Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability - IDIS

On Labor Day, we recognize the essential role of workers whose labor sustains both communities and the environment.

Farmers remain at the forefront of ensuring food security, working through changing climate conditions while gradually adopting more sustainable and resilient farming practices. Their work goes beyond production, it contributes to soil health, water conservation, and the long-term viability of local food systems.

In the uplands, Bantay Bukid Volunteers continue to carry out critical on-the-ground efforts to protect forests and watersheds. Through regular foot patrolling, monitoring, and community-based stewardship, they help safeguard natural resources that many communities depend on.

Together, their work reflects a strong link between labor, environmental protection, and community well-being. It highlights that sustainability is not a one-time effort, but a continuous process carried by people on the ground.

Mabuhay ang mga manggagawang Pilipino! 🌱

Another thematic session during the IPEN Southeast and East Asia Regional Meeting in Palawan, Philippines, highlighted Citizen Science in Action.

This session, facilitated by Dr. Michelle Nhat Ly Reyes (Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia), highlighted how citizen science strengthens community-led environmental monitoring and advocacy. The session featured Dr. Deo Florence Onda (UP Marine Science Institute), Dr. Geminn Louis Apostol (Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation), Poyeon Kim (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health), and Mark Peñalver (Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability - IDIS).

The session emphasized how citizen-generated data empowers communities to participate in environmental and health monitoring and strengthen advocacy. It highlighted practical experiences in mobilizing students, families, and communities as citizen scientists and underscored collaboration across academia, civil society, and grassroots groups as key to co-producing knowledge and advancing environmental and health actions.

The thematic session on International Environmental Policy Instruments: Updates, Challenges, and Opportunities at the IPEN Southeast and East Asia Regional Meeting in Palawan, Philippines, last April 18-19, 2026, brought together IPEN POs to explore how global environmental agreements can support local, national, and regional advocacy.

Moderated by Atty. Mark Peñalver (Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability - IDIS), the session featured global updates and IPEN's ongoing engagement in international policy processes and how these instruments can be used to strengthen environmental and health advocacy from Sara Broschè (IPEN: for a toxics-free future) and a panel of representatives from Basel Action Network, EARTH Thailand, Thant Myanmar, and Shenzhen Zero Waste (China).

The discussion highlighted practical experiences and challenges in engaging governments, promoting strong science, improving policy implementation, and continuing advocacy for public participation in environmental decision-making.

Overall, the session reinforced the importance of international environmental policy instruments as tools for advocacy and stressed the need for continued cooperation and public engagement to translate global commitments into local action.

𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗞, 𝗕𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗟? 🌴♻️

A big step forward for the Island Garden City of Samal as it strengthens its commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable island.

Guided by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and its Environmental Code of 2018 (City Ordinance No. 2018-293), the city now regulates selected single-use plastics and styrofoam — protecting both the environment and public health while shaping a more responsible tourism landscape.

Here’s what’s covered:

🚫 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗛𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗
• Plastic sando bags (except “labo bags” for wet goods)
• Plastic cups, straws, and utensils
• Styrofoam food packaging
• Sale and distribution of these items

✅ 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗗
• Paper bags
• Eco bags / reusable bags
• Reusable containers
• Customer-provided packaging

‼️ 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 (for business establishments)
• 1st offense: ₱500
• 2nd offense: ₱1,000
• 3rd offense: ₱1,500 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment

This move reflects the growing momentum of local governments taking action against single-use plastics.

𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗟?

In line with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) and the Samal Island Environmental Code of 2018 (City Ordinance No. 2018-293), the use of certain SINGLE-USE PLASTICS and STYROFOAM is 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 to reduce pollution and safeguard public health.

𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙃𝙄𝘽𝙄𝙏𝙀𝘿 🚫

❌ Plastic Sando Bags (Single-Use Plastic)
- Not allowed for packaging dry and wet goods
Exception: "Labo bags" are allowed for wet goods (fish, meat, etc.)

❌ Plastic Cups, Straws, and Utensils
- It includes single-use plastics such as: Plastic cups, Plastic straws, Plastic spoons and forks

❌ Styrofoam Food Packaging
- Prohibited for Food (Fruits and Vegetables)

❌ Distribution or Sale of Prohibited Plastics
- Business establishments are not allowed to provide or sell

𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙊𝙒𝙀𝘿 ✅
- Paper Bags
- Eco Bags
- Reusable Bags
- Reusable Containers
- Customer Provided Packaging

‼️ 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 ‼️
(Applicable to Business Establishments ONLY)

1st Offense: P500.00
2nd Offense: P1,000.00
3rd Offense: P1,500.00 and/or not more than 6 months Imprisonment

Today is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of our shared responsibility: to protect, restore, and sustain the environment we all depend on.

We, at Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Earth Day lives in everyday action -- through tree growing and forest protection with our Bantay Bukid Volunteers, pushing for policies, advocating for a circular economy, and empowering communities to take part in climate action.

Because caring for the Earth isn’t a one-day commitment. It’s a responsibility we carry daily, for our forests, our water, and the future we’re shaping together.

Padayon para sa kinaiyahan. 🌱