The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), through its local chapter, the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), continues to expand its capacity-building engagements for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on sustainability practices as it recently conducted a learning session on water stewardship.
Entitled “Tubig ng Bayan: Paano Alagaan?”[a], the session was organized by GCNP’s Private Sector Champions – Planet Pillar featuring resource speakers from RiverRecycle Philippines (RiverRecycle), Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation (JVOF), Maynilad Water Services, Inc., (Maynilad) and Manila Water Company, Inc. (Manila Water). The session highlighted the interconnectedness of water systems and the importance of implementing localized water stewardship programs.
In the session, Fidel Ventura of RiverRecycle and Corazon Sajonas of JVOF talked about their programs, mobilizing local communities towards cleanup and plastic pollution prevention in the Pasig River and in the coastal barangays of La Union, respectively. Atty. Roel Espiritu of Maynilad and Katrina Tarape of Manila Water, meanwhile, shared practical tips for MSMEs to adopt responsible and efficient use of water resources.
The World Resources Institute in 2022 ranked the Philippines 57th out of 161 countries on water stress. The report further indicated that at least 40% to 80% of the country’s total water supply will be withdrawn by 2040. The Social Weather Stations also released survey results in December 2022 concluding that only 67% of Filipino households have access to running or piped water.
“These concerns on water management significantly impact businesses, from MSMEs to corporates. Recognizing how interconnected we all are, just like our water systems, we encourage our MSMEs to join us on the important work on water stewardship and in championing responsible use of the planet’s limited resources,” said GCNP’s Planet Pillar Co-lead and PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios.
Earlier this year, Planet Pillar held a webinar promoting responsible solid waste management and circularity among MSMEs. In addition, the GCNP unit has also partnered with recycler Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) on the pilot implementation of “Iwas Kalat, Dagdag Kita” – a program aimed at fostering MSME participation in plastic waste management and circularity solutions in Barangay Escopa, Quezon City.
“Partners such as BEST are a key enabler of sustainable practices at the household level. Through this collaboration, we aim to engage the members of the community, including the MSMEs, to drive responsible plastic waste management through circularity and build the foundation for a sustainable future for all,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of the Globe Group and Co-Lead of Planet Pillar.
GCNP’s Planet Pillar is co-chaired by Globe and PLDT and Smart, and is composed of private sector champions from Bayo Manila, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Nestlé Philippines, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) Group, and Unilever Philippines.
These efforts help the Philippines contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 13 on Climate Action, and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.
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[a] Click here to catch the recording of the webinar.