THE Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology Development Institute (DoST-ITDI) held the 2024 DoST-ITDI Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) TechClinic with the theme, Greening the BLUE, at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City on March 14, 2024.

The event focused on the green processing or production of products and plastic packaging to protect the blue bodies of water from becoming dumpsites of waste plastic packaging materials.

The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, unveiling of the i-TechClinic logo and opening of technology exhibits.

Graced by DoST-ITDI key officials, the event was led by Annabelle Briones, director; Christine Marie Montesa, deputy director for Research and Development; and Janet Quizon, deputy director for Administrative and Technical Services and chief of the Finance and Management Division as well as IAC members.

Plenary speakers included Crispian Lao, vice president of the National Solid Waste Management Commission; Reynaldo Esguerra, chief of the Environment and Biotechnology Division of DoST-ITDI; Roberto Batungbacal, senior advisor at Chemical Industry of the Philippines; and Ruby de Guzman, director 3 of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau.

The conference emphasized the significance of the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 in resolving the increasing concerns about plastic waste generation, disposal and management and in encouraging industry players to comply with its requirements and guidelines.