Youth prodded to practice ‘responsible’ consumption

THE Department of Trade and Industry-consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) highlighted the importance of the youth’s active involvement in changing consumption habits to promote sustainable practices and alternatives.

Anchored on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12-Responsible Consumption and Production, the DTICPG, with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the United Nations Development Programme (Undp)—philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the 6th Consumer Youth e-forum last week with the theme #Younggreenconsumer.

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

For her part, DTI-CPG Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo recognized the respective roles of 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-plastic,” said Castelo.

“I urge all of you, the youth of our future, to be sustainable champions and help us save the planet,” Castelo said.

Representing the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), 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 unsustainable behavior and practices across sectors and levels of government by implementing policy reforms and a set of actions.

Dr. Natural also underscored the importance of adapting sustainable practices and lifestyles by encouraging the participants to consume and produce green goods.

Moreover, the trade department said in a news statement on Wednesday that the Dti-consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) enjoined youth groups that drive sustainable solutions through their initiatives to speak at the e-forum to provide them the opportunity to collaborate with other youth groups, the industry and professional sectors, and the government offices with consumer protection programs.

For his part, 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.

Fulfill 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.

The youth group also partnered with other local manufacturers that focus on household products such as condiments, soap, dishwashing liquids, and more.

Meanwhile, in terms of sustainable fashion, Prince Jimdel Ventura, owner and CEO of Wear Forward discussed eliminating textile wastes, increasing clothing lifespans and utilization, and promoting collaborative consumption of fashion items through clothing as a service.

Ventura also stressed the value of environmental awareness in fashion— awareness, responsibility, and transformation. Wear Forward conducts fashion lectures and workshops on upcycling, sewing, weaving and other fashionrelated activities.

After the forum, DTI said, DENR Policy and Planning Service Officer-in-charge Director Melinda C. Capistrano expressed her support and highlighted the integral role of the youth in leading the way to achieve SDG 12.

Moreover, Capistrano also called on the youth to actively participate particularly on environmental consciousness in waste disposal, use of energy and water resources, among others.

CPAB Director Atty. M. Marcus N. Valdez II echoed Capistrano, as he urged youth groups to be actively involved in preserving and protecting the environment.