Senator Cynthia A. Villar has expressed hope that the Circular Explorer would preserve Philippine natural resources and save the environment from further degradation.
The Circular Explorer is a solar-powered recycling catamaran to promote sustainable practices and commitment to a circular economy by recovering and recycling plastic wastes from coastal areas.
"As an active proponent of recycling and responsible waste management, I am confident, that the Circular Explorer will be effective in promoting recycling and raising awareness on responsible consumption and production that will have lasting benefits for us and the environment," Villar said.
Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, was a guest speaker during the recent launching of the Circular Explorer by Holchim Group and One Earth One Ocean at Manila Yacht Club.
The launching, Villar stressed, is a truly a momentous event since it is the first of its kind as a renewable-powered recycling catamaran.
Villar renewed her call for responsible consumption and production which is in line with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)— SDG No. 12.
She said the Philippines is committed to these goals inorder to boost developing countries’ scientific, technological and innovative capacities to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
Due this, Villar said she agrees with the position of the group that “accelerating the circular economy is only possible with stakeholders teaming up and working together to find solutions”.
"This is really a perfect platform for stakeholders from the country’s scientific and academic communities, business and industry sectors as well as government agencies to promote awareness and spur actions in circularity in production processes and resource management,” she stressed.
Villar noted that the circular economy or the shift to circular living is fast gaining ground globally. It has been adopted and endorsed by governments worldwide.
"I think this circular model will help our existing efforts in waste management here in the Philippines as it has in other countries," she said.
"The circular model is about keeping resources in circulation or in the loop for as long as possible. So, it means there will be lesser and eventually no more plastic wastes ending in landfills or reaching our seas and polluting our water sources," she added.