IJECE Published Articles

Abstract The study explored the responses of government institutions and community stakeholders to the challenges of implementing Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) Responsible Consumption and Production in the Philippines. Using a qualitative narrative approach, the research examined how national policies, local initiatives, and collaborative practices shaped the country’s progress toward sustainability. Findings revealed three major themes: policy implementation gaps, community empowerment, and collaborative sustainability. First, institutional weaknesses such as fragmented coordination, limited resources, and short-term political agendas hindered the translation of sustainability policies into effective programs. Second, communities responded to these gaps through self-initiated environmental efforts, including waste segregation, upcycling, and composting projects, which reflected empowerment and a shared sense of responsibility. Third, collaborative governance and policy innovation emerged as transformative pathways, where partnerships among local government units, non-government organizations, and private sectors fostered inclusive and adaptive sustainability models. The interplay between governance structures and grassroots participation highlighted that sustainable development could not be achieved by policy reform alone, but through collective ownership and long-term cooperation. The study concluded that strengthening participatory governance, institutional coherence, and innovation systems is essential for realizing SDG 12 in the Philippine context. By fostering collaboration between government and communities, sustainability initiatives can evolve from fragmented projects into integrated, equitable, and resilient systems of responsible consumption and production.