QUEZON CITY -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called for the public’s strong participation in the adoption of the concept of circular economy to reduce the detrimental impacts of climate change in the country.

“Just like our climate change action, this new system requires the participation of all sectors of society, up to each individual citizen, for it to succeed,” the President said during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In his speech, President Marcos reiterated his position on climate change, emphasizing appropriate and responsible action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change as building blocks of progressive, livable and sustainable communities.

“We can never lose sight of our responsibility to the future. The economic agenda cannot and will not ever be incompatible with our climate change agenda,” Marcos said.

“Climate change is now an important criterion in our integral national policies, in planning, decision-making, up to the implementation of programs. The potential advantages of such enlightened policies extend to jobs and livelihood, with the unlocking of the development of the green and blue economies,” he added.

The President stressed that the government is committed to contributing to the global decarbonization goal and reduce carbon footprint, along with efforts to preserve and protect the forests.

“We remain committed to global decarbonization goals, and the reduction of our carbon footprint. We preserve and protect the treasure that is our forests. Their value to the environment, to the ecology, and the economy is incalculable,” he said.

“We have adopted the concept of the “circular economy”, using nature as our model. The aim is to keep raw materials in a closed loop. In our world with scarce resources, the circular economy allows us to fully use these resources, minimize waste and reduce the need for new resources—just as it is in nature,” Marcos said. | PND