The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) under the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), has been advocating for sustainable consumption to reduce plastic pollution. With this, the department joins the world in celebrating Earth Day 2021.
Earth Day is celebrated every 22nd of April. Since 1970, Earthday.org’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. This year’s theme, “Restore Our Earth”, focuses on the prevention of the disasters of climate change and environmental destruction. Through this year’s theme, Earthday.org hopes that world climate leaders, grassroots activists, nonprofit innovators, thought leaders, industry leaders, artists, musicians, influencers, and the leaders of tomorrow, will come to push everyone towards a better world.
The DTI has been doing its part by raising awareness of the need for collective action and the important role of consumers in curbing the plastic pollution crisis. Recently, the DTI-CPAB held two fora tackling plastic pollution in line with World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2021.
Firstly, the Consumer e-Forum last 15 March 2021 presented DTI joins the Earth Day 2021 celebration different measures on addressing plastic pollution from authorities from public and private sectors. Presenters and reactors were from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Consumers International (CI), Local Government Unit of Pasig, EcoWaste Coalition, National Youth Commission (NYC), Communities Allocated for Resource Allocation (CORA), Inc. Foundation, and Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI).
Secondly, the DTI-CPAB organized the Consumer Youth e-Forum and invited youth groups through the National Youth Commission (NYC) to highlight the importance of active participation in plastic pollution. During the Consumer Youth e-Forum last 19 March 2021, the youth group initiatives from several regions of the country, presented environmental issues in their communities and shared how they assisted in addressing them.
CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo, who has been a firm advocate of sustainable consumption, believes that “we all need to take action and we all need to come together to battle the global plastic pollution crisis.” For consumer-related concerns and queries, send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph or CPAB@dti.gov.ph. ♦
Date of Release: 30 April 2021