Plant-Based Campus Lauches in the Philippines
Photo of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines signing a Plant-Forward Policy Action Plan with Youth for Just Food Systems.
The first Plant-Based Campus (PBC) campaign in the Philippines has launched at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in partnership with Youth for Just Food Systems (YJFS), a youth-led nonprofit leading national food system change. This is the second PBC campaign outside of the Nordics, following the recent launch at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, and is its 16th PBC campaign.
The Philippines is among the countries most exposed to the effects of the climate crisis, facing recurring heatwaves, typhoons, and rising food insecurity. As one of the most populous countries in Southeast Asia, with a large student population, and rising meat consumption, the Philippines was identified by Plant-Based Campus as a high-priority country for expansion.
Transitioning PUP's catering to 100% plant-based options would mark a significant step for sustainability among Philippine universities, and would build on the university's existing commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
Castle Reynera, National Convener of YJFS, says:
Our food system is not inevitable, and young people should not have to inherit one built around industrial animal agriculture, environmental destruction, and unequal access to good food. Universities can either reproduce that system or become places where we actively build an alternative. Plant-Based Campus is about organizing students to choose the latter: transforming our institutions from the ground up and proving that a more just, sustainable, and plant-based food system is possible.
The team has already signed a detailed Policy Action Plan with the PUP administration, which commits the university to taking a number of concrete steps towards plant-forward catering, including by working with existing concessionaires and supporting meaningful changes to multiple programme curriculums. PBC PUP are already in process of starting a 100% plant-based and student-led catering service, which is expected to launch in a few months’ time and positively impact hundreds of meals per week.
Looking to 2027, PBC Philippines intend to host the first of its kind Philippines Summer Camp to welcome students from across the country to learn about food systems, and critically engage in the grassroots and nonviolent methods which can be used to create change in campuses and other institutions.
Photo of campaigners putting up posters on campus.
Plant-Based Campus is now supporting their efforts and helping to expand the campaign to more universities across the country. Kevin Linton, PBC support for the Philippines says:
"Partnering with Youth for Just Food Systems means we're not starting from zero, we're building on a campaign that already understands its community, campus, and administration deeply. We're excited to support and build on the momentum, and to learn from YJFS's approach as we look to grow across the region."
Fill out the form (here) to get involved with PBC PUP, join another campaign, or start a new one.
Plant-Based Campus is a democratic student-led campaign working with universities and higher education institutions to transition to 100% plant-based catering to reduce environmental impacts.
