Members of EU delegation in PH join Manila Bay cleanup

Some members of the European Union delegation joined the Manila Bay cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (Photo from the Facebook page of the European Union in the Philippines)

The European Union (EU) delegation to the Philippines joined the Manila Bay cleanup along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on Saturday.

In a statement, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said that the delegation’s participation is “an expression of solidarity of the EU with the Philippines” in making sure that “our oceans are rid of plastic wastes and other pollutants.”

The EU delegation worked jointly with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) and the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) volunteers.

Staff from the Danish and the French embassies also joined the campaign.

The EU is “currently engaged in close dialogue” with the government to develop a national strategy “for improving plastic waste management and reducing leakages of plastic waste in the marine environment,” as plastic litter becomes a “major concern” in Asia, including the Philippines.

Jessen also mentioned that, earlier this year, the European Commission adopted a Circular Economy Action plan to promote a “transition to a stronger and more circular economy where resources are used in a more sustainable way.”

The plan aims to ensure that all plastic packaging in the EU market are recyclable by 2030.

A regional program to enhance policy dialog, exchange shared knowledge and lessons learned from Europe, capacity enhancement, technology transfer and piloting of solutions for better plastic waste management in the Asian region is expected for a period of three years starting 2019. /atm