philippine locals, can be accomplished given the right government and authoritative bodies.