The Iloilo Provincial Government took a proactive step toward sustainable waste management by participating in the Plastic Circularity Inception Workshop organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Action Programme Team in Passi City on February 18-19, 2025.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders to explore strategies for addressing plastic pollution through circular economy principles.
The event convened representatives from the local government units (LGUs) of Passi City and Pototan, the Iloilo Provincial Government, civil society organizations, and national government agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Education (DepEd).
๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
The two-day workshop aimed to align local waste management initiatives with the national and global push for a circular economy.
UNDP Programme Analyst Gwyneth Palmos emphasized the importance of shifting from the traditional โtake-make-wasteโ approach to a more sustainable system that maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes environmental impact.
Key discussions revolved around the Philippine Plastic Circularity Project, with insights from UNDP experts and local leaders.
Participants engaged in workshops on stakeholder mapping, policy and program alignment, and data-driven circularity, identifying gaps and opportunities for Iloiloโs waste management initiatives.
๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ข๐ฅ๐จโ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Data presented during the workshop underscored the urgency of action, with the Philippines ranking as the third-largest contributor to marine plastic pollution and the Iloilo and Jalaur Rivers identified as among the most polluted waterways, highlighting the need for localized interventions.
Through collaborative sessions, participants outlined actionable steps to strengthen Iloiloโs waste management policies, enhance public awareness, and promote innovative circular economy practices.
UNDPโs 10R Framework (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, and Recover) served as a guide for developing concrete strategies.
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
The Iloilo Provincial Government reaffirmed its support for initiatives that reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable economic practices.
This engagement aligns with the provinceโs broader environmental sustainability agenda and strengthens its partnership with UNDP in fostering long-term solutions to plastic pollution.
Moving forward, Iloilo aims to serve as a model for local government units nationwide in implementing circular economy strategies that benefit both the environment and the economy.
The Philippine Plastics Circularity Project is a multi-country initiative supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF Global) designed to support local governments in improving plastic waste management and fostering circular economy models.
๐ทPassi City LGU
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