President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday underscored the necessity for a broader and extra science-driven strategy to tackling plastic pollution, noting that environmental pressures are converging with fast technological change.
Marcos made the comment as he attended the opening ceremony of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International High-Level Forum on Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics) at a resort in Pasay City.
“Leadership today demands not only political will, but an ability to integrate scientific evidence, cutting-edge research, and strategic foresight into national and global decision-making,” Marcos mentioned.
“Plastic pollution is emblematic of this new era of challenges: global in scale, persistent in impact, and deeply entangled with the way economies grow,” he added.
Marcos mentioned the problem impacts biodiversity, public well being, provide chains, and the lives of coastal and concrete communities.
He mentioned addressing the issue requires “going beyond regulation and advocacy.”
“It requires technology that is credible, scalable, and grounded in rigorous science,” he mentioned.
The discussion board was organized by the IAEA and the Philippine authorities via the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the DOST–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).
The occasion positions the Philippines as a proactive accomplice in advancing nuclear and radiation applied sciences for sensible, science-based options—a transfer Marcos mentioned demonstrates a forward-looking dedication to innovation-driven environmental motion.
He added that the Philippines is proud to help IAEA initiatives, noting that the nation has embraced worldwide scientific cooperation in addressing plastic pollution.
Marcos mentioned NUTEC Plastics “embodies the kind of innovation that we need — solutions that merge advanced nuclear applications with environmental protection, to translate scientific progress into tangible benefits for industry and for society.”—MCG, GMA Integrated News