Ceremonial Signing with the
Embassy of the Netherlands

7 November 2022 – The Circular Economy Program held its ceremonial signing with the Embassy of the Netherlands. This program aims to promote an inclusive, sustainable future by improving the country’s current waste ecosystem through policy advocacy and public-private pilots that encourage innovation and impactful collaborations.

Present at the event were Embassy of the Netherlands Ambassador Marielle Geraedts and Deputy Head of Mission Robert Van Der Hum, Alaska Milk Corporation Managing Director Tarang Gupta, MBC Board of Trustee and CEO of Philippine Seven Corp Jose Victor Paterno, MBC’s Executive Director Francisco Alcuaz, Jr.

MBC’s partnership with the Embassy started with the Business for Biking Program which supported the creation of end-of-trip facilities like recycled bike racks and other biking infrastructure. With the Embassy’s continued support, the Circular Economy Program was launched. This program helps MBC with its intentions to engage its member companies and local government units, in partnership with NGOs, in promoting and operating for a healthy and resilient Philippine economic recovery.

“The Netherlands has some experience in Circular Economy, so we have been more or less a live lab for some of the solutions. Exchanging experiences and seeing what works best are excellent ways to cooperate,” said Ambassador Gedaedts.

Paterno echoes this sentiment, as the transition to a circular economy “is not a problem that anybody can solve on their own.” Gupta also notes that to create impact, “businesses can come together and create an ecosystem and self-sustaining business models that are good for the businesses, good for the environment, good for the people.”