From July 18 to July 30, 2025, the University of the Philippines Diliman National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office welcomed students and faculty from Lehigh University for a two-week fieldwork collaboration in Manila. This partnership brought together innovative minds to tackle pressing issues in the Philippines—from plastic waste and metal recycling to sustainable packaging and public health. This year, four ventures participated in the fieldwork, guided by three Lehigh faculty members: Vice Provost Khanjan Mehta, Asst. Prof. Thomas E. Gartner III and Prof. Sean Vassilaros. Together with UP Diliman students, NSRC Reservists, and NSTP staff, these projects explored real-world solutions for environmental sustainability and community well-being. PlasTech Ventures (From sachets to solutions: Turning trash into treasures) The Philippines consumes over 2 million tons of single-use plastics annually—most of which ends up polluting the environment. PlasTech Ventures is reimagining sachet waste as a valuable resource. This year’s team conducted a case study at the Baseco Material Recovery Facility (MRF), which collects and processes sachets for upcycling into usable products. They also explored innovative ideas such as turning sachets into 3D printing filament, collaborating with local researchers, and even developing community-based board games to encourage sachet collection. “MRF workers expressed their advocacy to help the environment and community through their work; however, despite the tedious nature of their job, they do not receive fair wages. This work is valuable, and it deserves recognition.” -Mars Maglangit, Senior Research Associate for Research and Development AgriWrap (Converting food waste into biodegradable packaging products) In Manila’s vibrant street food scene, single-use plastics dominate. AgriWrap seeks to change this by transforming agricultural waste into biodegradable packaging. This year’s fieldwork involved surveying street vendors on packaging use and cost, visiting bioplastic manufacturers like Oikos, and studying how greener alternatives can be made accessible to small businesses. “The visit to Oikos was inspiring. Seeing women-led leadership and their passion for sustainability was empowering. It reminded me that protecting our planet requires both innovation and heart.” -Raine Nakpil, UPD NSRC Reservist MetalMatter (Transforming the metal recycling landscape) MetalMatter is tackling the environmental and economic challenges of metal waste, with a […]
Yearly Archives: 2025
UP Diliman through the NSTP-NSRC Office proudly participated in the Tokushima Online Exchange Program 2024–2025, a regional initiative by the Tokushima Prefectural Government in Japan that promotes SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production, focusing on ethical food consumption and youth-led consumer behavior. This year, our NSRC Reservists explored ethical consumption through the lens of local food heritage. Their handbook, “From Root to Table: Embracing Philippine Food Heritage for Ethical Consumption,” advocates for the use of native and endemic plants in Filipino cuisine—highlighting sustainability, ecological significance, and cultural preservation. Guided by Dr. Benito Pacheco, Prof. Emeritus Lourdes J. Cruz, Ms. Judith Camille Rosette, Asst. Prof. Olivia Alma Sicam, and Dr. Nappy Navarra, the student representatives and NSTP graduates—Mark Aspiras, Adrienne Riel C. Cruz, Jester Vince P. De Torres, Danella Benice V. Vasquez, and Joseph F. Zabala—actively contributed to this international dialogue, culminating in their participation at the Tokushima International Consumer’s Forum held on June 6, 2025 where Mark Aspiras and Dr. Navarra represented UP Diliman in Japan, exchanging insights with fellow participants from across Asia. This program builds on the successful 2022–2023 collaboration, where UP produced “Sustainable Consumption 101: Your Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Living.” With NSTP Diliman leading the initiative, this engagement continues to empower students to be advocates of sustainable lifestyles and ethical consumption. You can view the team’s full handbook here.