Zero waste cities network launches Philippine chapter

CEBU, Philippines — The Zero Waste Cities Network has formally launched its Philippine chapter for a collaborative effort to advance sustainable waste management nationwide.

The ZWCN-Ph is comprised of government officials from Zero Waste Cities sites across the Philippines and advocates including the country’s first Zero-Waste province, Siquijor, and Barangay Apo Island in Dauin, and Negros Oriental

This group forms part of a global campaign to mainstream Zero Waste practices as the optimal solution to waste management problems such as the plastic crisis, debunking the misconstrued idea that trash incineration helps eliminate waste.

"The Philippine Zero Waste Cities Network aims to foster a supportive community, share stories, and advocate for sustainable solutions. With emphasis on good governance, we can ensure that the rights of our communities are protected and that our environment is preserved for future generations,” said Siquijor vice-governor Mei-Ling Quezon.

Quezon was elected chair of ZWCN-Ph while San Fernando, Pampanga vice mayor Benedict Jasper Lagman was elected as the network’s president.

"Together, we will work to enhance national policies for practical, equitable implementation and advocate for statutory funding to ensure all regions are on equal footing. We will share best practices and experiences to tackle environmental issues collectively, empowering communities to overcome challenges," Lagman added.

The rest of the founding members of the network also see its formalization as an important step to empowering local communities and strengthening institutional support for a Zero Waste agenda, marking a significant stride toward a sustainable and inclusive future for Philippine cities.

During the inaugural Board meeting, the network also made pivotal decisions, including urging the Philippines Climate Change Commission (CCC) to integrate Zero Waste into the National Climate Action Plan (NCAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), support for the Magna Carta for Waste Workers, the institutionalization of the environment and natural resources offices (ENROs) in every local government, and calling for collaboration to develop training programs for local governments to integrate zero waste strategies into their local Climate Action Plans (CAP).

The launch of the Philippine network comes at a critical juncture as the country generates at least 61,000 metric tons of waste daily, with only a fraction of it being properly disposed of.

Meanwhile, the Handa Pilipinas 2024: Visayas Leg welcomed over 380 participants from local government units and various stakeholders, paving the way for groundbreaking innovations in climate and disaster resilience.

The three-day event hosted by the Department of Science and Technology-7 aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience across the Visayas region.

DOST-7 said that the recent eruption of Mt. Canlaon in Negros Oriental and the disasters experienced in the Visayas has underscored the urgent need for effective disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) strategies.

Handa Pilipinas, conceptualized by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum and started in 2023, is a national initiative designed to promote GeoriskPH.

Led by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), GeoriskPH provides protocols and platforms to share hazard, exposure, and risk information. This initiative is crucial in helping individuals, communities, local governments, and national agencies prepare and plan to mitigate the risks posed by natural hazards.

GeoriskPH offers a comprehensive range of tools and information, including hazard maps, risk assessments, early warning systems, and decision support tools.

These resources enable stakeholders to identify areas of vulnerability, assess risks, and make informed decisions to reduce the impact of disasters.

Since its inception, Handa Pilipinas has become an annual event celebrated across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

This year, the Visayas Leg in Cebu City featured a series of forums addressing various aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). — (FREEMAN)