On 26 January, Ambassador Endo Kazuya attended the inauguration of the Innovation for Circular Economy (ICE) Hub in Pasig City. The event was also graced by Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Christopher Bahuet.
Solid waste management is one of the most serious challenges facing the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila where more than 10,000 tons of waste are generated every day. The ICE Hub is equipped with facilities for waste reduction, including waste segregation and composting, and is expected to serve as a center for improving waste management based on the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The Government of Japan supported Pasig and other cities in their circular economy initiatives through contributions to the “Accelerating Nationally Determined Contributions through Circular Economy in Cities” initiative implemented by the UNDP. This support includes training program for the design and operationalization of the ICE Hub, as well as the turnover of a mobile material recovery facility and a biogas digester to Pasig City in 2023.
According to Kazuya, Japan will continue to strengthen its partnership with the Philippines, not only in promoting the circular economy, but also across a wide range of areas contributing to the sustainable and inclusive development of the country.