DATE . 12 SEP 2019

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By RHODINA VILLANUEVA sound of a chainsaw as they passed through Barangay Pasadena. Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Veguilla's group followed Natural Resources (DENR) is calling for the enactment of a law the sound until they saw some creating an enforcement bureau within the agency. men slicing a felled tree with a chainsaw. These men suddenly ran "We believe that the creation of such as the killing of Mt Veguilla to away upon seeing the DENR team, an enforcement bureau under the happen to any of my people. This leaving behind the chainsaw which DENR can effectively stop illegal incident shows how greed and Veguilla's group was able to secure. logging, smuggling of wildlife disregard for our laws can have ap- On their way home and about a species and other environmental palling consequences on people and hundred meters away from the site, crimes," Cimatu pointed out. our society" Cimatu added. the DENR forest officers were chased The DENR chief appealed to Reports reaching the DENR cen- by a group of six men armed with House members present during tral office in Quezon City showed a bolo. Veguilla was able to the his the recent budget hearing to help that Veguilla - together with fellow service weapon as he and his com- the DENR install this enforcement forest ranger Jenuel Casel, forest panions were running for safety. bureau at the soonest time possible. extension officer Herson Caliao, However, Veguilla was cornered This developed after Cimatu con- and park rangers Marvin Flamiano, and hacked to death, while the oth- demned the brutal killing of DENR Godensio Caber and Norlito Jongay ers were able to seek help from the forest ranger Bienvenido Veguilla - were conducting forest patrol in nearby barangay and police offices. Jr. by suspected illegal loggers in El the afternoon of Sept. 4 in an area Veguilla sustained deep, multiple Nido, Palawan recently. covered by the National Green- stab wounds on the head, arms and "I will never allow another crime ing Program when they heard the other parts of the body.

One of the suspects identified as Filman Flores was wounded by Veguilla's shots and was brought to hospital. Flores and another suspect, Gerardo Fulgencio, are now under police custody. A manhunt opera- tion is ongoing for the remaining four suspects. Earlier, the DENR chief said they have subjected to training forest ri rangers on the use of shotgun for their protection. Cimatu said the standard operat- ing procedure is every time patrol- ling activities are conducted, these forest rangers should be accompa- nied by personnel from the Philip- pine National Police or the Army. He added that their move is limited to that for now as there is no law authorizing them to arm forest rangers. STRATEGIC HILIPPINE DAILY PER PAGE 1 BANNER EWIORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION WPM rMikkeiz7 pth9 STORY STORY N IT IATI RES PAGE LOWER SERVICE IN UIRER 12 SEP 2019

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LSITORIAL Martyrs for the land nother environmental defender has been murdered. Forest ranger Bienvinido Veguilla Jr., 44, was hacked to death in El Nido, Palawan, on Sept. 4 while he was trying to arrest suspected illegal loggers. Veg- It is not only environmental workers that are uWa is the country's latest casualty in getting killed; Global Witness said indigenous peo- the violence being committed against ple "are disproportionately affected by the scram- those who protect their land and the ble for land and natural resources, and the violence environment. His killing further wors- that comes with it." It cited the October 2018 mas- Aens the Philippines' reputation as the deadliest sacre in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, of nine sug- country for environmental defenders in 2018, ac- arcane farmers occupying a plot of disputed land. cording to international monitor Global Witness. The situation has not improved under President Thirty of them were killed last year alone. Duterte, with 48 deaths—the highest number Glob- Veguilla and five other rangers of the Depart- al Witness has recorded in an Asian country—in ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 2017 alone, a year after the former Davao City may- were conducting a forest patrol in an area covered or became president. Also in 2017, Mr. Duterte an- by the National Greening Program when they heard nounced plans to allocate 1.6 million hectares of the sound of a chainsaw nearby. They followed the land to industrial plantations, most of them in Min- sound and discovered men slicing a felled tree. The danao. "This region," Global Witness noted, refer- men ran away, but later, armed with bolos, cornered ring to Mindanao, "has also become a hot spot for the DENR team on their way back to the office, lead- murders of land and environmental defenders, ac- ing to Veguilla's death. counting for 67 percent of the total killed in the This was not the first time an environmental de- Philippines in 2017 and a third in 2018." fender has been attacked or murdered in Palawan— In an interview with global nonprofit media the country's so-called last frontier, with 692,288 company Public Radio International, environmen- hectares of forest cover hosting flora and fauna of tal activist Jaybee Garganera said people like him great diversity. In September 2017, Ruben Arzaga, a face daunting challenges in the Philippines, where member of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource it "is easy for local communities to be tagged as Protected Area board, was shot and killed while he was bandits or rebels or communist insurgents." The arresting suspected illegal loggers. In August that same Duterte administration had accused the massacred year, government forester Lito Eyala was shot and Negros farmers, for example, as being backed by severely injured by a suspected timber poacher while the communist armed group New People's Army. patrolling the mountains in Puerto Princesa City. Indeed, as stark and telling as the unabated These attacks had prompted Environment Sec- killings of land and environmental defenders is the retary Roy Cimatu, a former Armed Forces chief of lack of meaningful investigations by the government staff, to have DENR personnel trained in handling into those behind these crimes. In a time of normal- shotguns. Cimatu reasoned then that he would ized, everyday bloodbath, the fight has become two- "never allow" another crime to be committed fold: protecting not only the environment, but also against any DENR personnel, and asked lawmakers those who risk their lives defending what's left of it. to pass a law establishing an enforcement bureau to boost the implementation of environmental laws. The standard operating procedure to have police or army personnel accompany forest rangers on pa- trol was not adequate, he said, since uniformed per- sonnel were not available all the time. "Hindi no- man kami pwede mag- hire ng security guard to help k us in the patroling. In the end, sana mayroon no tay- ong betas na makatulong so atin," Cimatu added. The DENR chief had been pushing for arming per- sonnel since Arzaga's death in 2017—a move opposed by Kalilcasan (People's Network for the Environment), which has warned that armed forest guards can be transformed into paramilitary groups that may end up harassing and repressing local communities. Global Witness' report cm the Philippines hav- ing become the most murderous country for envi- ronmentalists also made a similar warning in its re- port, saying that these crimes "are aided by the peo- ple and institutions meant to prevent them."

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DENR, MICC working to improve mining policies'

dustry needs are amendments of HE Department of Environ- at the ongoing Mining Philippines DA0 2010-21, or the implementing mentandNatural Resources. 2019: International Conference and rules and regulation of Republic (DENR) and the Mining Exhibition at the Sofitel Philippine T Plaza in Pasay City Wednesday. Act 7942; a separate initiative to Industry Coordinating Council amend sections 189-92, also of the (MICC) areworldng to improve sev- Teh, the DENR's undersecretary IRR of RA 8942; the guidelines for eral policies affecting the minerals for dimate change and mining con- the Care andMaintenance Program development sector to boost the cerns, spoke on the government's way for Mining; and amendment to the country's growth and development. forward for the mining industry. implementing rules and regula- ThiswasdisclosedbyEnvironment Teh said four priority items tions of Republic Act 7076 or the Undersecretary for Climate Change that will make the government's People's Small Scale Mining Act. and Mining Concerns Analiza R. Teh mining policies responsive to in-

"Hopefully, with allthese pend- ing policies with the cooperation of the mining industry, slowly, we can formulate new policies that will really be responsive to the needs of the mining industry, support their investments and at the same time the environmental safeguards are properlytaken care of," she said. SEE "MICC," Aa 1 Moe I TANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY ThAM LINI CATION STORY PAGE sithems".•„,„„„„yeassie INITIATIVES JlusincssMirror SERVICE IITAA s ADAAAT INN 12 SEP 2019 One PAGE TITLE

it calls anti-mining policies starting with the controversial closure and suspension MICC. orders of more than half of the country's CONTINUED FROM AS operating mines, the ban on open-pit mining, During the forum,Teh said the government cancellation of 75 mineral production and is one with the industry in addressing sharing agreement for inactive projects policy gaps for it to be able to capitalize within or near "watersheds." on opportunities in the global scene, but Prior to that, COMP sustained setbacks with underscored the need for the government the signing of E0 79 which imposesa moratorium and the industry to work together to improve on new mining applications pending the public perception of mining. legislation of a new fiscal regime for mining. Until such time thatthe publicis convinced Amendments to existing policies like of the mining industry's capacity to do mining the IRR of the Philippine Mining Act will be responsibly, the government will continue to an opportunity to integrate MICC's views on implement strict regulationsasa way to ensure certain policy needs for the industry's growth environment protection. and development, she said. Recently, the Indonesian government During her talk, she shared the MICC bared plans to advance a new ban on nickel observation on recommending the rifting of the ore export by 2020. Teh shared the industry's ban on open-pitmining method on select minerals concernsthat there is a need to address policy under DAD 2017-10. Teh said open-pit mining gaps for the industry to capitalize on this method is a globally-accepted method of mining. Also, she said, not all open-pit mines development. She saidthe Mining Industry Coor-dinating produce acidic contaminants, and that there Council (MIC() is discussing thoroughlythese are best practices,techniquesandtechnologies issues in developing an industry road map to that can help avoid or Manage the negative boost the country's mineral sector. impacts of open-pit mining. COMP, which was affected by a 10-month The MICC noted, she said, that there are crackdown on erring mining operations by existing policies or laws that designate areas the late Environment Secretary Regina Paz that are closed to mining applications. L. Lopez, has been appealing to reverse what Jonathan L. Mayuga

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UNE . PAGE I/ DENR: Changes to make-- mining policies more responsive

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENA) assured the mining industry govern- ment is working on better policies to boost the growth and development of mining firms. Analiza Teh, DENA undersecretary for dimate thangeandmining ooncerns, said the agency identified four priority , items that will make the government's mining polides responsive in industry needs daningthe ongoing lifiningPhliip- pines 2019 forum at Pasay City. The said among the key policies that are being fine-tuned include the amendments to the implementing rules and regulations of the Min- ing Act instituting a new system of , mineral resources exploration, de- velopment, utilization and conserva- tion; the guidelines for the case and Resilient. Mining companies welcome the findings of the audit on their operations, where only three of the 26 failed. maintenance program for mining programs; and the amendment to taken care of," Teh said. acidic contaminants and that there are as a result of a previous audit was well- the implementing rules and regula- She said amendments to the exist- best practices, technique and technolo- received by the industry. tions of the act creating a people's ing policies will be an opportunity gies that can help Avoid or manage the 'The MICC audit was thorough small-scale mining program. to work with various stakeholders negative impacts of the process and all-encompassing.. As it involved "Hopefully, with all these pending to integrate some of the recom- The Chamberof Mines of the Phil- not only environmental performance .1 policies with the cooperation of the mendations of the Mining Industry ippines (COMP) meanwhile remains but also legal, technical and social j mining industry, slowly, we can for- Coordinating Council (MICC) on positive over the industry's resilience prescriptions by individuals that were mulate new policies that will really be issues such as the open-pit method despite uncertainties in the sedDr. experts in those fields. his good news responsive to the needs of the mining ban provided that adequate environ- In the same forum, COMP chairman because out of the 26, only three failed. industry, support their investments mental safeguards are put in place. Gerard Brimo said the completion of Some others were asked to do reme- and at the same time (ensure) the Based on the MICC recommenda- the MICC audits on 26 companies that dial work, but the fact is that the vast environmental safeguards are properly tion, not all open-pit mines produce were served donne or suspension arias majority passed," Btimo said.

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HE Department of Envi- priority by the DENR to address Exhibition, said there are insinu- ronment and Natural Re- policy gaps affecting the miner- ations that small-scale mining Tsources (DENR) is willing als development sector. should be allowed outside Mina- to streamline the process for the Issuance of mining permit for hang Bayan. application of "Minahang Sayan" small-scaleminingisdoneonlyafter "During the recent budget but maintains the need to limit a Minahang Bayan is declared. But hearing in the House of Repre- small-scale mining operation the process is seen as very tedious sentatives, the issue of Minah- within a designated area as man- which tendto slowdown small-scale ang Bayan was brought up. Be- dated by Executive Order (EO) 79 mining activities. -cause the process in declaring and consistent with Republic Act Environment Undersecretary Minahang Bayan is very te- 7076, or the People's Small-Scale for Climate Change and Min- dious: Teh recalled. Mining Act. ing Concerns Analiza R. Teh, In response, Teh said the An amendment to the imple- who spoke on government's way DENR can streamline the pro- menting rules and regulations forward for the mining indus- cess but to regulate small-scale of the People's Small-Scale Min- try during the ongoing Mining mining activities, the declaration ing Act has been identified as a Philippines 2019 Conference and of Minahang Bayan is a must to

regulate the sector and ensure she said they are thinking of environmental protection. requiring ECC after a mining "Under EC 79, we stopped the permit has been issued "which • issuance of small-scale mining signals the start of actual min- permit. A requirement is having a ing operation." declaredMinahangBayan—which "There are otherprocesseswe are requires an approved environmen- looking at to streamline the process tal compliance certificate [ECC]," of approving Minahang Bayan ap- she said. plication," she said. Meanwhile, one of the re- Currently, there are only 29 quirements under the Peo- declared Minahang Bayan in the ple's Small-Scale Mining Act• country. There are around 300,000 is also the need to secure the to 500,000 small-scale miners who so-called Free, Prior and In- depend on small-scale mining as a formed Consent, she said. source of income and livelihood. To streamline the process, lonathant.Mayuga fininniGIC PAGE I BANNER EDHORIAt CARTOON . r Com MUN I CATION STORY STORY Isiasso°".""/ INITIATIVES vonstallt Bum' essMinor SEIRVICI - Irma° hkollaikniErnkv 12 ::?20;g

DAT( RAGE I/ 172.., !ME Despite unresolved policy issues, mining still upbeat

@jonlmayuga BY JONATHAN L. MAYIJGA ESPITE unresolved policy issues that adversely affect its growth, the minerals development sector remains alS2611.11 .11"" Dupbeat about the future and will keep going The number of companies served closure or suspension beyond mere compliance with mining and orders as a result of a previous environmental laws to prove its resilience, the audit. Only three of the 26 Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) failed, and some others were asserted on Wednesday. asked to do remedial work to be addressedby the government, all its resilience—by operating re- Speaking at the ongoing 2019 including the moratorium on new sponsibly and going beyond mere mining permits until a new fiscal Mining Philippine Conference and compliance as it has done so in the Exhibition in Pasay City, COMP regime is put in place under Execu- past. tive Order 79. The ban on the open Chairman Gerard H. Brimo chal- He said many policy gaps need lenged the industry to prove to pit miningmethodis anotherpolicy issue needing final resolution, he said. He noted that COMP continues to work with lawmakers to push for a more competitive fiscal re- gime and the lifting of the open pit ban as recommended by the Min- ing Industry Coordinating Council (MICC). Despite the policy stalemates, he said the industry can hold on to some good news. The completion of the MICC audits on 26 companies that were served closure or suspension orders as a result of a previous audit, he said, is one such positive news for the industry. SEE "MINING: A2 &....s.,,,, S.Ell AT EG IC r'PER PAGE I RANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION A-; STORY STORY WWWW.W...... INITIATIVES Bum' essMinor PAGE LOWER SvuvicE 1.."...... IbtoW,i4aibrhi Tly. tow

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Mining. . . CONTINUED PROM AS

He said a vast majority passed the. MICC audit criteria, which he described as more thorough and encompassing. "The MICC audit was thorough and all-encompassing...as it in- volvednot only environmentalper- formance but also legal, technical and social prescriptions by indi- viduals that were experts in those fields. It is good news because out of the 26, only three failed. Some others were asked to do remedial work, but the fact is that the vast majority passed," he said. Brimo said although the repu- tation of the mining industry suf- fered tremendously because of the attacks that it has gone through in the recent past, the MICC audit paints a better picture. However, he "expects to repair the damaged image of the industry to take some time and a concerted effort of the industry is needed to prove that it operates responsibly, by communicatingits accomplishments. "To my% mind, that means not just mere compliance, but going beyond," Brim° stressed. "Going beyond mere compliance is the reason why COMP decided to adopt the Towards Sustainable Mining [TSM] initiative of the Mining Association of Canada," - he added. "TSM represents a series of sustainable 'best' practices that we should implement and rate our- selves against. In certain aspects, the program goes beyond regula- tory compliance. :Working with our member- cdmpanies, we have now completed the. selection of Protocols and are almost finished with the review of Indicators under each of the Proto- cols," he said. COMP, he said, also completed the formation of the Community of Interest (COI) Advisory Panel, which is critical in implementing TSM. The Panel is composed of 12 high-level individuals in their re- spective fields, and three Chamber trustees who will serve in the Panel on an ex-officio basis. COMP will announce the compo- sition of the Philippine COI Panel shortly.

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THE PHILIPPINES is known as the world's second Call for better policies biggest supplier, next to Indonesia, of nickel, which marks mining summit is used to make stainless steel and is a component of Despite the Philippines be- batteries. The Philippines A BETTER POLICY ENVIRON- is estimated to currently MENT is needed to help the ing known as having significant mineral reserves, miners have account for a fifth of global mining sector achieve its po- mined nickel supply. tentials, experts said in annual been operating in a negative BW FILE PHOTO industry summit on Wednesday. policy environment since the government in 2012 imposed a Mining, "We need to awaken the full from SI/ i potential of the mining industry moratorium on new mining per- and it means shifting the gov- mits until a new law is enacted that gives the government a big- reading in the 17th Congress; but volume or weight." ernment regulatory approach failed to hurdle the Senate before "As of now, 10% of GIR (gross from a restrictive develop- ger share in industry revenues. Such a measure has been re- the June 3 adjournment. international reserves) is gold," mental policy regime... " Victor Pocholo C. Domondon, assur- BSP Senior Assistant Governor Andres C. Manhit, president of filed in the 18'h Congress and is nowbeing discussed at the com- ance partner of Isla Lipana & Co., and General Counsel Elmore 0. Stratbase Albert del Rosario In- said much depends "on predict- Capule said during the confer- stitute, said during the second mittee level in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. ability as well as consistency with ence. day of the Mining Philippines respect to policy, given the fact Despite the currently nega- 2019 International Conference Among others, the measure proposes to reduce the royalty that this is a capital intensive in- tive policy environment, latest and Exhibition in Pasay City. dustry." available data from the Mines and "Balanced environmental on large-scale mining within mineral reserves to three per- Under the proposed new tax Geosciences Bureau showed that governance is the key to real- 'regime, small-scale miners will nickel ore production actually izing and unlocking the trans- cent of gross output from five percent currently and introduce also be levied a royalty equivalent grew three percent to 11.306 mil- formative potential of resource to one-tenth of one percent of lion dry metric tons (DMT) in the management and sustainable a 1-5% margin-based royalty on those outside mineral reserves. gross output, whether the con- first half of 2019. mining activities." tractor operates within or outside Production of gold was up six In the same event, Depart- At present, only miners op- erating within mineral reserves mineral reservations. percent to 11,078 kilograms (kg), ment of Environment and The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi- are levied a royalty. while silver was up seven percent Natural Resources (DENR) nas (BSP) is mandated by RA 7076 to 15,849 kg. Undersecretary for Climate This will be imposed on top of other taxes like corporate to purchage all gold produced by Copper production was also Change and Mining Concerns small-scale miners "at prices up during the period by 14% to Analiza R. Teh said: "we hope income tax, excise tax which Republic Act No. 10963 doubled competitive with those prevailing 156,745 DMT. — Vincent Muriel to... formulate new policies that in the world market regardless of P. Galang would really be responsive to to four percent, the royalty to the needs of the mining industry indigenous communities and lo- to support their investments cal business tax, among others. and at the same time ensure that This was the same version environmental safeguards are the House approved on third properly taken cared of." Mining, S1/4

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DATE PAGE I/ Five projects seen boosting growth of Philippine mining sector

ects that are expected to increase need for the mining industry to , IVE mining projects are ex- "address the problems on environ- pected to boost growth of the the contribution of the mining sec- tor to the economy. These are the mental degradation, unsustainable country's mining sector. • u Tampakan Copper-Gold project in mining practices and human rights Environment Undersecretary South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and violation" to ensure the success of for Climate Change and Mining Davao del Sur with a total capital these projects. Concerns Analiza Teh said the "The government and the indus- potential of the mining sector to- investment of $8.20 billion; Kingk- ing Copper-Gold mining project in try need to work on improving public be in the forefront of economic perception and enhance public con- development "has yet to be com- Compostela Valley—$2.29 billion; Silangan Copper-Goldin Surigao del fidence in the industry's capacity to pletely realized." Norte—$4O.43 billion; the Pujada implement genuine responsible min- "Our goal now is how to maximize Nickel project in Davao Oriental— ing," she noted. thispotentialtoboostgrowthwithout Pitch Solutions Macro Research compromising the protection of the $540.36 billion; and the Balabag Gold-Silver project in Zamboanga earlier said Philippine mining, par- environment and ensuring the sus- ticularly the nickel sector, can get tainability of mining practices," Teh del Sur—$l.04 billion. "These miningprojects are expect- a relief from Indonesia's nickel ore saidin her keynote speech Tuesday at ed to bring billions of dollars worth' exportban startingJanuary 1, 2020, the opening of the three-day Mining of revenues during its operations," two years earlier than originally Conference held at Sofitel Philippine scheduled 2022. . she said. Plaza in Pasay City. However, Teh underscored the This has createdanopportunitYfor Teh identified five mining proj- Philippine nickel miners "to alleviate the impending supply shortfall in In- donesia—the largest nickel producer globally," according to the report by Fitch Solutions Macro Research. "We believe nickel smelters in China, which currently import the majority of their ore from Indonesia, willlikely look to the Philippines as an alternative source of supply, due to its proximityandsubstantialnickelmin- ing capacity," it added. Last year, the Philippines was the second-biggest nickel ore supplier to China, next to Indonesia. In the first half of 2019, however, the Philippines became China's top source of the material used in stain- less steel andbatteries, andwill likely maintain that status next year. PNA

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TIM _ rfb e curious case of the mining audit

Val A. Villanueva BUSINESS WISE

HE long-delayed publication of the mining audit by Me De- partment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Twhich should provide transparency on which mining firms have been cleared to Operate, remains contentious, as the agency's Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh continues to keep mum when pressed by reporters why the audit remains a secret. Teh heads the agency's Climate Change Service and Mining Concerns

Reporters who buttonholed Teh Technically, Paje's suspension or- on Tuesday at the sidelines of the der should have already been super- Mining Philippines 2019 Interna- sededbywhatever outcome the audit tional Conference and Exhibition in would lead to. Those mining firms Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City, ordered "suspended" during Paje's couldn't get her commitment as to time which passed the audit should whentheauditwouldbemadepublic. havealreadybeen cleared to operate. BusinessWise, however, was able In echoing this opinion, a source at to get a copy of the complete audit (a the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 5-inch thick document) from DENR (MGB) said that the audit is all en- insiders andpublishedthelistofmin- compassing, and the results should ersthatpassedthegradein aprevious have already addressed all pertinent column, "Miningindustryinlimbo." environmental issues. The succeeding column, "Miners cry To those who may not have read injustice," cited that Department of my previous column, here's the list Finance (DOE) Undersecretary Bay- of mi ners andtheirrespective scores. artiAgabin confirmedthe authentic- They were assessedbased on the cri- ity of the list in a phone interview. teria and the benchmarks on social, In the list obtained by this paper, technical, legal and environmental 24 mining firms out of the 27 that aspects of their operations. Agabin were orderedshutdown in 2017 have said: "The systemwassuch thatthree been given the green light; the other is the highest score; two is minor re- three failed the audit. forms needed, [and) one is for major During Tuesday's mining forum, reforms. Zero is not acceptable...the Teh revealed that the "suspension" passing score is 1.5." of mining operations of two com- The 24 miners that passed the panies may soon be lifted, namely: audit were: Oceana Gold Philip- Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. pines-2.92; Hinatuan Mining (ZDMC) and Strong Built Mining Corp.-2.74; CTP Construction and Development Corp. (SBMDC). She Mining Corp.-2.46; Emir Minerals said that the others will still have to Corp.-2.44; Lepanto Consolidated be evaluatedwhether theyhavecom- Mining Corp.-2.30; Marcventures plied with the corrective measures. Mining and Development Corp.- Note here that Teh was talking 2.30; AAMPHIL Nat. Res. Explora- about suspension, while the audit tion 213-2.28; Adnama Mining Re- concerns the shutting down of min- sources Inc.-2.24; Ci tinickel Mines ing operations. To recall, then DENR and Development-2.24; Berong Secretary Ramon Paje ordered the Nickel Corp.-2.20; Strongbuilt suspension of severalminingcompa- Mining Development Corp.-2.16; nies due to environmental concerns. Wellex Mining Corp. Mine 2-2.16; When the late Gina Lopez took over Carrascal Nickel Corp.-2.14; Era- the helm of the DENR, she expanded men Minerals-1.90; WellexMining the listand includedthosewhich she Corp. Mine 1-1.90; Libjo Mining claimed to be sitting on watersheds. Corp.-1.84; LNL Archipelago Min- Lopez shut down—and not merely erals Inc.-1.78; Benguet Corp.- suspended—the operations of these 1.74; Krominco Inc.-1.68; Mt. Sinai mining companies, a move that was Mining Exploration and Develop- even harsher. The third-party audit ment-1.68; Zambales Diversified focused on the mining firms that have been shut down, and not just suspended.

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Metals Corp.-1.68; Benguet Corp. NickelMines Inc.-1.64; Oriental Vi- sion Mining Philippine Corp.-1.64, Which among the mining firms and Sinosteel Philippine, NY, Mining subjected to the audit have been Corp.-1.62. granted the green light to resume The three miners that failed the normal operations, including min- audit were: Oriental Synergy Min- ing, hauling and exporting? ing Corp.-1.10; Ore Asia Mining Why have some companies and Dev. Corp.-0.96, and Claver which passed the audit been pre- - Mineral Development Corp.-0.78. vented from .resuming normal op- While their operations remained erations? closed, thegovernmentallowedsome Which companies have been of these companies to continue ex- allowed to return to normal opera- portingtheir stockpiles, to which the tions, and which ones have not been late Gina Lopez grudgingly acceded cleared? to. Keeping the excavated minerals at the respective depot is an envi- ronmental concern. Now that their stockpiles are runninglow, the min- ers cleared by the audit are at a loss . as to what happens next. For those companies that have "It's been almost two years since passed the audit orbeen granted Stay we've been cleared," an industry Orders from the OP, will the DENA- source lamented, "but we remain in- MGB nowrelease the issuance of Ore active, all the while paying our credi- Transport Permits and Mineral Ore tors, employees and contractors. Export Permits, or will these per- The hemorrhage is so severe that we, mits continue to be withheld? Why don't know any more what to do to or why not? stop the bleeding. The government It is deplorable how the huge pc- should at least tell us what our next tentialofthe country'sminingindus- step is, whether we stay or not. We try remains untapped, and mired in could not remain in limbo forever." a cobweb of neglect. Askedbyreporters why the DENR has not made the audit public, Teh For comments and suggestions, e-mail me at said thatit was the DENRwhich pro- [email protected] posed it "because several companies have requested for a copy of the full reportand...pursuant to all executive order on the right to information and state policy on full disclosure, there's a provision there that, be- cause we have submitted the report to the Office of the President [ON, and it is recommendatory in nature, we cannot disclose the full report." Teh was silent when asked why the audit was directly submitted to the OP and not to the affected min- ing firms, which are demanding full transparency. My industry source asked: "Without the audit results, how do we address the findings or vindicate ourselves of the closure charges of DENA Secretary Gina Lopez [and prove] that [we] were wrongfully and arbitrarily closed? Has government deprived the in- dustry of due process for the second time?Isgovernmentafraidtobesued for damages resulting from the au- dit which will acquit the miners of wrongdoing?" BusinessWise tried but failed to get Teh's side as her two listed phone numbers remained unan- swered between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday. I would have wanted to ask her the following questions, and her responses wouldhave helped en- lighten the industry about this issue once and for all: STRATEGIC HILIPPINE DAILY UPPE PAGI BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION KeitiAW4gicon STORY STORY ea& Alz I I INITIATIVES PAGE WER a'Sr SERVICE IN UIRER 12 SEP 2019

DATE Capiz reinstates ban on mining

ILOILO CITY—The provincial board of Capiz has reinstated a province-wide moratorium on mining to heed the clamor of environmental groups. An ordinance approved during the board's Sept 3 ses- sion imposes an indefinite moratorium on large- scale mining activities in 26 towns and thccapital, Roxas City. The ban, first imposed in 1999 and ex- tended to so years in 2002, was lifted after the 2016 elections. -STORY BY NESTOR P.BURGOS JR. Al2 Capiz reinstates ban On large-scale mining Groups laud prov'l execs for standing up for environment, people's interest

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. ment in the country and were @nestorburgosINQ hailed by environmental groups and advocates who ILOILO CITY—The provincial had campaigned for the mora- board of Capiz has listened to torium for more than two the clamor to reinstate a ban on decades. • large-scale mining operations But just two days after the in the province. national and local elections in Provincial Ordinance No. May 2026, the ordinances were 003, series of 2019, which im- repealed by the then outgoing poses an indefinite nioratori- provincial board. um on large-scale mining activ- The board said that it lifted ities in the province was ap- the moratorium due to the eco- proved unanimously by 2.1 nomic and social benefits that board members present during Capiz would derive from min- the board's session on Sept. 3. ing activities. The ban covers the 16 towns But the city council of Roxas and the capital Roxas City, and municipal councils of at spanning a total land area of least seven towns issued sepa- 2,596 square kilometers. rate resolutions against the The Capiz Environmental lifting of the moratorium. Protection Alliance (Cepa), which led the continuous cam- Public hearing paign to reinstate the morato- Environmental advocates rium, lauded the board for fi- led by Cepa pushed on' with nally listening to the senti- their campaign to convince the ments of the public. board to reinstate the morato- "We welcome the ordi- rium. Their plea was finally nance and laud the provincial heeded on Sept. 3. board members for standing "We should listen to the up for the environment and sentiments of the people who the people's interest," said are saying no to large-scale Darlene Surriga, Cepa advoca- mining," board member Mateo cy officer. Hachuela, author of the ordi- "Our experience has shown nance, told the Inquirer. that large-scale mining opera- Hachuela, a first-term tions have not uplifted the TRIBE'S VOICE Members of indigenous peoples board member and chair of lives of farmers and other resi- communities in Capiz join a protest action in 2016 to call on the board's committee on en- dents of communities affected the provincial board to reinstate a mining moratorium in the vironment, said that his com- mittee conducted a public by mining. On the contrary, province. -PHOTO COURTESY OF CEPA many have suffered from envi- hearing on the ordinance on ronmental destruction and Aug. 23 and the overwhelming health hazards," she told the moratorium on all large-scale 2049, in another provincial or- sentiment was to reinstate the Inquirer. mining activities and the ac- dinance passed on Feb. 15, ban. ceptance and processing of all 2002. "The people, especially Landmark legislation application for mineral agree- These ordinances were those in communities that are On Aug. 27, 1999, the ments in Capiz. • considered landmark pieces affected by large-scale mining, provincial board passed an or- The moratorium was ex- of legislation, the first of its are against the operations," he dinance declaring a 15-year tended to so years, to last until kind passed by a local govern- said. INQ PER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON iAlk SI(11(MA.MrilTNI(1.CATION STORY STORY ...... „„..,„..... 100 IN JOURNAL PAGE TOWER .,...... " SERVICE 12 str, --..."- Everybody's Newspaper 2019

TITLE PAGE I/ T. DATE te; 5 projects seen to boost mining growM

ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Undersec- retary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns try to "address the problems on environmental degrada- Anal iza Teh said the potential of the mining sector tion, unsustainable mining practices, and human rights to be in the forefront of economic development "has violation" to ensure the success of these projects. yet to be completely realized". "The government and the industry need to work on "Our goal now is how to maximize this potential to improvingpublicperception and enhance public confi- dence in the industry's capacity to implement genuine boost growth without compromising the protection of responsible mining," she noted. the environrrtentand ensuring the sustainability of min- ing practices," Teh said in her keynote speech at the Fitch Solutions Macro Research earlier said mining, opening of the three-day Mining Conference held at particularly the nickel sector, can get a relief from Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City. Indonesia's nickel ore export ban starting January 1, She identified five mining projects that are expected 2020, two years earlier than originally scheduled 2022. to increase the contribution of the mining sector to the This has created an opportunity for local nickel economy. miners to alleviate the impending supply shortfall in These are the Tampalcan Copper-Gold project in Indonesia — the largest nickel producer globally," ac- South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur cording to the report by Fitch Solutions Macro Research. with a total capital investment of $8.20 billion; ICingking We believe nickel smelters in China, which currently Copper-Gold mining project in Compostela Valley — import the majority of their ore from Indonesia, will $2.29 billion; Silangan Copper-Gold in Surigao del Norte likely look to the Philippines as an alternative source of supply, due to its proximity and substantial nickel — $40.43 billion; the Pujada Nickel project in Davao mining capacity," it added. Oriental — P540.36 billion; and the Balabag Gold-Silver project in Zamboanga del Sur — P1.04 billion. Last year, the Philippines was the second-biggest "These mining projects are expected to bringbillions nickel ore supplier to China, next to Indonesia. of US dollars worth of revenues during its operations" In the first half of 2019,however, the country became she said. China's top source of the material used in stainless steel and batteries, and would likely maintain that status next HOwever,Teh stressed theneed for the mining indus- year. sTRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE 4.A UPPE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON comMUNICATION STORY STORY INMATIWITS OWER „ alelaill"MS c ea' aERVICE 019

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Children play on the branches of mangrove trees at the Baseco compound in Manila last Sunday. Amid the ongoing Manila Bay rehabilitation, a group of urban poor dwellers in Baseco successfully grew almost 1,000 mangrove seedlings. EDD GOWAN

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Manila Bay clean-up EVEN with thousands of volunteers from the public and private sectors, the government still has a long way to go in the gigantic task of cleaning and rehabilitating historic and sun- kissed Manila Bay. Since the start of the massive clean-up drive, organized by the Metropolitan Manila Develop- ment Authority (MMDA), more than 3,810 tons of garbage and water hyacinth have been removed fittm the bay. The Manila Bay rehabilitation program is un- der the auspices of the Department of Environ- ment and Natural Resources (DENR), which is headed by Secretary Roy eimatn, a retired mil- itary general. Supporting the multi-pronged program is PaVMA, chaired by retired Gene Danilo Linn, oth- er state offices and agencies, local government units, private groups, environmentalists and several non-government organizations. Lim, who used to command the battle-ready Army Scout Rangers, said they expect to collect more garbage during the clean-up drive, which is done every Saturday at the 1Baywalk and Baseco areas. Majority of those being collected from the bay are bamboo poles and driftwood which are car- ried by currents from nearby fish pens, water hyacinths, plastics, household wastes and other sorts of garbage. Aside from hauling. garbage, IVINIDA workers are focusing on cleaning major waterways,waterways like the Estero San Antonio de Abad, Tripa tie Padre Faura Drainage Main and Remedios Drainage Main. Without doubt, millions of pesos will have to be spent to rid Manila Bay of garbage, including toxic and hazardous wastes, dumped into ester- os, creeks, rivers, drainage canals and other waterways. We spend millions of pesos of Filipino taxpay- ers money just to remove the wastes indiscrim- inately dumped into waterways by commercial and other establishments owned by the rich. So, why not let the owners of these polluting establishments foot the bill? In fact, in the view of many, these polluters have the moral respon- sibility to help the government in cleaning Manila Bay. ..% Sri 1.1.611: EZI f. 1 I 1 6 UPPER 4RIAL CARTOON PiTGE I feSITA 1 COMMIINICAUT IN STORY STORY INI TI AllVES PAGE NimosoMNI SLITVIT. 12 SEP 2019

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EDITORYAL AKSYON AGAD ANG DEAR MABILIS na inaksyunan ng Department Environment and Natural Resources ang sumbang ng mga mamamayan sa Norzagaray at San Jose Del Mon- te City, Bulacan ukol sa Wacuman sanitary landfill na nag-o-operate nang may mga paglabag sa Re- public Act 2002 o Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Ayon kay DENR Usec. Benny Antiporda, nagsam- pa ng reklamo sa DENR laban sa Wacuman ang Alliance for Consumer and Protection of Environ- ment (ACAPE) at si Chairman Gloria Dequito ng Brgy. Paradise III sa SJDM nitong nakaraang Setyembre 6, 2019. Ayon kay Dequito, ipinatayo ang land fill nang walang konsultasyon sa mga apektadong komu- nidad habang sinabi ng ACAPE na hindi sumunod ang Acumen sa tamang distansya na nasa 50 hang- gang 300 metro mula sa imbakan at daluyan ng mga tubig gaya ng mga ilog na itinatadhana ng ba- tas. Wala rin umanong permiso mula sa mga nasa- bing pamahalaang lokal para sa operasyon ng Wacuman gaya ng isinasaad din ng batas na pangkalikasan. Ayon sa mga inspector ng DENR na tumingin sa lugar, nakita nilang may mga paglabag ang Wacu- man at agad na nag-isyu ang DENR ng notice of violation. Kasunod na dapat umano Ito ang pagsasampa ng kaso ng mga apektado sa hukuman. Kung may pulitika man umano na nahahalo sa usapin, hindi dapat madamay ang DENR na guma- gampan lang ng tungkulin para tugunan ang mga reklamo ng mga mamamayan. Napakabilis ang aksyon ng ahensya dahil naga- wa nitong magsagawa ng inspeksyon at pagbibi- gay ng notice of violation sa boob lamang ng isang linggo. Patunay Ito ng agarang pakikinig ng pamaha- laan sa mga hinaing ng bayan.

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?g 1 Kaliwa Dam uproar; Dubious steel imports

THE controversy over the bidding , of the Kaliwa Dam project refuses to ebb. i The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, hounded by accusations from the Commission on Audit that it committed irregularities in the bidding and vetting procedures for the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam project, is fending off more allegations. The Senate committees on cultural communities, public works and 1 finance has found out in a recent hearing that the dam project failed to r obtain the consent of the indigenous peoples, a requirement under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997. Senator Imee Marcos concurred 1 the IPs opposed (the project) and that no consent was obtained from them. Civil society and non-government organizations have supported the call of the Agta-Dtunagat-Remontado tribes in Quezon and Rizal provinces demanding the cancellation of the Kaliwa Dam project. Earlier, the COA recommended an "immediate" investigation into I findings that three shortlisted contractors for the China-funded Kaliwa Dam might have been qualified to participate in the bidding process "despite shortcuts made as per the pre-qualification requirements of the MWSS." The project involves the building of a dam at the Kaliwa River (Laiban ; Dam), and a downstream dam (Kaliwa Dam) in Tanay, Rizal to solve Metro Manila's worsening water supply situation. 1 COA's investigation came on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte's complaint during his 4th State of the Nation Address, when he expressed frustration over corruption within the govenunent and his promise to use the remaining three years of his term to curb it. COA said the three Chinese companies that the MWSS' Technical Working Group (TWG) qualified to participate in the bidding did not meet the requirements under three categories: design engineering experience, construction experience and single largest completed contract. A public hearing held at General Nakar, Quezon, meanwhile, revealed that MWSS representatives reportedly changed the specifications of the project, lowering the planned dam's height from 73 meters to 60 meters, in an attempt to placate sectors opposed to the Kaliwa Dam. But a change in the dam height will involve a revision in the price of the Chinese contract. A different dam height should also be re-tendered among the previously qualified tenderers, or the newly invited tenderers, following the country's procurement regulations.

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Technical smuggling A separate controversy is plaguing the steel sector. The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating allegations of corruption between several big steel manufacturers and officials of the Bureau of Customs, who may have deprived the government of billions of pesos in tax revenues, including penalties for improper import declarations. PACC chairman Dante Jimenez told a morning radio program his office had brought to the attention of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez reports that large scale "technical smuggling" had been taking place over the past 10 years due to the alleged collusion between BOC officials and large steelmakers. "Aside from the smuggling allegations, there are also questions regarding the quality of steel, how this affects safety and the lives of people... these are all the subjects of an ongoing investigation by the PACC," says Jimenez. Jimenez concedes that the case, which involves steelmakers clearing their products at the customs point of entry despite discrepancies in the documents "may be bigger than the cigarettes smuggling and tax evasion , issue two years ago." Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier raised the alarm on the billions of pesos the Philippines could be losing annually to tax leakages from imports. Steel contributes a significant portion of Philippine industrial imports. _1 Citing World Bank data, Lacson said the Philippines may have lost P32.18 billion worth of value added taxes in 2017 alone due to 'under- declaration.' Industry sources said the PACC obtained documents detailing how the country's largest steelmaker imported two million tons of steel billets last year, and may be responsible for over half a trillion pesos worth of lost revenues for the government due to systematic mis-declaration of import figures. The PACC suspects that big steel importers, in collusion with BOC officials, have been manipulating the EIS codes (the universal code for export and import goods). Specifically, the steelmakers have been describing the imports of cast and prime steel billets used for steel manufacturing as Grade 60 when in fact, the orders under the same code are a mix of Grade 40 (5sp) and Grade 33 (3sp). This allowed them to allegedly misdeclare the imported billets at a lower value. STRATEGIC UPPER PAGE I EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY

INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER MNITTINIET .1.50101ir SERVICE 2 Ste 2019

DATE DILE P, I PAC.E I/ GAS DEAL OK WITH CHINA IF PH DROPS CLAIM- -DU30 N STORY BY JULIE M. AURELIO AND DONA Z. PAZZIBUGA But Foreign Secretary Locsin says China has never made setting aside the artatral award a condition for a joint venture. On the contrary, he says, Beijing and Manila have agreed to disagree on their South China Sea claims.

By Julie M. Aurelio and Dona Z. Pazzibugan @Team_Inquirer

President Duterte said on Tues- day that Chinese President Xi linping had offered the Philip- pines a controlling stake in a proposed joint energy venture in the West Philippine Sea if it would set aside an international arbitral ruling award that went against China. Mr. Duterte said Xi told him during their meeting in Beijing in August that if he ignored the 2016 ruling of the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration, China would agree to be the ju- nior partner in the proposed President Duterte and Xi Jinping -MALACAHANG PHOTO joint venture to develop gas de- posits in Recto Bank, located in the West Philippine Sea, waters But Foreign Secretary with Chinese Foreign Minister pines in November last year, within the Philippines' 370-kilo- Teodoro Locsin Jr. refuted Mr. Wang Yi "applies only in disput- Guevarra vouched for the legal meter exclusive economic zone Duterte's statements on ed areas, not in areas everyone, soundness of a joint exploration (EEZ) in the heavily disputed Wednesday, saying China did including China, admits belongs deal, saying there was no need South China Sea. not attach such a condition to to the Philippines." for the Senate to ratify it be- the proposed joint exploration Locsin cited Justice Menar- cause it was not a treaty. 60-40 sharing deal. do Guevarra's legal opinion that "There are no sovereignty is- "Set aside the arbitral rul- "I read everything he told the memorandum did not com- sues whatsoever as the [memo- ing," Mr. Duterte told reporters President Xi. China has never promise the Philippines' randum of understanding] mere- in Malacafiang, quoting Xi. "Set made setting aside the arbitral sovereignty in the West Philip- ly expresses a mutual desire to aside your claim. Then allow ev- award a prerequisite to any- pine Sea. agree on specific cooperation ar- erybody connected with the thing," Locsin replied to a re- rangements within 12 months," Chinese companies. They want porter's question via Twitter. Guevarra's legal opinion Guevarra said in December. to explore. If there is something, "On the contrary, China "Can't help it if traitors try to He said the agreement ex- they said, we will be gracious agrees with the Philippines to put a treasonous spin to it. But pressly stated that it "shall be enough to give you 6o percent, disagree on their respective it's [OK], one day they'll be assas- without prejudice to the respec- only 40 percent will be theirs. claims," Locsin said. sinated with impunity; indeed to tive legal positions of the two That is the promise of Xi fin- He said the memorandum of loud acclaim," Locsin said. • governments and does not give ping." understanding that he signed After Xi's visit to the Philip- rise to any rights or obligations

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under international or domestic had agreed to Xi's offer, but said law." part of the arbitral award that "It's just fa memorandum of referred to the EEZ "we will ig- understanding], it's noncom- nore to come up with an eco- mittal, nonobligatory and non- nomic activity." binding from a legal standpoint. It's a mere expression of mutual PH exploration rights desires," Guevarra said. The Hague tribunal said the China's embassy M Manila Philippines had legal rights to had no comment on Wednesday exploit gas deposits that China on Mr. Duterte's remarks. also claims at Recto Bank, locat- ed about i4o km off the Philip- Arbitral ruling pine coast and internationally The tribunal in The Hague known as Reed Bank. clarified maritiMe boundaries The Philippines' only acces- and the Philippines' sovereign sible gas resources at Malam- entitlements, and in doing so, paya fields, off Palawan invalidated China's claims to province, are set to run out by nearly the entire South China 2024. Sea. A joint project with China China, which did not take has been talked about for part in the arbitration, does not decades, but has gone nowhere recognize the ruling. because of their competing Mr. Duterte has sought to claims. befriend Xi, hoping to secure Joint activity could be billions of dollars of invest- deemed as legitimizing the oth- ment, av.oiding challenging Chi- er side's claim, or even relin- na over its activities in the quishing sovereign rights. South China Sea, including its Locsin said in a television militarization of seven artificial interview on Wednesday that a islands. preliminary agreement be- Any agreement to forget the tween China and the Philip- arbitral award and team up with pines would avoid stating China would be a major setback which country was entitled to to other claimants, especially the gas. Vietnam and Malaysia, which "It's very clear—no legal po- like the Philippines have experi- sition is compromised if we en- enced repeated challenges from ter into this agreement," Locsin China's coast guard inside their said, adding that putting aside EEZs. the arbitration case was imma- The United States has called terial because the Hague court that bullying and coercion had already made its decision. aimed at denying rivals' access "It's final and binding," Loc- to their energy assets. sin added. —WITH A REPORT FROM Mr. Duterte did not say if he REUTERS INQ

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PROTECTED AREA

WATER SOURCE The mineral-rich Mt. Magdiwata in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, is an important source of water for the town. -CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN

INCLUSION OF ABUSAN WATERSHED IN TRIBE'S DOMAIN OPPOSED

By Chris V. Panganiban cal Catholic church are also op- @InciNational posing moves giving the tribe sole discretion over Mt Magdiwata. SAN FRANCISCO, AGUSAN DEL Mineral exploration and SUR—Opposition has mounted production plots circled the Mt. over the inclusion of the protect- Magdiwata watershed area, ed Mt Magdiwata watershed based on a mining tenements here in the 7,800-hectare ances- control map of the Mines and tral domain being claimed by the Geosciences Bureau in the Cara- Manobo tribe. ga region. The tribe, through Oyay Mansaloay Antod Ogow BandO Forest reserve Hgong (Omaubao) Tribal Clan Or- The watershed is the main ganization, has applied for a cer- source of potable water for 18 of tificate of ancestral domain title 27 villages in this town of about (CADT) over the area which, when 75,000 people. It was declared a granted, empowers it to have pri- forest reserve on Oct 25, 1993, mary say over resource use. through Presidential Proclama- Elmer Luzon, general man- tion No. 282. ager of San Francisco Water As its source of business, the District, said that they feared water district worked in the last the destruction of the 1,658- three decades to rehabilitate hectare watershed if its use was the watershed, which was a left to the discretion of the tribe. logged-over area. He said the tribe's leaders te- From what used to be only portedly consented to the entry 41 percent forest cover (695 of mining operations in the area hectares), its greening initia- without regard to other users. tives brought it to 95-percent Luzon said that the local water coverage today. district and other groups oppos- But Bardo "Datu Hag-urn" ing the move wanted the CADT Bando, one of Omaubao leaders application of Omaubao deferred and a town councilor sitting as until a new ancestral domain was indigenous peoples mandatory delineated, with the watershed representative, assured resi- area removed from its scope. dents that they would not dam- The town council and the lo- age Mt. Magdiwata. INQ STRATEGIC LI UPPER PAGE BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY iNMATIVES PAGE ER INISSIMOM. c altRVICE 12 SEP 7019

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Regional network formed to explore bamboo possibilities

g ,I A regional network that will explore officials, scientists and researchers in tion technologies, as well as stronger e vast potential of bamboo for envi- Southeast Asia as well as representa- linkages within the MEAN region," nniental sustainability and economic tives from the World Bamboo Organi- Cimatu said. tresiliency in the midst of climate change zation, Brazil, Qatar and Peru. Bamboo is widely recognized as a fill soon be established, the Depart- DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu de- "versatile renewable resource" that ent of Environment and Natural scribed the resolution as a "decisive protects the environment, improves the esources (DENR) has announced. output" of the conference as it enabled microdimate, controls soil erosion, pro- The creation of the MEAN Barn- formal commitment of the signatories tects riverbanks, reduces flash floods, o° Network was the most prominent toward "a sustainable and climate serves as windbreak and sequesters feature of the resolution adopted by resilient future for the entire region." atmospheric carbon efficiently. articipants in the Associtation of "With this resolution, we are as- It also has good properties com- outheast Asian Nations Bamboo suring that we will put our utmost parable to most wood species and congress held in Iloith City recently. endeavors in the continuous research offers a variety of uses either in its un- ;I Participants included environment and development in bamboo produc- manufactured form or as processed I into engineered products, and as such, reduces the demand burden for wood-based products from the forests thereby arresting deforestation. The attendees to the regional confer- ence were convinced that engaging in bamboo production and the manufac- ture of bamboo products provide job opportunities and steady income for farmer groups, local communities, arti- sans and workers along the value chain. The bamboo congress is slated to be held every three years. — Rhodina Villanueva

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A customized boat tour through 'This beautiful island that has wowed many travelers mangrove areas heightens eco awareness among tourists has even gained international fame after National Geographic included it in a list of the best beaches in the world. But beyond the pink sand beach, the island could serve as a model for sustainable tourism.'

Having tourists stay overnight requires more facilities and perma- nent structures, including shelter and bathrooms with indoor plumbing, and more food. Often, the construction of resorts and hotels involves bulldozing pristine landscapes and diverting es- sential resources like water away from the local community Because the island is relatively Text & pnotos by KARA SANTOS near Zamboanga City by boat, it's more convenient for tourists to stay in the he Great Santa Cruz Island While many destinations welcome city, with easy access to water and food in Zamboanga City is known more tourists because it equates to in hotels and restaurants, and visit on for having a rare, pink sand more income in terms of tourist fees, in day trips. Tbeach. The sand gets its the long run, it's not sustainable. unique color from bright red organ- In order to protect the local animal Adherence to the pipe coral (tubiporanzusica) dissolved and plant life on small islands, it's re- 'leave no trace' principle by the waves. ally necessary to impose regulations This beautiful island that has and limit the number of tourists that During the orientation before visit- wowed many travelers has even gained can visit per day. If the number of visi- ing the island, tourists are immediately international fame after National Geo- tors are not limited, you put a strain oriented about the "do's and don'ts.' graphic included it in a list of the best on limited local resources and ruin the There's a strict "trash in, trash out" beaches in the world. But beyond the overall experience for everybody. policy All types of packaging, including pink sand beach, the island could serve biodegradable materials (like banana as a model for sustainable tourism. Overnight stays peels and peanuts shells) need to be We've all seen how overdevelop- are not allowed brought back to the mainland, to avoid ment can ruin an island. Just look at trash buildup on the beach. Boracay. Islands that are remote and As much as I love camping on the Tourists are not allowed to take pristine soon lose their charm once the beach, I understand why small islands home sand, corals, and shells from the tourist crowds come in. While such a wouldn't want tourists to camp out trend could have easily destroyed the overnight. beach. It may take a while to change beauty of Santa Cruz Island, thankfully Many irresponsible tourists make this mind set among tourists that this island remains well-preserved camping an excuse to get wasted, shells and sand are not free souvenirs thanks to local tourism efforts. disrupt the local peaceful vibe with they anyone can just pick up and take Here are some of my observations their karaoke or loud music and light home. Locals should also be discour- on best practices. bonfires on the sand, which can affect aged from making and trying to sell the sand quality They also end up leav- souvenir items made of these materi- A tourist limit is imposed als to tourists. Zamboanga's Sta. Cruz Island mg behind loads of Wash, from empty Community partnership has a limit of just 300 tourists per day. mineral water bottles, to shampoo and One of the best ways to ensure Entry to the island is regulated right soap packets, to disposable food pack- a destination is sustainable is to en- at the port in the city, so local officials aging, and single-use plastic utensils. gage the local community and offer can control the number of visitors. If Presently, the Great Santa Cruz Is- community-based tourism programs. they get more visitors than expected, land is a protected area, and overnight During the peak summer season and tourists are asked to book tours for stays are not allowed. The island has a festivals, locals are hired to perforrn another day. few native huts constructed with light, cultural dances for tourists right on low-impact materials, which are ideal the beach. for day trips. STRATEGIC LII UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION Ft STORY STORY gra INITIATIVES aii/0.11.001, MANILAPBULLETIN PAGE LOWER SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 112 sEp 2019 DATE TIRE PAGE 1/

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The customized boat tours through mangrove areas and vinta rides are Low-impact island also handled by the local fishing com- activities focused munity. This way, the local culture on conservation of the community is preserved and highlighted. Certain water-based activities like The local tourism office also part- riding jet skis or flyboarding sound ners with the fishing communities to exciting, but can be damaging to na- ture by polluting the water, disrupting provide meals for guests, including corals, or marine sanctuaries, and by fresh seafood and local specialties of creating noise pollution. the Sama Banguigui ethnic community Low-impact activities are more like oko-oko, rice cooked inside a whole respectful of wildlife, local people and sea urchin, and chupakulo (snails their cultures. cooked in coconut milk). Activities that try to minimize the The local flavors and cultural ex- negative impact on the environment perience offers a quality experience and the places we visit are always compared to just dining on packaged more preferable. Visitors can instead fast food on the island. swim, snorkel near the shore, or play beach games. One of the activities offered on Sta. Cruz Island is a peaceful boat tour through the mangrove areas inland. Here, tourists can see firsthand how locals harvest seaweed and see sting- less jellyfish up close. Rides aboard the small native yin- ta, Zamboanga's iconic boats with rain- bow-striped sails, also offer a unique cultural experience for guests. These are just a few of the best practices I've observed while visiting the Great Santa Cruz Island in Zam- boanga City. I hope that other islands around the country can also follow suit to keep their environment preserved The red for future, generations to experience coral that and enjoy. makes the sand pink

Locals earn a living performing cultural dances for tourists. Left: the °ko- ok°, rice cooked inside a sea urchin sTRA.,.„,;ic 25--ensrA: Nimorol . BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON eA UPPER/ PAGE I omMUNICATION [ I STORY STORY iiiiiimaysism.1 INITIATIVIiS MANILACABULLETIN PAGE t5OVER ,iissolNNr SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 12 '779 2019

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Town's iconic tree is spared the axe

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO est and Wetland Research Development and Extension Center CFWRDEC) of its SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur deteriorating condition," Rufila said. - The mayor of this town and officials of Local government officials wanted the Department of Environment Natural the tree felled because its base has Resources (DENR) on Tuesday gave in to weakened to the point that it could col- please to the plea of local leaders and non- lapse. government organizations to preserve DENR Community Environment and the decaying "Centennial Tbog Tree." Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) "Yes, my stand is for the safety of Jerome I. Albia in Bunawan had been the people and we will slowly do what is asked by the DENR Caraga Regional best," said Mayor Solomon Rufila after a Executive Director Felix S. Alicer to dialogue Tuesday with the groups calling coordinate with San Francisco munici- for the iconic tree to be spared. pal government regarding the findings "We have to set aside the plan to im- of the FWFtDEC's "biomechanics and mediately cut down the Centennial lbog structural analyses" on the Centennial tree amid suggestions by the DENR Fbr- Tree.

SrRA nwIc nvotiCS LII PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY is.s.....040".• INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER vaaakspoWiale MANILAPBULLETIN SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 12 SEP 2019 MILE PAGE I/ DATE

ECOnciousness What about our local forests?

News and social media were Do you know that since the trans- species in the country. abuzz recently with news on the fer from Spanish to American rule in Among bird species alone, 50 Amazon forest fires. News spread the 1900's, the Philippines has lost percent are decreasing in number quickly, as fast as the fire itself. more than 75 percent of its original based from 2012 International Union Filipino social media users were forest cover? This is based on data for Conservation of Nature (IUCIN) quick to post hashtags proclaiming from the Department of Environment data retrieved by the Haribon Foun- grief and concern about the fire on and Natural Resources, Forest Man- dation. the other side of the planet. agement Bureau. What can you do? , That is commendable - being This has contributed to the in- More than ever, it is important to aware of the immense contribution creased number of threatened spe- stay informed and to understand that that the forest in that part of Brazil cies found only in the Philippines. In we live on a finite planet that needs contributes to humanity. a separate study by lead author Dr. to be sustained. Participatory gover- Now that the fire - and the is- JC Gonzalez of the University of the nance is another key: how active are sue - has subsided, now what? Can Philippines, Los Banos, there are now we with our local government or civil we ask this question -"What about 168 threatened endemic species, rep- society groups? Philippine forests?" resenting 15 percent of all threatened Non-government organizations

like the Haribon Foundation have The remaining 24 percent of been working on environmental con- Philippine forest must be adequate- serVation for decades. ly planned. The Sustainable Forest On the ground, Haribon, Rain Management Bill is a network- Forest Restoration Initiative (RFRD, backed solution to forest degrada- and the Forests for Life movement tion in the country, and includes have planted more than one million provisions for both protected and native trees in over 20,000 hectares production forests. of forest. It also includes important provi- This effort is guided by scientific sions for community-involvement data and community-based efforts, all and protecting indigenous lands. of which could not be possible without Both are non-existent in current the 10,000 plus volunteers to date. forestry law. Unfortunately, more work has to be Act now. Or we are to lose the done. Not only must we plant more, but Philippines' own Amazon in our we must protect what already exists. lifetime.

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Angara files plastic straw bill By PAOLO ROMERO "We also want the manufacturers of these pre-packed beverages to To help wean people from the start coming out with new designs use of plastic straws, Sen. Sonny for their products so that consumers Angara proposed that establish- would be able to drink these with- ments charge customers for the use out the use of straws," Angara said. of these straws blamed for pollut- The bill also calls for the estab- ing waters and killing whales. lishment of straw disposal and col- Angara has filed Senate Bill 954 lection facilities in all commercial or the proposed straw regulation act, establishments in order to ensure which aims to change the habits of these would be recycled properly. consumers, as well as the practices Establishments found violating of manufacturers and commercial the provisions of the bill would establishments toward protecting the face a fine of up to P10,000 for the environment, one small step at a time. first offense, P20,000 for the second He said such a move would offense and P50,000 plus cancella- be better than an outright ban on tion of their business permits for plastic straws. succeeding offenses. Establishments, however, have Proceeds from the straw fee and cited the difficulty of thoroughly fines paid would all go to environ- cleaning metal straws. Concerns over mental programs focused on the unsanitary metal straws also make protection and clean-up of Philip- people prefer disposable straws. pine waters, rivers, seas and oceans, Under the bill, all commercial including an information and aware- establishments that sell bever- ness campaign on the effect of plastic ages, including sari-sari stores and drinking straws to aquatic animals supermarkets would be required and marine ecosystems. to charge a "Plastic Straw Fee" A 2015 report on ocean pollution amounting to P2 per straw. by the Ocean Conservancy charity Exempted from this fee are plas- and the McKinsey Centre for Busi- tic straws or tubes used for medical ness and Environment saw the Phil- purposes, those used by senior citi- ippines ranked number three in the zens and persons with disabilities, world among• solutes of discarded and individuals who have limited plastic the ends up in the ocean. mobility caused by stroke, arthritis and other medical conditions. "Plastic straws will only be pro- vided upon requestby the cust We should consciously put a atop to the practice of automatically provid- ing straws to customers upon buying their beverages," Angara said. For pre-packed beverages, the most common of which are juice boxes, the bill states that plastic straws should not be attached to the product and should instead be provided at the point-of-sale for the same P2 per straw fee. SERA atilt PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMM I INICNI ION STORY STORY sisraorril MITI A I 1 VI :ti PAGE ....sorsa SERVICE ifUneNattila Zitne5 .12 SEP 2019 PAGE I/ DATE

FIE world's population is expected 1 to reach 9.7 billion in 2050, and pproximately 70 percent of this will ive in cities, according to the United gallons. Along with the fast rising FELINO A. than population, we are facing other PALAFOX, JR. hit Nepal, Causing approximately hallenges such as climate change, al- 31,000 casualties. In January 2016, zred landscapes, diminishing natural geared toward resiliency. we at Palafox were given the privilege esources and increasing poverty. meats and stormwater ponds, which to assist in the recovery process by How do we future-proof our corn- Bioclimatic and resilient can effectively absorb rainwater. On presenting plans for rebuilding school nunities and cities so they can with- architecture and planning a grander scale, concepts for floating campuses and hospitals for the Thu otand existing and forthcoming communities have already been envi- Chi Foundation. We were tasked to thallenges and shifts? To meet these Sea levels are rising cities have been sioned and designed. 'The Lilypad," design buildings that were safe and ssues communities and cities must sinking typhoons and hurricanes are designed by Vincent Callebaut, is a could last a thousand years, so our pe consciously planned to remain getting stronger, heat waves are getting self-sufficient, floating city that shows first consideration was to make the -esilient, so they can still thrive in spite more intense and earthquakes are where people could live if ever rising structures strong enough to withstand $f the harsh conditions we will face intensifying. These are the impacts sea levels and persistent flooding a 9.6-magnitude earthquake, which The Urban Land Institute defines of climate change But with the help limit our geographical landscape is more than the requirements of the resilience as "the ability of cities to of advanced technology architects, and we become dimate refugees. The building code In addition, preserv- :continue to function as centers of engineers and other professionals Lilypad can shelter approximately ing the Nepalese culture and heritage production, human habitation, and of the built environment are able 50,000 residents, integrates all types of through the architecture and ensuring ailtural development despite the to design and build structures and renewable energy and can provide a indusivity were also aspects that we roallenges posed by climate change, communities that can be livable and biodiverse environment for flora and incorporated. population growth, and declining at the same time are disaster-resilient, fauna to thrive The design and construction of resource supply." A study in 2014 sustainable, nature-based, and can Japan is known for its resilient ar- buildings also play a significant role in identified the 10 most resilient cit- reduce environmental impacts and chitecture and engineering Technolo- preserving the environment Through ies in the world. Toronto was in the adapt to the local climate According gies such as seismic base isolation, oil bioclimatic architecture, the site's No.1 spot, followed by Vancouver, to the National Institute of Building dampers and sliding isolation systems weathet hydrography, and ecosystem Calgary Chicago-, Pittsburgh, Stock- Sciences, every dollar spent on disas- help keep the percentage of building are taken into account so the structure holm, Boston, Zurich, Washington ter resiliency saves $6. Cities around collapse very low in Japan. The coun- is designed with respect to its environ- D.C. and Atlanta. These cities have the world have been enhancing their try is very strict on its mandate that ment. Its key elements are passive been recognized because of their flood management initiatives by every structure whether homes or systems that comprise passive cooling local governments' commitment increasing their green infrastructure skyscrapers, passes through stringent techniques, passive solar heat protec- to invest in technology strategies, such as rain gardens permeable pave- evaluations for earthquake-proofing. tion and natural daylighting systems urban plans and infrastructure >-PalafoxA7 In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake — promoting energy efficiency and

less dependence on the power supply. To ensure food resilience in spite of worsening weather conditions Smart cities and the decline of our natural re- sources, researchers and scientists Our reliance on information and have produced new technology and communications technology will other agricultural developments to increase even further because it will help farmers increase their produc- help cities monitor, analyze and tivity. Instead of solely relying on coordinate data, so they can prepare rural regions to provide the food for and mitigate natural disasters, ef- supply cities can be self-sustaining fidently mobilize theirpublic services, by integrating agricultural farms in and sustainably plan for the future the urban setting. The concept of an Sensor systems can be installed in agropolis — agras meaning farm and cities' major infrastructure like roads polls meaning city— places the food and bridges to monitor its endurance source in the city or nearby areas. or deterioration. Likewise, bodies Aside from becoming an additional of water can be monitored for their food source developing urban food water levels, and warnings for risks systems provides green spaces that of- will be automatically transmitted to fer relief from pollution, urban heat disaster management organizations, and other deteriorating conditions of so they can in turn alert the affected the urban environment areas. Real-time data enables the city Resilience is a vital characteristic to collect as much information as pos- cities should have to ensure that they sible, which will be useful in assessing not only exist but continue to prosper hazards for their disaster reduction in the future As architects and plan- and preparedness strategies. Maxi- ners, we have an important role in mizing technological advancements securing this. Green architecture, and also results in less time in gathering sustainable urban planning and de- accurate critical information and faster velopment can help future-proof our response and coordination. cities for generations to come SIR A' UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY ....r.000110g INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER JEIIVICE tI leNada Zittte5 i12 SEP 2019

PAGE if DATE The benefits of second-hand buying

U know how Barney Stinson Yt2lways say "New is always bet- MONEY MAX ter?" Let's challenge that. It can't be stressed enough how underrated second-hand buying really is. It's RICKY usually scoffed at by most Filipi- PUBLIC° nos, but buying used items is a lot more rewarding. rations rely on cheap labor from Admittedly, we have this stigma third-world countries to make on buying used goods. It's time their products sell for a higher: to break that stigma now because price tag. Don't encourage them by you'll be missing out on,the ben- choosing to buy second-hand and efits. Here are some compelling repurposing used goods. The best reasons why you should give way to influence big businesse§: second-hand goods any. to stop this practice is to hit them where it hurts: their sales figures. Lower prices, better value Support local businesses Which is the better deal: a brand new Smart 1V worth P50,000 or Reserve shopping at the mall for two equally capable and used special occasions and go thrift flat screen 1Vs for P20,000 each? shopping on a regular basis in- • Anyway you slice it, getting two stead. Channel your inner Macld- for a slightly lower price will al- emore and support your local ways be the better choice. Buying ulray-ukayshops or mom-and-pop second-hand items allow you to garage stores nearby. By doing this, score quality, durable, and even you'll end up getting better deals branded items for cheap. It's alife thanks to the suid culture When hack that's not being used enough. you're friends with the seller, ia • easier to ask for discounts. A new way of recycling Discover hidden gems Recycling doesn't always have to be segregating your waste bins. One man's trash is another man's It requires reusing worn items or treasure Aside from saving a lot, converting them into new ones. you'll never know what you'll find It also means reselling used hems on ukay-ukay shops and garage and consequently, buying them sales. It could be some sweet swag completes the cycle So in a way from a few years ago, or an ultra- you're helping other people recycle rare video game or comic book or while you get to enjoy saving a few it could be a limited edition car. bucks. It's a win-win for you and The possibilities are endless, and the environment. you don't even need to break the bank for it. Improve your Hopefully, these reasons will en- green efforts courage you to give second-hand goods a try. They are everywhere Buying second-hand has more eco- and you don't even need to search friendly benefits than you think far and wide You can check out For one, used goods don't require buy-and-sell sites online and have new resources. There's no need to your purchases delivered to you. • harvest anything no need to waste Do yourself a favor save money energy and fuel for production; no and save the planet—start buying need to generate pollution and re- second-hand. lease chemical wastes; and there's no need to package anything that Ricky Publico is a content writer will potentially add to the plastic at Moneymax. Save money. waste we already have. on car insurance, credit cards, and loans when you compare Denounce cheap labor and apply at www.moneymax. ph! Visit their website to know an open secret that most corpo- more

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World must adapt to 'inevitable' climate change, report warns PARIS - Nations rich and poor ; At the launch, Chinese environ- ust invest now to protect against Ment minister Li Ganjie - whose e effects of climate change or pay country is the world's top carbon fn even heavier price later, a global polluter - called adaptation prac- lommission warned Tuesday. tices "an inherent requirement of I Spending $1.8 trillion across china's sustainable development." ve key areas over the next decade In the 25-year history of UN ould not only help buffer the glimate_negotiations, adaptation orst impacts of global warming has trailed far down the agenda ut could generate more than $7 Compared with "mitigation," or illion in net benefits, the report the reduction of carbon emissions. om the Global Commission on Itwas long seen as an issue only af- Idaptation argued. fecting poor and developing nations. "We are the last generation that . But recent massive inland flood- an change the course of climate ing and a string of record-brealcing harige, and we are the first gen- hurricanes in the United States, ation that then has to live with the along with ferocious heatwaves in nsequences," former UN chief Ban urope and Japan, have shown that -moon, who chairs the commission, ealth is not an adequate shield. 'cl at the report's launch in Beijing. t Dominic Molloy, a co-author of "Delay and pay, or plan and e report from Britain's Depart- rosper," he said, sharing a catch- ent for International Develop- hrase from the commission, which ent, said a new focus on adapting co-chaired by Microsoft founder ould not detract from the need to '11 Gates and World Bank CEO ash carbon pollution. ' stalina Georgieva. "We absolutely need to do both, ' Investing now in early warning duce emissions and adapt," Mol- systems, climate-resistant infrastruc- y told APP. "The purpose of this ture, mangrove protection, better ommission was to raise the vis- 4griculture and improving fresh ility of adaptation, not shift away tater resources would pay for itself om mitigation." geveral times over, the report said. t - AR' Mangroves - tropical tidal water forests-protect, for example, against itorm surges and act as nurseries for commercial fisheries, but at least a third of them globally have been uprooted for tourism or aquaculture. . "Global actions to slow climate change are promising but insuffi- cient," the report stated. "We must invest in a massive effort to adapt to conditions that are now inevitable." Without action by 2030, climate change could push more than 100 million people in developing coun- tries below the poverty line, said the report. STRATEGIC PHILIPP1N A1LY I I I=1 r I UPPER BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY eaa INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER le' SERVICE IN UIRER 12 SEP 2019

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GOITIA 'BRUITING ABOUT' HIS SUPPOSED NEXT POST--THE CUSTOMS BUREAU 0030 SAYS HE FIRED PASIG RIVER

NEWS Why PRRC chief AGENCY CHIEF FOR 'ASKING MONEY was fired President Duterte said he fired the executive direc- tor of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) for spreading word about his supposed ap- pointment to the Bureau of Customs and then "ask- ing money" from people dealing with that agenty. In a statement, Jose Antonio Goitia did not com- ment on the corruption allegation but said he still supported the administration's reform and mmi development agenda. —yaw By JULIE M. AURELM A4 1

By Julie M. Aurelio money from those connected statement he issued late on @JMAurelioINQ with the Customs," Mr. Duterte Tuesday after Malacafiang an- said. "He's telling people that he nounced that he had been fired President Duterte said he fired will be appointed Customs col- but thanked the President for the executive director of the Pasig lector and already was collect- entrusting the PRRC post to River Rehabilitation Commission ing." him. (PRRC) for spreading word about Presidential spokesperson "I will remain fully support- his supposed appointment to the Salvador Panelo said the deci- ive of the President's adminis- °- Bureau of Customs and then sion to sack the PRRC chief was tration reform and develop- 0 "asking money" from people "pursuant to the President's ment agenda even as I start to dealing with that agency. continuing mandate to eradi- embark on my life's new jour- Mr. Duterte on Tuesday cate graft and corruption" and ney," he said. u night announced Jose Antonio was meant to "ensure that pub- Mr. Duterte did not say ce Goitia's dismissal "for corrup- lic officials and employees con- whether the former PRRC chief tion." duct themselves in a manner would be charged. Goitia was "bruiting about" worthy of public trust." He said Goitia was just the that he would be placed in the first PRRC official to be sacked customs bureau, according to Still a supporter for wrongdoing while the oth- 0- the President. Goitia did not comment on ers would be investigated. "My Jose Antonio Goitia "And he was already asking the corruption allegations in a intention is to wipe them all

out, all of them," he said. He assured the public that The PRRC is the agency the PRRC was strictly monitor- tasked with rehabilitating the ing the progress of its rehabili- once biologically dead Pasig tation project to revive the River. Pasig River and other water- The Commission on Audit re- ways. ported recently that despite the PRRC spokesperson George PRRC's using up nearly all of its de la Rama on Wednesday said funds last year, the agency's ac- Operations Director Anshari complishments were "notably Lomodag Jr. took over as inter- low," ranging from a dismal i per- im chief of the agency. cent completion to 27.6 percent. Malacaliang did not say when Goitia was fired but a Hoy-M budget last year PRRC statement said that as of In June, Goitia denied allega- Monday it had already "abided tions that the PRRC failed to with the orders of the Office of complete some rehabilitation the President of the Philippines projects of Metro Manila's wa- in the changes in leadership of terways even with a P107-mil- the commission." —WITH A RE- lion budget for 2018. PORT FROM JHESSET 0. ENANO INQ

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A member of the 'President Duterte is fond EDITORIAL Pp! Philippine of casually exonerating his favorite Press Institute officials like Nicanor Faeldon a day The Notional Association of Philippine Newspopms or two after serious accusations against them emerged in official investigations, yet little-known Firing officials like Goitia and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief announcements Harold Clavite are dismissed without benefit of explanation.' OMETHING is amiss in President Duterte's announcements involving the sacking of As part of regular government turnover, the Scertain officials of the executive department. presidential spokesman and chief legal counsel While the firing of an official, especially under the instructed Goitia to give all official documents corruption-ridden Duterte administration, has and properties in his possession to the Office of a huge impact on the individual concerned and the Deputy Executive Director for Finance and perhaps also on the clientele transacting with that Administrative Services of the PRRC. official, Malacanang had nothing but general, even Panelo concluded with another motherhood generic, explanation for what happened. statement that he hopes will boost the image of Take the case of Pasig River Rehabilitation Com- this dispensation: 'We hope that this shall serve mission (PRRC) Executive Director Jose Antonio as another example that this Administration does Goitia. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the not -- and will never -- tolerate corrupt practices sacking of Goitia is part of "the President's continu- in the bureaucracy and in public service." ing mandate to eradicate graft and corruption, and to After hearing so many words, the people along ensure that public officials and employees conduct with mediamen who are the usual audience of Pan- themselves in a manner worthy of public trust." elo, are left with still unclear facts about what had Secretary Panelo made the announcement a happened, with many questions still in their mind. week after Duterte ordered the transfer of PRRC One of these questions obviously is this: what chairmanship from the Department of Budget and infraction of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Management to the Department of Environment Law did the executive director of PRRC commit? and Natural Resources. Was is just a charge or did the Palace conduct a full-scale and intensive investigation and found out that a wrongdoing indeed occurred, with Goitia the most guilty among the perpetrators? We do not -- and cannot -- question the Presi- dent's power to reorganize the offices under him, or to fire and hire people. Just that attached to this prerogative is the innate need for transparency and good faith. The public needs to know the reasons for an official's sacking, because other officials are clearly untouchable while still others, found to be incompetent and corrupt on many occasions and in several positions, still manage to get "recycled" or appointed again. President Duterte is fond of casually exonerating his favorite officials like Nicanor Faeldon a day or two after serious accusations against them emerged in official investigations, yet little-known officials like Goitia and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief Harold Clavite are dismissed without benefit of explanation. Clavite's case is worse be- cause while he claimed he did not write a resignation letter, such resignation was accepted by the President. The Executive Secretary just told him so. STRATEGIC UPPER BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION Manila eg% STORY STORY INITIATIVES OW ER miSNOIMM1 NoN.1.11118r aENVICE Standard 12 SP 2019 DATE TITLE: PAGE I/

3 dead pigs dumped in QC; ASF eyed

DEAD HOGS. Police and Quarantine Division personnel from Quezon City loin hands In trying to determine the cause or death ot the pigs thrown down at a creek by Still unidentified residents from nearby barangays after the Quezon City government ordered backyard hog raisers to stop-operation due to suspected African Swine Flu virus. Manny Palmeri)

ltmgan village, Quezon City. By filo N. Araja Supt. Joel Villanueva, Quezon City Police District station 45 commander, AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar said a 51-year-old resident reported the on Wednesday raised concern that the presence of three dead pigs at the creek pigS affected by the African swine fever around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday from a backyard farm in Bulacan could "I suppose these pigs have been dead have been brought to some other areas. for about three days. They were already He made the statement even as an of- • decomposing when found," he told the ficial said at least three pigs had been Manila Standard. found dumped in a creek in BagOTIg Si-

Dar said commercial pig farms had not been spared from the agency's monitoring. Last Monday, He spearheaded a boodle fight to show that pork was safe for human consumption. In ANC's Early Edition news, Dar said the Department He confirmed that the ASF cases in the country had already of Agriculture was monitoring the areas where the hogs been contained by the government. Laboratory tests from the United Kingdom showed that 14 of from Guiguinto could have been taken. "We are mapping out where these pigs have been redistributed the 20 samples taken from the backyard pig farms in Guiguinto or transported again from Guiguinto, Bulacan," he said. and two municipalities in Rizal had tested positive for ASE "That's where we are monitoring, where there would be He said pork was safe to eat provided it bore the seal of the abnormal deaths of pigs in these areas." National Meat Inspection Commission.

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SANITATION officer inspects a dead pig, which residents suspect was afflicted with the African swine flu and was dumped near a creek in Quezon City. ANAL? LABOR

STRATEGIC: C:1 C CI COMMUNICATION UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL !CARTOON STORY STORY flimisNoRIMIRI INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE 11111mar 12 SEP 2019

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A policeman inspects dead pigs at a creek in Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City on Wednesday, amidst Department of Agriculture confirmation that African Swine Fever is already present in the country. INQUIRER STRATEGIC UPPER PAGET BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 2_ STORY STORY ea, INITIATIVES PAGE TOWER atom"' IC SERVICE ?Reznect A .141111010.ROPPIAWI P•MAYACIA WI Ionia on AA Barn 12 SO zelg

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lniimbestigahan na ng mga kawani ng Quezon City Health Office, ang patay na NAMATAY SA ASF? baboy na natagpuan sa isang sapa sa Area 5, Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, kahapon. MARK BALMORES STRATEGIC hi COMMUNICATION urn' PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAI CARTOON STORY STORY rassinisOMOMI INITIATIVES er I yomiesaRR=E „ PAGE LOWER ....oar SERVICE §7,L - • A .1"0 112 SEP 7019

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MAY pinasara si Manila Mayor Isko Moreno na punerarya dahil sa la- bis-labis na paniningil nito sa mga namatayan. Kaugnay nito, alam NEP kaya ni Mayor Isko na malaki ang kita ng ilang N BENNYMNIIIIPARDA opisyal ng Manila Police Department sa mga pu- nerarya na mahal ma- BUTAS FOR SALE SA NORTH ningil? CEMETERY; P50K SA MN At alam din kaya ni sa mga namatayan. Mayor Isko na may bu- At malamang, pati Pero hindi iniintindi ng ang mga konsehal, kong- tas for sale sa North nakaraang mga adminis- resman at pulls ay hini- Cemetery at libo-libong trasyon at ngayon lang hingan din ng mga na- piso ang patong kada napagtuunan ng pansin. butas? matayan. Pero alam kaya ni Ma- Dito inaabot ng kung BUTAS FOR SALE yor Isko na isa sa mga Unahin nating ta- ilang araw o linggo ang nagpapataas ng singil ng lamay. lakayin ang Butas for punerarya ay ang singil 'Yun iba, hind' na Sale sa North Cemetery sa punerarya naman ng lang kine-claim ang mga na pinamamahalaan ng mga tiwaling pulis dito? Lungsod ng Maynila. bangkay ng kanilang Aba, tumatangginting mga kamag-anak at ba- Kung may Good Con- umanong P50,000 ang bi- hala na kung ililibing si- duct Time Allowance for gay ng punerarya sa Hang sale, hospital pass for ng mga punerarya. taga-homicide ng Manila MALAKING BIYAYA sale at fake case for sale Police Department. sa Bureau of Correc- Sabi ng ating Uzi, Bulong ng ating Uzi, mga Bro, kung maga- tions, talamak din ang kapalit umano, ng mahal Butas for Sale sa nasa- gawan umano ng pa- na suhol o hingi ng mga raan ni Mayor Isko ang bing sementeryo na pi- tiwaling pulis ang pag-ex- tatlong problema, mag- naglibingan ni Da King clusive ng isang punerar- Fernando Poe Jr. papiyesta umano ang ya sa mga may kasong mga namamatayan. Ginawa at pinagsu- mediko-legal. sumikapan ng Lungsod 'Yun bang === ga- Hinaharang umano ng ng Maynila na magta- gaan nang husto ang mga tiwaling pulls ang yo ng mga pwesto na pagdadalamhati ng mga ibang punerarya na hindi namatayan. apordabol sa mga Ma- makapaghatag ng mala- nilenyo. Mababawasan ng laking halaga sa kanila sa sama ng boob at pagka- Kabilang dito ang medico-legal cases. kasakit ng mga nama- mga matataas na gusa- Bake pupwedeng pag- matayan at maiiwasan li para matugunan ang tuunan din ng pansin ito din ang pagkakaroon espasyo para sa mga ni Mayor Isko. ng depresyon. namamatay na Mani- PATAY Maiiwasan din ang lenyo. ISINUSUGAL pagkapit sa patalim ng Pero alam ba ninyo Ang mahal na pune- mga biktima ng mga ti- na todo-reklamo ang rarya, mahal na pameme- waling punerarya, pulis mga mahlhirap dahil sa ra ng mga pulis at mahal at namamahala sa se- sobrang taas ng bayarin na butas sa sementeryo menteryo. sa mga butas sa itaas ang dahilan kung bakit 'Yun bang === pag- at sa ibaba? hindi basta mailibing mga gawa ng krimen gaya ng Anak ng tokwa, kada Manilenyo ang kanilang holdap, pagnanakaw at butas pala, may patong mga patay. pagsasamantala pare na humigit-kumulang Napopospon lagi ang sila kumita at may pam- sa P20,000. libing dahil hirap ang na- bayad sa utang na gina- Magkakasabwat kararaming Manilenyo sa mit sa burol at paglili- bing. umano ang mga nama- pagbabayad ng mahal na mahala sa North Ce- DIGONG: ISKO butas sa sementeryo, kikil MRS MACsALING metery at mga ahente ng mga pulis at mapag- ng mga punerarya sa SA AKIN samantalang punerarya. !sang malaking ha- pagpapataas ng presyo At alam ba ninyo ang ng mga butas. mon, mga Bro, ang na- remedyo ng mga nama- sabing mga problema Mayor Isko, sir, paki- matayan? bantayan ang iskam na ukol sa kamatayan. Anak ng tokwa, kata- Ang sabi ni Pangu- Ito sa North Cemetery. kot-takot na pasugal ang Sinisira po ang in- long Digong na sumu- ginagawa. subaybay sa mga lokal yong pagsusumikap na Diyan nagiging aktibo na pamahalaan, mas gumanda at gumaan ang mga sakla na may magaling sa kanya si ang buhay ng mga Ma- patay at walang patay. Mayor Isko. nilenyo ng mga nagne- Aktibo rin ang mga tong- Kung paano nasabi negosyo ng patay. its, mahjong at iba pang ito ni Pang. Digong, ay P50K SA PULIS sugal. isa ring hamon kay Ma- May isinara si Mayor Nandiyan din ang pang- yor Isko. Isko na punerarya na no- haharang sa mga jeepney 0 Mayor Francisco toryus sa matagal nang na pumapasada sa lugar 'Isko' Dumagoso, Sir, panahong paningingil ng lamay at may duma- saludo ang ULTIMATUM nang napakamahal sa dayo pa sa iba. sa inyo. mga namatayan. Inuubos din ng mga Anomang reaksyon o Marami na ang sum- namamatayan ang kaka- reklamo, maaaring ipa- bong tungkol sa pani- rampot na sahod at allo- rating sa 0922840-3333 ningil ng P300,000 pa- wance ng mga opisyal ng i-email sa bantipor- taas ng puneraryang ito barangay. , da@ yahoo. coin.