EU delegation joins Manila Bay cleanup

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) delegation to the Philippines, led by Ambassador Franz Jessen, joined yesterday the Manila Bay cleanup program along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Jessen said the group’s participation in the cleanup is an expression of solidarity of the EU with the Philippines in ensuring that the oceans are rid of plastic wastes and other pollutants. 

The EU is a strong advocate of a cleaner, healthier, litter-free environment and sustainably managed marine resources. 

The EU Delegation collaborated with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and the International Coastal Clean-up volunteers. Staff members of the Danish and French embassies also joined the group.

Jessen said the European Commission had adopted earlier this year a Circular Economy Action Plan to foster 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 would be recyclable by 2030, the consumption of single-use plastics significantly reduced and the intentional use of micro plastics restricted. 

Plastic litter has become a major concern in Asia, including the Philippines, the EU noted.

The EU Delegation is closely working with the Philippine government on the development of a national strategy for improving plastic waste management and reducing leakages of plastic waste in the marine environment. 

A regional program is also expected for a period of three years starting in 2019 to enhance policy dialogue, 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, the EU said.