The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental will hold a forum on waste-to-energy and circular economy solutions, aimed at helping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt greener and more sustainable business practices.
Krystle Jade Bato, DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson and Consumer Protection Division chief, told the Philippine News Agency Sept. 21 that the activity is part of the Acceleration to Green Economic Development program, an offshoot of the Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) project funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation.
Bato said the “Green Economics Solution Forum: Turning Waste into Wealth and Circular Economy” is scheduled for Sept. 30 in Dumaguete City.
“The upcoming forum is intended to provide MSMEs with information, technology options, financing opportunities, and government support to turn waste into economic value while reducing environmental impacts,” Bato said.
The forum will bring together MSMEs, local government units, government agencies, business organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss practical solutions for converting waste into useful resources and energy.
Among the topics to be discussed is waste-to-energy technology, including the conversion of biodegradable waste into methane gas.
Representatives from the Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the local business chamber, banks, and green service providers are expected to participate.
Bato said banks will present financing programs that MSMEs may access for green investments, while technology providers will discuss available solutions for waste management, energy recovery, and circular business practices.
The forum will also tackle government policies and other support mechanisms for MSMEs seeking to transition toward more environmentally sustainable operations.
ProGED was a joint initiative aimed at improving the climate resilience and environmental sustainability of MSMEs, particularly those in sectors such as sustainable tourism, through the adoption of green business strategies.
Although the German government-funded project ended in 2018, the DTI continued its green economic development initiatives by identifying hotspots or priority areas where green solutions could be promoted. ||
