Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines’ National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) recently brought together government, civil society, academe, and development partners for a webinar to reflect on the outcomes of the second part of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s fifth session (INC 5.2) and discuss the way forward for the country’s engagement in the global plastics treaty.

Held on 12 September, the webinar titled INC 5.2 Debrief: Insights and Way Forward for the Philippines provided stakeholders a first-hand look at output from INC 5.2, shared through the perspective of the members of the Philippine delegation, and opened the floor for discussions on what lies ahead for the country, with or without a treaty.

The Philippines has consistently played an active role in the negotiations toward a landmark, legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution, following the United Nations Environment Assembly’s (UNEA) historic resolution calling for the said treaty which is envisaged to address plastic pollution across its full life cycle.

“The Philippines has always been a key player in these global discussions. Our participation at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Geneva last month was a testament to the same. We were there because we want a global treaty that works. But despite the tireless work of all our delegations, unfortunately, the INC was unable to finalize the treaty. This means the challenge before us is clear. We need to continue (and) we need your continued collaboration to make (our) commitments a reality,” said Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

While negotiations have reached an impasse, delegates underscored that momentum and cooperation remain strong.

 “Right now, we have an impasse. One of the positives to come out of INC 5.2 is that coalitions have been formed and there is more global awareness of plastic pollution. We are much more aware what plastic pollution is and how to respond. Our country remains committed to working with the international community to forge a legally binding instrument, and it is ideal to adopt a global framework. We still stand with that. But for now, we can collaborate on initiatives and strengthen communication so that everyone can help,” said Atty. Janice Regoso-Pammit, Chief of the Legal Division and Concurrent Board Secretary of the Pollution Adjudication Board of the Environmental Management Bureau of DENR.

Her colleague, Atty. Rosette Ferrer, Chief of the Legal Research and Opinion Division of DENR, emphasized how locally driven platforms such as the NPAP could be utilized to encourage greater collaboration across sectors. “Our Ecological Solid Waste Management Act is already 20 years old and we still have a lot of problems in implementation. We really need a whole of society approach, including civil society and LGUs to ensure action reaches until the grassroots. NPAP is a good avenue for all of us to collaborate,” she said.

For Mr. Albert Magalang, Chief of the DENR’s Climate Change Service, ongoing international dialogues continue to shape national priorities. “There are a lot of ongoing dialogues right now. There are invitations to participate in such dialogues especially for countries with similar proposals that are being enhanced. The way I see it, if there would be a treaty, it would provide guidance in enhancing further our national policies. As regards to the existing laws and policies that we have, we are moving towards the principle being espoused by the global plastics treaty.”

UNDP Philippines Climate Action Programme Team Lead Floradema Eleazar also underscored NPAP’s role in sustaining discussions, stating that “Since its inception, NPAP Philippines has been creating opportunities and spaces to bring together government, private sector, development partners, civil society, academia, and vulnerable communities to exchange ideas, learn from each other’s experiences, and develop practical and coordinated solutions towards a sustainable and circular economy. Webinars like these are an important part of that mission, providing an accessible means of convening diverse actors to move important conversations and actions forward.” 

NPAP Philippines is a locally driven platform uniting leaders from government, business, development organizations, academe, and civil society to tackle plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy. Led by the DENR, it is supported by the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership and partners like the UK Government, the Government of Canada, and the Coca-Cola Foundation. Its technical secretariat in the Philippines is UNDP.  [E]