The government and the private sector on Thursday launched the Philippine National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) at Marco Polo Manila Ortigas to address the growing pollution problem.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo Loyzaga underscored the importance of the partnership to address the problem.
“This meeting embodies the collective will and the need to address one of the most critical environmental challenges of our time: plastic pollution,” said Loyzaga.
Loyzaga said the NPAP is a dynamic and inclusive mechanism designed to unify and amplify collective efforts.
“The NPAP aligns with our country’s national development priorities, specifically our broader goals of environmental integrity, economic resilience and inclusive growth,” she said.
“This platform will really catalyze a transition to a circular economy, one that views plastic waste not as an insurmountable burden but as an opportunity for science, engineering, technology and innovation to address this particular crisis. By adopting circularity, we can transform waste into resources, reduce environmental pressures, and enhance economic and social well-being of all,” she said.
The event was attended by Selva Ramachandra, the resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme; Laure Beaufils, ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines; David Hartman, ambassador of Canada to the Philippines; Clemence Schmid, director of the Global Plastic Action Partnership; and Trin Custodio, director of World Wildlife Fund.
“The challenge before us is immense, to say the least. The Philippines generates approximately 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste each year,” said Loyzaga.
She said a significant portion of this waste finds its way into the oceans, placing the Philippines among the top reported contributors to marine plastic pollution globally.
“The crisis extends far beyond environmental degradation; it’s a multifaceted crisis that threatens our biodiversity, our ecosystems’ integrity, sustainable livelihoods, and our own public health,” she said.
Loyzaga said the cost of inaction is staggering, with vulnerable coastal communities bearing the brunt of plastic pollution and the ecosystems — which are integral to the country’s natural wealth —suffering irreversible damage.
“The socioeconomic implications of this problem must be addressed. Our behaviors, our cultures, the way we regard our consumption and production. These are all part of the solution. No sector is spared. Disaster risk reduction and the climate change community as well need to be involved in the way we address waste management and the growing burden of plastics on our society,” said Loyzaga.
The NPAP framework supports key policies including the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Act, the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP) and national commitments to marine litter reduction as well as commitments to Paris, the SDGs, the Global Biodiversity Framework and all the other international commitments.
