Working with its country lead, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) successfully concluded its first in-country training on “Circular Economy for Business” on 27 January 2026 at Summit Galleria Cebu.
Co-hosted by CCCI and ACEBA, with support from the European Union-funded SWITCH-Asia Programme, the full-day training brought together more than 20 business representatives from sectors including food processing, hospitality, shipbuilding, and manufacturing. The training aimed to equip Cebu-based enterprises with practical knowledge and tools to integrate circular economy principles into their operations, enhancing competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth.
The programme provided a comprehensive introduction to the circular economy, from core concepts, strategies, business models, and regional best practices to relevant policies and standards in the Philippines and across ASEAN. A central feature of the training was the introduction of ACEBA’s SADI Framework (Stocktake–Ambition–Delivery–Integration), a structured action menu designed to help businesses circularize their products, operations, inputs, and outputs.
Participants engaged in four core thematic sessions:
· Circular Economy Principles and Applications, highlighting the environmental and business rationale for circularity;
· Product Strategies and Business Models, exploring practical tools to embed circular design and processes into operations;
· SADI Framework for Implementation, providing step-by-step guidance for adopting circular practices; and
· Policy and Standards for Market Transformation, examining public procurement, extended producer responsibility, and operational standards that enable circular economy uptake.
Through interactive workshops and exercises, participants explored topics such as energy-efficient technologies, industrial symbiosis, sustainable packaging, and responsible production, balancing profitability with environmental and social responsibility.
Expert inputs were delivered by Mr. Thomas Thomas, Founder and Chairman of Araiba Sdn Bhd, and Dr. Rene Van Berkel, an international circular economy specialist, who shared regional success stories, implementation frameworks, and strategies to scale circular solutions locally.
Reflecting on the training, Mr. Alan Magusara of Tsuneishi Technical Services Inc. noted:
“Circular economy is a good initiative, but it requires all stakeholders to embrace it. Starting small today can build momentum for long-term impact.”
Through this initiative, CCCI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Cebu businesses in their sustainability journey and positioning the region as a leader in Southeast Asia’s transition towards a circular economy.