MANILA, Philippines - The government has sponsored the first Philippine International Eco-Show (PINES) in an attempt to make firms more environmentally aware.
“Through PINES, the DTI commits to be the driver of green growth and industry in the country,” said Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, “as we welcome an era where business and sustainable environment are not mutually exclusive but are rather complementary aspects of a progressive Philippines.”
As one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, the Philippines has started carving its place in the global eco-market pegged at 330-410 billion euro with the comprehensive Green Philippines Environmental Plan set to motion in recent years.
PINES is led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the DTI.
Positioned to be an annual gathering of the country’s environmental stakeholders, a total of 125 exhibitors and an expected 5,000 trade buyers and visitors will flock to the exhibit presenting eco-friendly industrial and lifestyle products, and eco-advocacy booths.
Exhibiting brands include Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corp., Sharp Philippines, Jollibee, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Palafox Associates, Pacific Paints (Boysen), Hilmarc’s Construction Corp., Petco Renergy, and Holcim Philippines, among others.
Landmark laws like the Biofuels Act of 2006, which promotes the use of biofuels to curb carbon emissions; and the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which promotes the use of alternative renewable energy sources; have opened up the industry towards exploring more green opportunities.
In 2009, the Philippine business sector was dubbed most environment-friendly out of 32 surveyed countries according to global consulting firm Grant Thornton in its annual International Business Report (IBR).
The show also features an international conference entitled “Towards a Greener Earth” with local and international speakers from green centers of excellence like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Nestle Philippines, consulting firm STENUM from Austria, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, and the Green Purchasing Network (GPN) in Malaysia.
Speaking on the conference’s Green Community Track is UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer, who believes that partnership for the environment and natural resource management is key to creating synergies for equitable growth and sustainable development.
“The green community track is meant to showcase partnerships (from all sectors of society) as well as the initiatives of communities to reconcile environmental protection with livelihood opportunities,” said Meyer.