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 […]
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The Sanay Agap Iglap, coordinated by various offices including the NSTP Diliman Office, National Service Reserve Corps UPD, UP Resilience Institute, UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, UP Diliman Public Safety and Security Office, and Barangay U.P. Campus- Quezon City, is a 3-day training program designed to enhance community readiness and resilience in the face of disasters. The training, aimed at a cohort of 30-40 participants comprising NSRC reservists, NSTP students, UP Diliman staff, and members of the UP Campus community, incorporates simulation exercises, fieldwork, community engagement, interviews, and structured learning activities. During the Day 1 of Sanay Agap Iglap’s pilot implementation, Dr. Glecy Atienza led participants through physical activities to cultivate an alert mindset, followed by presentations from Ramon Caballero and Jose Abraham Ongkiko of UPRI, focusing on map reading and hazard awareness respectively. Jerzyne Anne Corpuz, also from UPRI, then provided guidance on conducting ocular inspections in participants’ communities. There were a total of 45 participants and 20 volunteers on the first day. Day 2 featured a range of experiences, including a tango rescue exercise led by Dr. Albert Dimarucut, role plays, and discussions on disaster preparedness facilitated by Dr. Glecy Atienza, and basic first-aid training covering burns, fractures, unconsciousness, and managing panicking individuals, led by Dr. Alfred Tengonciang. There were a total of 28 participants and 23 volunteers on the second day. On Day 3, participants engaged in a simultaneous drill at Daan Tubo and Village C of Barangay UP Campus, Quezon City, followed by a comprehensive assessment of the drill proceedings. There were a total of 25 participants and 13 volunteers on the third day. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Sanay Agap Iglap! Exciting updates coming your way soon. By: Ameda M. Tomie