The Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) participated as a resource organization in the Greenspeak webinar: “Sew It Goes: Exploring Innovative Wastewater Solutions”, held virtually on 25 April 2025 via Microsoft Teams. The webinar, organized under the Local Sparks Program of Arcadis, gathered 345 participants from various regions to discuss sustainable and innovative approaches to wastewater management.
The webinar featured a discussion led by Ms. Amy Lecciones, Vice President and Executive Director of SCPW, who highlighted the role of wetlands and constructed wetlands as nature-based solutions (NbS) for wastewater treatment. Her presentation provided an overview of wetland types, their ecological importance, and the threats they face, while also linking global wetland conservation efforts to local applications in the Philippines. She discussed SCPW’s experience in implementing constructed wetlands, including examples in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and Calauan, Laguna, and emphasized how these systems help address water pollution while supporting ecosystem restoration.
The key focus of the discussion was the Green Filters Facility at the Panguil River Ecopark, one of SCPW’s frontrunner initiatives under the Living Lakes, Biodiversity and Climate Project (LLBCP). Ms. Lecciones explained how the facility uses bioremediation techniques such as bioaugmentation and biostimulation to treat wastewater in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner. She also shared practical insights on system design, land requirements, plant selection, and operational challenges, as well as the importance of community and local government support in ensuring long-term sustainability.
The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, where participants raised technical and policy-related questions on treatment capacity, plant selection, compliance requirements, and financing mechanisms. Ms. Lecciones also introduced the Green Filters Replication Toolkit, officially launched in March 2025, which aims to guide local governments, organizations, and communities interested in adopting similar nature-based wastewater treatment solutions.
By engaging with international audiences through platforms such as the Greenspeak webinar, SCPW continues to strengthen knowledge exchange and promote wetlands as practical, scalable solutions to water pollution and climate challenges. These discussions reinforce the message that wetlands are our lifeline—supporting water security, biodiversity, and resilient communities when protected and wisely managed.
