RC Makati, in partnership with P&A Grant Thornton, held a pivotal Sustainability Forum titled “Unwrapping Change: Transforming the Philippines from its Plastic Legacy Through EPR” on June 20, 2024. The event took place at the P&A Grant Thornton office in Makati and was also broadcast live via Microsoft Teams, attracting a diverse audience committed to environmental sustainability.
The Philippines faces a critical issue with plastic pollution, generating an alarming 2.7 million tons of plastic waste annually. A significant portion of this waste ends up in landfills and various water bodies, contributing to severe environmental degradation. The forum aimed to address this pressing issue by exploring Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a strategic solution.
The program began with an invocation led by Dir. Bom Villatuya, followed by messages from RC Makati Pres. Bing Matoto and Romualdo V. Murcia, Chairman and Managing Partner of P&A Grant Thornton.
Keynote speaker Rina Neoh, Secretary General of the ESG Association of Malaysia, introduced by her spouse, Rtn. Roger Collantes, shared initiatives to reduce plastic waste. She urged Filipino companies to deploy plastic deposit machines, where the public can recycle plastic waste for monetary rewards or coins. Neoh also emphasized the need for the Philippine government to provide grants to companies selling eco-friendly products, noting that Malaysia has facilitated such transitions with grants for exhibition and market development.
Atty. Jonas Leones, DENR Undersecretary, discussed recycling compliance data under EPR, which requires companies to report on the efficiency of their recycling programs. Leones noted that 917 companies and 298 micro, small, and medium enterprises have submitted their reports. The DENR expects increased investments in recycling technologies and community training programs by 2034, along with more aggressive public campaigns against single-use plastics by 2040.
Following the resource speakers, a panel discussion moderated by Chris Ferareza, incoming Director and Vice President of RC Makati, and Chief Sustainability Officer and Partner for Advisory Services and Sustainability Leader of P&A Grant Thornton, featured several experts. Panelists included Commissioner Crispian Lao, Chairman of the National Solid Waste Management Commission and Founding President of PARMS; Elvin Ian Uy, Executive Director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress; Rudi Ramin, Commercial Director of PCX; Erica Cardoso, Managing Director of Evergreen Labs Philippines; Stanley Siahetiong, Energy Transition Manager of Shell Pilipinas Corporation; and representatives from the DENR Environmental Management Bureau, Engr. Esperanza Sajul and Atty. Ivy De Pedro. The panelists emphasized the need for collaboration and holistic action to change the Philippines’ plastic legacy.
The forum concluded with the closing remarks of PE Keith Harrison, who highlighted the importance of changing mindsets about plastic waste management and sustainability through education.
The event saw active participation, with over 250 online attendees and more than 40 in-person participants, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices.
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