(L-R:  Business Development Manager Ted Guayco; Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability Interim President Jess Reyes; Corporate Decarbonization Exchange Head of Partnerships Ping Mangondo; and Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines Sustainability Team Lead Mark Jerome Castillo are all smiles after their SSX Conference plenary session.)

Transformative ideas took root at the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) Conference, where entrepreneurs, policymakers, and advocates came together to pursue greener practices in the local food industry.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the conference was one of three main SSX components, in addition to the Exhibition and the Pitching Sessions held within the recent International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City. The Conference carried the theme “Green Innovations: Navigating Sustainability Solutions to Future-Proof the Food Industry” and ran at the Philippine Trade Training Center, featuring panel sessions led by local and international experts under Business and Consumer Tracks.

Sessions in the Business Track laid out challenges and opportunities  for businesses pursuing sustainable innovation. 

During the session on green financing, Global Green Growth Institute’s Philippine Representative Marcel Silvius highlighted their support of Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME’s) through programs promoting agri-value chain enhancement, plastic circularity, and energy efficiency. International Finance Corporation Finance Institution Group Advisory Aditi Pandit cited the organization’s 30by30 Zero Program, which accelerates businesses’ transition to low-carbon, climate-smart agriculture. Development Bank of the Philippines Executive Vice President and Head of Development and Resiliency Sector George Inocencio outlined initiatives to build up existing environmental protection measures in the country.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform Director General Pendatun Patarasa delivered a keynote presentation on climate-smart food systems. He proposed the adoption of global frameworks and strategies to achieve sustainable productivity, enhanced resiliency, and reduced emissions in the food industry.  He was later joined by a panel featuring Spanish Red Cross Head of Delegation in the Philippines Maria Pressaco, CODESPA Country Manager Margaret Navarro, FarmYields Inc. Chief Farmer Carlomagno Aguilar, and Villa Socorro Farm Banana Chief Raymund Aaron to share their perspectives on his presentation.

Design Center of the Philippines Deputy Executive Director Lucky Lopez, Packaging Institute of the Philippines Vice President for External Affairs John Pestano, AKO Packaging Managing Director Nikki Sevilla-Caampued sat as panelists for the session on sustainable packaging. The group advocated sustainable packaging development training for suppliers, pushing strategies to ensure profitability while staying sustainable.

Leaders of certification bodies led the session on maintaining compliance with environmental policies, presenting opportunities to access new markets and other benefits. Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers Advocacy Manager for Asia and Pacific Natasha Siaron, Control Union Philippines Managing Director Tom van der Muelen, IDCP Halal Chairman Abdul Rahman Linzag, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau Assistant Director Mariglo Laririt attended the discussion.

The Consumer Track held concurrently engaged policymakers, local government units, non-government organizations, and advocates. Consumers’ compliance with environmental regulations, mindful consumption, food waste management, and social enterprises’ role in consumer education were the main points of discussion in these sessions. 

Surigao Mayor Alfredo Coro II and Pasig City Assistant City Administrator Atty. Diego Santiago led the session on consumers’ compliance with regulations, sharing initiatives to promote food safety, such as workshops on circular innovation for MSMEs.

Mindful consumption and sustainable diets were tackled by Gulay Pa Co-founder Chef Laorence Castillo, Slow Food Manila President Chit Juan, and Cosmic Group Philippines Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dhanavantari Saulo. The group promoted urban farming to attain a resilient food economy and noted the slow food movement’s contributions to protecting biodiversity, as well as its active pursuit of “good, clean and fair food.”

Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP) President Dr. Marlon Era, LimaDol Founder Peter Damary, ARK Solves Director of Impact and Operations Adrian Bonifacio, and Sagup Negros Chief Operating Officer Coleen Awit helmed the session on food waste management, calling attention to the impact of food waste and measures to promote responsible management within households and communities.

Bayan Family of Foundations Executive Director Hubert Cortes and Kids Who Farm Founder Moncini Hinay sat as panelists on the session on social enterprises’ role in pushing for sustainability, emphasizing the importance of engaging consumers in attaining a circular economy. 

The two-day conference drew close to 200 local and international delegates from government, the private sector, and the academe. By its conclusion, the conference had drawn for its community a starting point for change, providing Filipino entrepreneurs and advocates a framework in which innovation and circular economic practices can be applied and sustained.

Exhibition, pitching sessions open doors for MSMEs

The SSX Exhibition and Pitching Sessions yielded business opportunities for green entrepreneurs. 

The exhibition hosted 60 SSX exhibitors, including AA Global OPC, a producer of plant-based food products; EkoFuture, a maker of eco-friendly straws; and ARKA Inc., an agriculture platform,  drawing  strong buyer and consumer interest. Dulche Chocolates, Inc., RLGV Fruit Wines Industry, and Northern Roots SG Group Inc. recorded the most booked sales.

The following companies were featured in the European Union-Green Economy Program in the Philippines (EU-GPP) pavilion at IFEX Philippines: And Again Clothing; Everything Green Trading and Consulting; Hiblatech Ventures Inc.; Philippine Alliance for Sustainable Solutions Foundation Inc.; Vero Denim Bags; Rezbin Waste Technology Inc.; MNL-Automate Recyclable Materials Manufacturing; CEP Traders Inc.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) supported CITEM during the pitching sessions, providing a dynamic space for innovative solutions to challenges in sustainability, agriculture, and retail. 

DOST-PCIEERD also showcased four startup companies specializing in decentralized circularity and bioplastic innovation, smart farming technologies, home-based entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence.