The City Government of Isabela brought together local government leaders, national government agencies, private sector representatives, investors, development partners, and other key stakeholders on August 19 for the Environmental Summit + Investment Forum, a three-day gathering being held from August 18 to 20. The event highlights innovation, partnerships, and investment as key drivers in strengthening solid waste management and advancing environmental sustainability.
Carrying the theme “Closing the Loop: Strengthening Solid Waste Management through Innovation and Partnership,” the summit features discussions, best practices, investment opportunities, and partnership-building activities aimed at promoting a circular economy and turning solid waste management challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
In her welcome message, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman declared the summit a historic turning point for Western Mindanao, urging a decisive shift from the traditional “take, make, use, and dispose” linear model toward an inclusive circular economy. Citing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 as a catalyst, Mayor Turabin-Hataman highlighted Isabela City’s pioneering initiatives, including the flagship Isabela Seasweepers Program for marine plastic recovery, the formal integration of indigenous and marginalized communities into the recycling value chain, and data-driven 10-Year Solid Waste Management planning powered by Waste Analysis and Characterization Studies (WACS).
Positioning Isabela City as an “EPR investment-ready” hub, she invited private sector partners and institutional investors to collaborate on smart Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), waste-accounting systems, and upcycling technologies to transform local waste into valuable economic resources.
In his opening remarks, Regional Director of DENR-EMB IX Atty. Abbas Lao expressed that solid waste management is one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing communities today, yet it serves as an area where innovation, collaboration, and investment can create meaningful and lasting change. He emphasized that the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework provides a vital opportunity to rethink resource management from production and consumption to recovery, recycling, and reuse, urging a shift beyond simple waste disposal toward a circular economy.
Highlighting that environmental protection is a shared responsibility among government, development partners, and local communities, he encouraged participants to engage openly, share experiences, explore partnerships, and collaborate to turn environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.
In his keynote message, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized the need to link environmental responsibility with economic opportunity in addressing waste management. He highlighted the role of RA 9003 and the EPR Act in promoting shared responsibility among local governments, businesses, and communities.
He urged local governments to view waste as a resource that can create jobs, attract investments, and strengthen local economies through recycling, recovery, and circular economy initiatives. He also stressed the importance of partnerships, innovation, and citizen participation in building cleaner and more sustainable communities.
A Partnership Activation and Pledge of Support was also held, with the participation of key regional and local stakeholders, including DTI Provincial Director for Zamboanga and Isabela City Grace Aduca, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority Sec. Leo Tereso Magno, OIC Regional Executive Director of DENR IX Dir. Marie Angelique Go, Regional Director of DILG IX Dir. Pablio Benitez Jr. and Regional Director of DENR-EMB IX Atty. Michael Drake Matias.
The program featured Agong Striking by RD Atty. Lao, followed by PINAS: The Basura Buster (PBB) with ISA & BELA Dance Performance. It also included a Gallery Walk showcasing TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. exhibiting educational graphics on progressive revegetation with native plants and grasses, Kids Who Farm demonstrating “The Gardenator” trash-bin growing system, soilless hydroponics, and zero-waste circular food models, the Philippine Coconut Authority showcasing a Field Genebank, industrial coconut waste processing for coir/biofuel, and processed coconut goods, the Department of Information and Communications Technology in Isabela City providing free document scanning/printing, ICT training registration, and awareness on EGovPH, PNPKI, cybersecurity, and data privacy, TESDA IX featuring upcycled and recycled training-center crafts, and DTI One Town One Product displaying local MSME goods, crafts, and delicacies.
Present at the event were Juneven Malalis of DA IX, Founder of Lithos Manufacturing Dr. Eleanor Olegario, CENRO Dennis Catalan of DENR Zamboanga City, Area Management Officer for Western Mindanao Chief Carlos Cerezo of MinDA, Environmental Management Specialist Jepp Farrales of EMB Central Office, Business Development Manager Engr. Esther Dawn Rebollo of Hydrogen De France Energy Philippines, OIC Regional Executive Director Marie Angelique Go of DENR IX, Deputy Executive Director Asec. Romeo Montenegro of MinDA, Mayor Runie Jamora of Leon Postigo, and members of the REC, among others.
