DTI urges young consumers to be sustainable consumption champions

Anchored on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, the Department of Trade and Industry – Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG), through the Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB), spearheaded the 6th Consumer Youth e-Forum on 13 July 2022 with the theme, #YoungGreenConsumer.

 

The DTI-CPG, with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Philippines, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), led the forum highlighting the importance of the youth’s active participation in consumption patterns and sustainable practices and alternatives.

DTI-CPG Assistant Secretary Ann Claire C. Cabochan opened the program reminding young consumers to act on environmental issues, to be aware of the need to minimize the adverse impact of their consumption to the environment, and to influence others to be also environmentally aware consumers.

 

DTI-CPG Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo delivered her keynote message appreciating the government, private sector, and various consumer youth groups for responding to the call to promote sustainability. “I would like to stress the significance of our individual efforts, such as changing our consumption habits and reducing our use of single-use plastic. I urge all of you, the youth of our future, to be sustainable champions and help us save the planet,” Usec Castelo underscored.

 

For the Forum proper, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), through Director Nieva T. Natural, presented the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP). The PAP4SCP serves as a guiding framework to influence and steer sustainable behavior and practices across sectors and levels of government by implementing policy reforms and a set of actions. Dr. Natural also encouraged the participants to consume and produce green goods and shift towards sustainable practices and lifestyles.

 

Moreover, the DTI-CPAB invited youth groups that drive sustainable solutions through their initiatives to speak at the e-Forum and to provide them the opportunity to collaborate with other youth groups, the industry and professional sectors, and the government offices with consumer protection programs.

 

Mr. Jian Pierre Arguelles, Owner of Fulfill Zero Waste gave an overview of their goal to fulfill consumers’ basic needs while preserving and protecting the planet. Fullfill Zero Waste promotes sustainable living by utilizing recyclable materials and eliminating single-use plastics. They created a store where consumers can buy their basic needs by bringing their own containers. They also partnered with other local manufacturers that focuses on household products such as condiments, soaps, dishwashing liquids, and more.

 

Mr. Prince Jimdel Ventura, Owner and CEO of Wear Forward discussed sustainable fashion, eliminating textile wastes, increasing clothing lifespans and utilization, and promoting collaborative consumption of fashion items through clothing as a service. He also instilled the value of environmental awareness in fashion – awareness, responsibility, and transformation. Wear Forward conducts fashion lectures and workshops on upcycling, sewing, weaving and other fashion-related activities.

 

After the Forum, DENR Policy and Planning Service OIC-Director Melinda C. Capistrano gave her message of support and highlighted the integral role of the youth in leading the way to achieve SDG 12. She also called for the active participation of the youth particularly on environmental consciousness in waste disposal, use of energy and water resources, among others.

 

CPAB Director, Atty. M. Marcus N. Valdez II, closed the program urging youth groups for their active involvement in preserving and protecting the environment.

 

For more information, visit the DTI website. For consumer-related concerns and queries, send an email to ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph or call the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline. END