Student speaks at Youth Summit on Plastic Solutions

Ronald Gabriel Teng, who led the Far Eastern University (FEU) delegation, served as panel speaker during the culminating event of the Youth for Dagat (YFD) program, which gathered more than 120 youth leaders, experts, and sustainability advocates last Oct. 25 at the Alliance Française de Manille. 

Ronald Gabriel Teng, 3rd Year Biology Student

Teng, a third-year BS Biology student under the Microbiology track, spoke on “Green Leadership: Moving the Circular Economy from Belief to Policy.” 

“Youth leaders bring a sense of urgency grounded in real experiences, from conducting workshops to working with communities. Sharing these perspectives on the panel allowed me to highlight how circular economy solutions must be accessible and community-centered if we want long-term impact,” said Teng. 

He also reflected on how the YFD program has shaped his development as a young leader in sustainability.  

“Programs like YFD build the bridge between awareness and action. They allow us to transform our advocacies into practical, science-based solutions that communities can adopt. Speaking at the summit reminded me that students can play a direct role in shaping policies that affect our environment,” said Teng. 

For Teng, who has facilitated solar-powered lamp workshops for vulnerable communities under Liters of Light, trained more than 150 students, and contributed to the Blue Lanterns Art Installation made from 1,000 recycled plastic bottles in Intramuros, Manila. 

The summit reaffirmed the meaning of youth involvement. It demonstrated how students from various institutions, including FEU, are increasingly shaping public conversations on sustainability. 

Organized by the France-Philippines United Action in partnership with Plastic Odyssey and supported by the Embassy of France under the Blue Nations Initiative, the summit placed a spotlight on the role of young Filipinos in driving environmental action. 

Central to the event was the YFD Student Ambassador Program, which equipped university students with practical knowledge on waste reduction, recycling processes, and low-tech solutions used worldwide. Through design thinking workshops and applied training, ambassadors learned how to transform theoretical understanding into actionable sustainability initiatives such as campus eco-bin systems and community outreach activities. 

This year’s summit also served as an important platform for FEU, whose representatives showcased the university’s growing engagement in environmental leadership. The FEU delegation was composed of student ambassadors and environmental advocates, accompanied by Biology Department chair Dr. Benjamin Bolo and faculty member Dr. Mary Victory Gutierrez.  

Discussions throughout the summit revealed the complex realities behind environmental policymaking. Quezon City Rep. Vincent Vinarao pointed out that even seemingly simple measures, such as sachet bans, are often perceived as “anti-poor,” highlighting the socio-economic challenges that governments must address. Meanwhile, Ma. Lourdes Nicole Liu of SM Investments Corp. and Department of Environment and Natural Resources official Atty. Ivy De Pedro emphasized that accountability, cooperation, and private sector participation remain essential for effective sustainability laws.