Villar cites relevance of EPR Law to efficient waste management

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar has underscored the spirit of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, saying the law as “not a burden, but a call to partnership and cooperation” among its various stakeholders.

“By embracing the EPR and the circular economy, we are ready to pave the way for a more sustainable future,” Villar stressed.

Villar made the remarks in a speech during the EPR campaign launch at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

Villar cited the theme of the event or- ganized by the DENR as “LOOPFORWARD: Linking Opportunities and Partnerships Towards Circular through EPR.” Villar exhorted the people to unite in supporting the EPR Act and in advancing a circular economy.

“This law offers a better approach to plastic waste management than merely expecting citizens to segregate and manage it, or leaving the local government units across our more than seven thousand islands to handle overwhelming plastic waste,” Villar said. She was the main author and sponsor of the EPR Law or Republic Act No. 11898.

P1m up for grabs in ‘23 Sentro Artista art competition under PCSO auspices

A P1-MILLION grand prize is at stake in the 2023 Sentro Artista’s nationwide art contest.

The theme for this year’s art contest is “Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong” which is the mission of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

PCSO shares Sentro Artista Art hub’s advocacy in promoting Filipino values and talents. In this project, visual artists are motivated to bring out the best in themselves and the exhibit that is part of this event will give artists from different regions a platform to break through the art scene.

“We are not only here to take care of the welfare and the wellbeing of the Filipino people, but we have to take care also the soul of the country because it makes you a better citizen, a better person, and it makes you more humane to see the beauty of life,” PCSO general manager Mel Robles said.

Robles also clarified during the upcoming event’s news conference last week at the Sentro Artista art hub in Arton Strip that no government money will be used in the contest as everything comes from private sectors.

“This is purely a private initiative and no public funds will be used here that is why we’re very happy since there are many people who invest in arts,” he added. “And I don’t think they see this as a losing proposition — either way they win.”

Jay Ruiz, a media practitioner and co-founder of Sentro ArtistaJay Ruiz, announced that there is one category which is figurative style. The medium must be oil or acrylic on museum wrapped canvas that measures four feet high by three feet wide with a thickness of two inches, portrait orientation.