WWF Continues to Fight Against Plastic Pollution, Advocates for an Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Plastic pollution has reached gigantic dimensions worldwide and has caused serious consequences to marine life and the wellbeing of society. In a recent study, it has been estimated that about 11 million tonnes enter the ocean every year. If no action is made, this can triple by 2040 which is equivalent to 50 kg of plastics for every coastline meter worldwide. 

The Philippines, based on a 2015 modelling study, has been considered as one of the 10 top countries contributing to plastic pollution, has been continuously challenged with increasing waste generation and the lack of a sound waste management system. This calls for a comprehensive approach among policy makers, corporations, cities, and consumers to ensure that no plastics reaches nature. 

Building on its No Plastics in Nature initiative, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines releases a report entitled “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme Assessment for Plastic Packaging Waste in the Philippines”. This report, undertaken with cyclos GmbH and AMH Philippines Inc, highlights EPR as a critical and effective policy tool in holding manufacturers accountable for the end-of-life impacts of their plastic products and packaging. EPR as a policy instrument also encourages adoption of holistic eco-design among the business sector. The proposed EPR scheme has been based on the findings of the first Material Flow Analysis of plastic packaging waste in the Philippines. 

The report shows that Filipinos consume a yearly average of 20kg of plastics, from which 15.43kg/cap/year becomes waste. Insufficient recycling capacities for high value recyclables (i.e. PET, PP, HDPE) and the high volume of low value plastics (including sachets) are factors that affect the country’s low plastic recycling rate, at 9%. The report further estimates that the Philippines leaks about 35% of plastic wastes into the environment.

These waste reduction and management conditions shaped the proposed customized EPR scheme in the Philippines. It proposes a mandatory EPR scheme for all product packaging with a three-year transition phase for obliged businesses to redesign their product packaging and eliminate unnecessary plastics. For this customized EPR scheme to work, the report emphasizes that the responsibility of implementing the scheme for building high-quality recycling capacity should be assumed by a non-profit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), acting as the system operator, with strict monitoring and control systems carried out by the government. 

“We in WWF believe that a mandatory EPR system is a way for businesses to be more engaged in eliminating unnecessary plastics through eco-design and strengthening waste management by being responsible for the end of life impacts of their plastic packaging. It is a driving mechanism for businesses to transform their models and push for circular solutions to reduce plastic generation including refilling and ultimately to eliminating leakage of plastic in nature. Adopting the EPR scheme in the Philippines is a great driver for us to stop plastic pollution.”, says Czarina Constantino, WWF-Philippines’ National Lead for the No Plastics In Nature Initiative and Project Manager for Plastic Smart Cities. 

A key first step is a clear, effective, and unambiguous legal framework towards EPR. This can only happen if policy makers take a bold and decisive step to put this globally recognized waste reduction and management scheme in place. A legal framework for EPR should outline clear objectives, responsibilities, enforcement mechanisms, and a timeline for implementation and targets. The effectiveness of the EPR system relies on the active role of government to regulate and supervise the system and its operator through a legal framework. This is also aligned to the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris that enjoins member states like the Philippines to develop and implement EPR policies and schemes. 

Facilitating partnerships among relevant stakeholders, most notably the government and the private sector, WWF-Philippines advocates for the adoption of the EPR scheme in the country to stop plastic pollution. 

“Addressing plastic pollution requires both upstream (production/pre-consumption) and downstream measures (consumption and post consumption). Working on the entirety of the plastic life cycle, stakeholder collaboration is important in both reducing the production and the consumption of unnecessary plastic, and also in managing plastic products and packaging, ensuring that materials are used as long as possible in our society”, says Joel Palma, WWF-Philippines’ Executive Director.

Nestlé Philippines, one of the leading producers of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in the country, encouraged fellow stakeholders to do their part for nature by supporting the localized EPR scheme.

“At Nestlé, we believe that tackling plastic waste cannot be successfully achieved by a single or linear solution. It requires the attention and action of different stakeholders. We must look into different options both upstream and downstream, and take a holistic approach as we continue accelerating our initiatives to tackle plastic waste and EPR is a major instrument. We support the creation of a localized EPR scheme that we believe can help increase collection and recycling rates. We cannot achieve this alone, we must work together, to achieve a waste-free future," says Arlene Tan-Bantoto, SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications of Nestlé Philippines.

The study is part of the No Plastic in Nature Initiative - WWF’s global initiative to stop the flow of plastics entering nature by 2030 through elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling and recovery, and ensuring remaining plastic is sourced responsibly. Through this initiative, WWF-Philippines has been working with cities on plastic leakage, policy makers to advocate for a global treaty on plastic pollution, businesses to transition to circular business models, and the general public to campaign and act. 

Take part to #ChangeTheEnding for our planet and help work towards a vision of no plastics in nature.

Team Lakay Coach Mark Sangiao Says Passion Will Dictate Whether Eduard Folayang is Done or Not

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Team Lakay head coach and Philippine martial arts pioneer Mark “The Machine” Sangiao has his work cut out for him over the next few weeks. Several of his star athletes are preparing for their respective returns to action, since the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world.

2-time former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, perhaps Sangiao’s most prized pupil, is up to bat first, and will see action next week.

Folayang takes on Australia’s Antonio “The Spartan” Caruso at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore on Friday, 30 October.

Team Lakay are already on their way to Singapore as of this writing, and will soon get acclimated to the ‘Singapore Bubble’ ONE Championship established with the Singapore Government to deal with Covid-19 complications.

Sangiao believes this is a very important fight for Folayang, and one he is determined to win in order to break the Top 5 in his division.

“For us at Team Lakay, every fight, no matter how minor or major it is, it’s very important. This fight in particular is very significant for Eduard, as the result will dictate if he can get back in the list of top lightweight contenders,” said Sangiao.

“During the lockdowns here in Baguio City, we all trained in our respective homes. We only just returned to the gym two months ago, strictly adhering to Covid protocols. It was great for our athletes because they could spar with each other. Right now, we’re working double time, focusing on our game plans and strategies, especially for Eduard.”

In Caruso, Folayang faces a multiple-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion, who has trained under the legendary Henri Hooft with a handful of top tier ONE athletes including ONE World Champions Aung La N Sang and Martin Nguyen.

A resounding victory over Caruso is necessary, and Sangiao says they’ve already crafted the right game plan to produce a solid win.

“We’ve studied Antonio Caruso’s previous fights and we’ve already come up with a good game plan, which will hopefully work in our favor,” said Sangiao.

After dropping three of his last four, however, Folayang is looking to prove he still has what it takes to compete among the best. Many fans and experts say the end may be near for Folayang, and that the veteran should contemplate retirement, especially if he loses against Caruso.

For Sangiao, the most important thing is where Folayang’s heart is. If Folayang is still dedicated to reaching his dreams and accomplishing his goals, if his heart is still in it, Sangiao believes “Landslide” can still do some damage in the division.

“Eduard is a very talented fighter, no doubt. He has all the skills and tools to succeed on the championship level. And he has a very difficult style to deal with. As long as I can see Eduard being passionate and working hard for his career, I believe he can still get to the highest places in MMA,” said Sangiao.

“I think the end is there for every fighter. No one can fight forever. It’s about listening to your body, and paying attention to your mindset. This fight will answer a lot of questions about Eduard, win or lose. But honestly, we’ve never even discussed his retirement. He still wants to achieve a lot of things in this sport.”

ONE Championship returns on Friday, 30 October with ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX, broadcast live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The blockbuster features four World Title bouts for a total of six compelling martial arts contests.




In the main event, reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar defends his middleweight title against top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands.

Three-way partnership for renewable energy hub in Mindanao

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In an effort to identify and promote renewable energy solutions for poverty alleviation in Mindanao, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), through the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute, SELCO Foundation and the Peace and Equity Foundation inked a memorandum of understanding on 01 October 2020 to work together in creating a coordination hub in Mindanao that will help push for the shift towards renewable energy in the region.

According to PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo, the Mindanao Renewable Energy Advocacy and Coordination Hub (Mindanao REACH) project is a product of almost a decade of partnership among the three organizations when they started the promotion of the use of renewable energy in the country.

“We want to affirm our institutional commitment to share knowledge, technology and innovation in advancing the work of ensuring that renewable energy players on the ground have the means and concrete options to improve themselves by creating an ecosystem and customized solutions for poverty alleviation,” he said.

With a grant of five million pesos from the European Climate Foundation, the project will also open opportunities to support livelihood development, education, and health programs.



SELCO Foundation was represented by its CEO, Dr. Harish Hande, also a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee. RMAF was represented by Emily Abrera, its current president.