ISEE Galimuyod

25/05/2025

In observance of 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆, the 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗼𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 (𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗘) calls on all sectors of society to reflect and take decisive action against the worsening issue of plastic pollution—particularly within our local and national context.

The Philippines is recognized as one of the top contributors to marine plastic pollution, producing approximately 𝟮.𝟳 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, with over 𝟱𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀. Our country consumes an estimated 𝟭𝟲𝟯 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆, driven by the prevalent “tingi” or single-use culture. Alarmingly, only 𝟵% 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱, placing immense pressure on our landfills, waterways, and communities.

This growing crisis threatens not only our biodiversity and marine ecosystems but also human health and food security—particularly for coastal and vulnerable populations.

As an environmental organization rooted in youth leadership and community empowerment, 𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗘 remains committed to advancing sustainability through education, advocacy, and grassroots action. We support national policies such as the 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗘𝗣𝗥) 𝗔𝗰𝘁 and champion local solutions—from barangay-level clean-up drives to plastic reduction campaigns and zero-waste initiatives.

Let this day be a solemn reminder of our shared responsibility. Let us all take part in the movement by:

✅ Minimizing our use of single-use plastics
✅ Supporting innovative and inclusive waste management solutions
✅ Advocating for systemic reforms and sustainable practices
✅ Engaging our communities in environmental action

Together, let us work hand in hand to create a 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗼𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗿 for generations to come. 💚♻️