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DENR chief bats for4 a mercury-free Phi Mercury exposure can pose serious harm to person's nervous, immune and digestive system

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary has made an appeal to both the government and the general public to manage mercury wastes and "an environmentally sound manner." At the launch of the country's National Action Plan (NAP), the DENR chief for the phase-out of mercury-containing products and wastes, Cimatu stressed that making the country a mercury-free country should be a "shared responsibility." "(We need to) successfully c rry out the elimination of mercury from consimer products and other materials utilized in the industry o reduce the risk of human exposure and contamination of the environment," he said in his speech. "Of) the cleanup of Bor cay and the rehabilitation of Bay vas possible, managing our mere waste (would CIMATU also be) certa nly possible with every onej of us working together." Crafted nder a project jointly i plemented by the DENR and the United Nations Industria Development Organization (UNIDO), NAP provides a detailed five-year full implementation document of the activities and actions that the government needs to undertake. The projects financed by the Swiss government is supported the Philippine government in managing and controlling mercury-containing I I lucts with a life cycle approach in accordance with the Mmamata and Basel C ntions. NAP is also a product of collaboration among 10 governtnent agencies. "The completion of the NAP likewise increases confidence in the country's readiness for the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury," Cimatu noted. A copy of the NAP was already turned over to the DENR and it was received by the agency's Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Service Director Lourdes Wagan on behalf of Cimatu 1 t 30 July 2019 in Mandaluyong City. Earlier in March, DENR identified five bodies of wat in and that have high levels of mercury, among which re Manila Bay in and Meycauyan River in Bulacan. The Minimata Convention is the world's rust legally binding treaty to phase out mercury. It was in 2013 when the alo with 127 other countries signed the convention regulating the use and trade of mercury. The Philippine Senate has yet to ratify the convention, which entered into force in August 2017, but Cimatu said the DENR has already "spearheaded the ratification process in consultation with the relevant government agencies and stakeholders." Further, the DENR chief revealed that the ratification document has already been endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Office of the President. Marla Romero .::: STRATEGIC El 6A ii BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON PAGE I COMMUNICATION STO Y STORY ,...... r 'NI I 1411VPS JO'tJRNAL 25All32es ,..-..•...--- SERVICE Everybody's Newspaper

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National action plan against mercury launched ACHIEVING a mercury- wastes. and human health. NAI? is a product of reduce the risk to human free Philippines is not a "Eachof us hasarole to NAP was crafted un- collaboration among 10 exposure and contamina- job fora single person or play, and with the Philip- der a projectjointly imple- governmentagencies,ancl tion of the environment. official but a shared re- pines' upcoming ratifica- mentedby theDepartment providetsa detailed 5-yeat "Thecompletionof the sponsibility of the gov- tionof theMinamataCon- of Environment and Nat- full implementation doct NAP likewise increases ernment, private sector vention, it is incumbent ural Resources (DENR) umentc f theactivihes and confidence in the country's and civil society to in- upon us to properly man- and the United Nations actions that the governi- readiness for the imple- clude the general pub- age mercury and its wastes Industrial Development ment w II undertake. mentation of the Minama- lic. in an environmentally Organization (UNIDO). According to Cimatu ta Convention on Mercu- This was what Envi- sound manner," Cimatu The project also assist- NAP is a crucial and tin- ry," Cimatu pointed out. ronment Secretary Roy said. ed the Philippine govern- portan document that In2013,thePhilippines Cimatu emphasized dur- The Minamata Convention ment in the management will enable Philippines to was one of the 128 coun- ing the launching of the is the world's first legally of mercury-containing successfully carry out the tries that signed the Mi- country's NationalAction binding treaty tophaseout products with a life cycle elimination of mercury namataconvention,which Plan (NAP) for the total mercury, a highly toxic approach in accordance from cOtstuner.Oroducts legulales the useandtrade phase:At of rhercurg- ilubstance that pr.ies with the Minthmatd and and other 'Materials used of mercury. • containing products and . threats to the environment BaselConventions. in industries that greatly Joel dela Torre STRATEGIC' Abortte UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL DAMON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES L WEE SERVICE OPIATE -.Et M 1 00,1/5 SA CI 41 TA )Im- 25 AUG 7niq

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Solid waste management ng Antipolo smaluduhan ng DENR l'umanggap ng dalawang nating panatilihing malinis, queuing machine at composting Plaque of Recognition ang maayos, at maganda. Mahigpit bin sa pagreresildo ng mga ba- Antipolo City Government pan po nating ipinapatupad ang sura. Best practice din ng lung- sa Best Available Practices at mga ordinansa at programa sa sod ang paggamit ng Material Best Environmental Technology. wastong pamamahala ng basura Recovery Facilities (MRFs) sa Sa ginanap na 4th Annual En- par tugunan ang kalinisan ng pamamahala ng mga basura at vironmental Summit kamalcailan ating siyudad. Nakakataba po ang walang tigil na information sa Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay ng puso ang pagkilala ng pama- campaign sa 16 na barangay. City ay pinaboran at kinilala ng halaang nasytmal dahil patunay Pinarangalan at kinilala ng Department of Environment and ito na epektibo at tama ang Department of the Interior and Natural Resources (DENR) IVA ating ipinaglalabang pangarap Local Government (DILG) nopng ang solid waste management ng para sa Antipolo," pahayag ni 2018 ang lungsod bilang Hall of pamahalaang local kung saan Mayor Andeng Ynares. Fame Awardee sa Environmental kabilang ang Antipolo sa mga Sa pangunguna ng City Envi- Compliance Audit (EGA). !Casa- piling-piling LGUs na kinilala ng ronment and Waste Management ma tin sa mga prestihiyosong DENR ngayong taon. Office (CEVVMO), kabilang sa parangal na nakamit ng pama- "Ang lungsod ng Antipolo award winning practices ng An- halaang laical ang Manila Bayani ay ang_ sting tahanan na dapat tipolo City ang paggamit ng bri- Award at Top Performer Award. . _ - • - &Ss 111'III( \ II I.1( 2 5 Lh'• " liPs I 1 CONINII •NI( \ I FE EN WES PAGE 1 TANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON Ac STORY STORY 1%1 1111 I \ I S IA ..r.••1 PAGE LOWER .,....r, Si FE' FE I 5 AUG 2019

TITLE PAGE I/ DATE Gina Lopez: Breaking the norm, she made friends and foes

By Mariejo S. Ramos, Jhesset 0. Enano She earned admiration not for the Lopez name but for the way mental activists to work with and Maricar Cinco the so-called elite, but she [was] @Team_Inquirer she had refused to rely on that early on as a teen to seek her pur- different," said Rodne Galicha, pose and meaning in this world. who leads the Climate Action Close to her last day on earth, Gi- for Initiative. na Lopez was still giving encour- At 18, she turned away from aging words to friends and the comfort and privilege of her wealthy family to become a yo- Climbing mountains coworkers to push on with their "At first her presence [was] projects to protect the environ- ga missionary with Ananda Marga, a global spiritual and so- intimidating, but she [believed] ment and help impoverished in the capabilities of the people communities even as she was los- cial service movement. She served in Europe, and she [worked] with," he said. "She ing her own battle with cancer. climbed mountains, ate with Jen Santos, director of Bantay over two decades. Writing for Rogue magazine the grassroots [community]." Kalikasan, ABS-CBN Foundation's Galicha said he introduced in 2016, Lopez said she learned environmental arm, had gotten in , tagged as the touch with Lopez at the hospital hoW to treasure the little things the poor have when she lived in "Galapagos of ," to Lopez in more than a week before she died 2011. At the time, a mining com- to give her some good news—the • the slums in Kenya for six years. "I lived as the poor lived, so I pany was threatening to extract establishment of two new project nickel at the foot of the island's sites for poor and indigenous learned how not to be waste- communities in Samar province. ful—a trait I carry to this day famous Mt. Guiting-Guiting. "She replied that she was where I use every bit of every- "[Lopez] encouraged us to proud of what the organization thing," she wrote. see and act on opportunities to has achieved," Santos said. Returning home in the early benefit from and coexist with "She really believed in area de- 1991Th, Lopez was appointed nature [and] its beauty, within its velopment, 'completos reca- head of ABS-CBN Foundation, carrying capacity," Galicha said. dos,' with projects for the up- her family corporation's chari- Lopez also helped establish liftment of the child, the family table arm, and then she plunged and promote ecotourism sites and the environment." into her lifelong advocacies. around the country, including The two sites in Samar are She spearheaded Bantay Ba- the Cantingas River in , covered by Lopez's Investment ta 163, the country's first hotline and started, programs to pre- in Loving Organizations for Vil- for abused children, and over- serve the mangrove forests for lage Economies, or iLOVE, a de- saw educational TV shows, such community-based activities like velopment project. as Sineskwela, a science pro- kayaking and other tours in Lopez died on Aug. 19. She gram that became a staple for Lobo, Batangas. was 63. kids in the '90s. During a courtesy call on Her brother, Ernie Lopez, But it was her love for the then newly] elected President said she had loved people and environment that she became Duterte in bavao City, she re- the environment intensely— most vocal and known for. portedly lectured him on the "todo, todo, walang preno." She initiated the rehabilita- "I can summarize her earth tion of through the warrior creed into this: love of Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig. In God and of country," he said in ano, she was appointed by then .his eulogy for her on Wednesday. President Benigno Aquino III as chair of the Pasig River Rehabil- Finding purpose itation Commission until 2016. Outspoken in her passion to She emerged as an environ- save the planet, Lopez was un- mental firebrand who was un- abashedly eccentric, breaking afraid to immerse in communi- the unspoken norm of prim and ties or verbally spar with big busi- proper behavior often expected nesses that befouled waterways, of members of the Philippine and destroyed forests and moun- elite. She was the second of sev- tains. Friends and colleagues said en children of the late ABS-CBN she was staunch, uncompromis- chair Eugenio Lopez Sr. ing, steadfast and passionate. "It is so rare for environ- z STRATEGIC le^ I I I ea UPPW PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION ti STORY STORY INII IA'l IVES PAGE LOWER Tow •••• -.,...... we SI IIT'll I. 25 Main TITLE PAGE I/ P- 2

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oo As long as you think it's hard, it will be hard. We can't think so. We have to think big. Let the others take the easy task, we need to take on the most difficult

Susan Afan, quoting Gina Lopez ABS-CBN Foundation managing director

whether their livelihood and "It just so happened that I country's environmental prob- the campaign against mining was also having one of [my lems and the need for a firm that threatened them could he days]. I shut the door and told policy to care for it. He then sustained after her death. her: We needed to talk. It was asked her to head the Depart- She was the "may" (mother) of too multi.. We needed to ment of Environment and Natu- the people in Batangas, according streamline our operations, we ral Resources (DENA), which she to Catholic priest Dakila Ramos of needed to focus, we were re- accepted days later. the Archdiocese of Lipa. opening our children's village Wasting no time, she With Lopez gone, so was the again," Afan said she told Lopez. stripped the environmental "push" that drove communities And then, she got a dose of certificates of mine operators to choose sustainable livelihood Lopez's can-do spirit. that allegedly violated mining over mining, Ramos said. "In Gina fashion," Afan said, "We worry who will take her laws. As a result, over 20 mines "she took a deep breath, she were shut down and five others place," he said. closed her eyes, made me wait were suspended, stunning the Lopez also was the."adopted and anticipate, then opened her mining industry. daughter" of Romblon, leading eyes and said to me: 'Susan, as "I have a bias. I do. I have a the fight against mining compa- long as you think it's hard, it will bias for social justice and com- nies that threatened the densest be hard. We can't think so. We mon good," she said then. forest on the island. have to think big. Let the others Her assault against a powerful Iglesia Filipina Independi- take the easy task, we need to industry cost her her job. In May ente bishop for Romblon and take on the most difficult." 2017, just In months as environ- Mindoro, Ronelio Fabriquier, It was like Lopez wanted ment secretary, the Commission said Lopez also helped in their Afan and everyone else to live on Appointments rejected her. "crusade" that eventually the words of her favorite song: forced a Canadian mining com- "If I can see it, then I can do Political will pany to stop its exploration it/If I just believe it, there's The green group Kalikasan plans on Tablas, another island nothing to it/I believe I can fly/I said she proved that meaningful in Romblon province. believe I can touch the sky." change could be achieved through INQ "unabashed political will." Keeping pace "We may never see someone After she left the Duterte who can unite the entire coun- Cabinet, Lopez continued her try in a rallying cry to save the work on the environment and environment the way Gina did," other projects, but coworkers it said. said it wasn't always easy to People who made a living on keep pace with her energy. the ecotourism projects that she Susan Afan, managing direc- helped develop, worried tor of ABS-CEN Foundation, re- called one time when Lopez was "having one of her days." The foundation was plan- ning to build its 18th ecotourism project then, but Lopez wanted to add five more sites, including her "Yolanda legacy project," despite their limited resources. &N.,al STRATINAC PA Gl BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STO STORY INITIATIVES r". .,...... " SERVICE

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PASSION AND COMPASSION Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez journeyed throughr life as a yoga missionary and later as protector of the environment and champion of child rights and poor communities, winning respect from both supporters and detractors. She died of cancer on Aug.19 at 65. -INQUIRER/CDN PHOTOS i. STRATECIC 2. BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION UP PAGE I STORY moo INrnivilvrs C5 PAGE SERVICT 25 AUG noo ? DATE' I. Gina LopeShe was a dynamo of love and compassion' The earth warrior's younger brother talks about his sister, to whom nothing was impossible, didn't take 'no' for an answer, and wanted to change the whole world

He shares how he and sister Berta Lopez Feliciano had the That was about the time a same strategy when they spoke By Alya B. Honasan friend approached Gina to tell to Gina who was "ADHD on @Inq_Lifestyle her about the plight of Ki- steroids— her eyes were always a community in Ce- natarkan, looking everywhere! We would t was a common observation bu where fishermen made hold her face in both hands, and of visitors to the wake of a day. "She less than P200 say, 'Gina, I'm talking to you, fo- ABS-CBN Foundation chair poured that money into Ki- cus, look at me!' But that was I Gina Lopez, who passed away natarkan. She doesn't use it still no guarantee that she'd lis- on Aug. 19 at age 65: She looked for herself; she teaches them ten to you." absolutely beautiful and peace- how to pass it forward, not Ernie liked going on vaca- ful lying in state in a scarlet just receive it." tions with his oldest sister, as dress, woven flowers in her One organization will learn they traveled at the same fast, hands. how to earn money, Ernie re- frenetic pace, filling every sec- Friends and relatives came counts, then will move on to ond with something to do. "I in droves to pay tribute—but train the next organization in a like to make the most of it, and the most heartfelt tributes nearby community. "I'm pray- she was exactly like that. In fact, came from her own siblings. ing that even now that she's she was the first person I ever Last Aug. 21, during Gina's gone, we can continue that met who tired me out." necrological rites at ABS- same spirit of helping each Gina had her quiet mo- CBN's Studio in Ernie Lopez, other, inculcating a spirit of ments, as well, however. "She president of ABS-CBN Publish- passing it on to help them see would wake up at 3 or 4 a.m. to ing and Creative Programs that we are also responsible for meditate. In the car, on long Inc., talked about how his older trips, she was knocked out." sister, the second among the other people." She also had an uncanny late Geny and Chita La'0 ability to read her siblings' feel- Lopez's seven children, "loved No limits Ernie remembers his sister ings. Ybunger brother Mon- people so much, and loved the mon, who is based in San Fran- country so much that she left as "a nonstop dynamo of energy and love and compassion,' a cisco, California, says he will our family." woman "with no limits. Nothing miss Gina because "she gave the "Gina had an energy, a pas- best huis. That's how I always sion, and a vision; I don't know was impossible, and she didn't knew she loved me, even if we anyone else like that," says take 'no' for an answer. She saw each other only four times Ernie. "It's passion and compas- wanted to change the whole a year." sion." world, and she wanted to start A few years ago, because of He cites the most recent ex- with her country." some personal challenges, ample: In 2017, Gina received a There are many visionaries Ernie recalls through tears $10,000 award as part of her with great ideas, but "Gina was how he was so down. "I didn't Seacology Prize, given by the have money for a birthday par- renowned nonprofit organiza- a doer," Ernie says. "She would focus on a small part of the ty for myself. You know what don based in Berkeley, Califor- she did? She threw a birthday problem, then get results, then nia, that works to preserve is- party for me. She invited me go out and convince people that land ecosystems and cultures and my friends to go mountain she could do it again. That was around the world. Gina was biking in La Mesa Ecopark, her style—not just platitudes: chosen "in recognition of her then got a caterer and fed us in but getting communities and untiring environmental advoca- parties together. her house. cy in the face of powerful oppo- "She didn't know what was "Even the NPA liked her; she happening with me—but she sition." could talk to the military, local knew. God told her I needed her. government, businessmen, and Wow, if we all listened to God she could give anybody a dress- the waY Gina did, tapos na wig ing down." pro bleina. It would be heaven on earth. Nobody can take her place." INQ sritAncw aimmumcnior, PA I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON cc 12 STORY aismoommad INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE 'Pato' 25 AUG 7019

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kit of passing it on." —GINA LOPEZ'S INSTAGRAM STRATI:0 C I 1 UPPER RAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMM UNI CATION STORY STORY - 3 e""al eak I NI' nAnVES PAGF wasssiole•••1 MANILAHIULLETIN LOWER ...mosiwar SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER

TITLE PAGE I/ 25 MG 7nin G IS FOR GENUINE A close encounter with Gina Lopez

By REDGE TOLENTINO you're topak too, right?" "He's cute! Trina, he should sing illustration by OTEPH ANTIPOLO This anecdote struck me for three and dance!" reasons. One, because it was funny. My mom smiled. Ms. G turned Two, because it wasn't the first time back to me. first heard about Gina Lo- I've heard someone call her "topak." "You should sing and dance. How pez the same way many Filipi- A friend mentioned that she once old are you? Do you have a girlfriend? nos probably did—with her ap- called for a meeting of CEOs from Boyfriend?" pointment as secretary for the all of the country's top mining corpo- Deer-in-headlights moment. I was DepartmentI of Energy and Natural rations. All these businessmen with nailed to the chair I felt the effects of Resources (DENR). Being a journal- their entourages—big money peo- sudden global warming. But Ms. G sat ist, I was probably at my desk, writ- ple—shifted their schedules just to ac- next to me, looked me right in the eye ing. I heard the name "Lopez" and commodate the request of a maverick as if saying: "People? What other peo- "government posting" and thought, government secretary threatening to ple? It's just you and me, iho." "same-old, same-old." Rent-seeking close down their mines. They showed But what she said was "So come families. Done deal. up, each probably prepared to discuss on, tell me about your love life." . But then she got rejected. Over extensive workarounds. Instead, they Now, I'm used to interviewing mining closures. And I've been work- walk into a prayer meeting. Ms. G had people. I know when they're nervous. ing in the industry long enough to (allegedly) arranged for nuns to place I know when they're defensive. I ask know that nothing in politics is ever their hands over the CEOs, praying friendly questions, I smile, I joke. I truly a coincidence. So I dug. that God descend and make them feel prod. Everything to get at the story. Basic research revealed that she genuine love for country And now with me on the receiving end was indeed a Lopez scion, second of Hilarious. One just can't make that 'of questions, the last thing I wanted to seven kids, and a runaway. In a coun- stuff up. broadcast to an entire office of strang- try where millions are living in poverty, Which brings me to the third reason ers was my entire love story. Ms. G chose to run away from a life of why Susan's "topak" anecdote was so So I don't know how she got it easy comfort to live in Portugal, India, remarkable: Because nowadays, hav- out of me. Something about her just and then Africa, almost as a refugee. ing the same almost child-like wonder felt. ..real. She spent years lining up for water, and naivety that Ms. G showed every I told. Oh did I tell. She even man- eating sparsely, meditating... Her life single day qualifies as insane. In ask- aged to get pictures. Pictures! Gee- read like Eat. Pray. Love., if that lasted ing "but you're topak too, right?" Ms. zas. I don't have a single couple pic on- for two decades. G was asking: "But we believe the line and there I was. Scrolling. Ugh. When she came back in 1993, Ms. same things, right? We can change But it was worth it. Ms. G dis- G started Bantay Bata 163, as well the world, right? pensed a tender measure of advice on as several TV shows. I now realize Now up to this point, everything is life and relationships, before tapping that I and many other "batang '90s" from something I've only read about my hand to say, "You should sing and kids owe her our formative years. It or heard. So let me tell you about the dance" one last time, before heading was her who started Bayani, Hiraya time I met Ms. G. to another meeting. Marawari, Math Tinik, and Sineskwe- My Gina Lopez moment, which It was the last time I would see her la—educational daytime TV shows that happened earlier this year, was five What I finally took away from those are now cancelled, probably because minutes off her hectic schedule one five minutes crystallized everything they didn't make a lot of money, though afternoon in her office. At the behest I've read or heard about her, and gave they damn well made a difference. of my mom, I was called in for a pos- me a realization. At her eulogy on Wednesday, Susan sible assignment. In an era of fake news and puppet Adam recounted a time when Ms. G, I was somewhat apprehensive. I politicians, true public servants exist, who constantly insisted on national-level tried to walk in as quietly as I could. and Ms. G was one of them. She was changes almost weekly, asked her: "Su- Even the air-conditioner was mak- an environmentalist in show busi- san, am I topak' (crazy/mental)?" ing more noise. But my mom intro- ness who wasn't doing it for show, a At which point Susan raised her duced me and Ms. G beamed: "Alt, personality who cared about persons, hands to sky and put on an expression so you're Trina's son! Do you sing? and a philanthropist who gave at that said: "You realize this now??" So Do you dance?" she asked as we least one writer something that felt a she said yes. Confirmed. Ibpak. But shook hands. lot like hope. then Ms. G retorted, calmly, "But "I—" Thank you, Ms. G.

i&ssII STRATEGIC 1111111;tzsims. = I I I= UPPER PAG I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STO Y STORY INI I !ASIDES PAGE SERVIO% MANILAPBULLETIN THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER

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?was an environmentalist in show business who wasn't doing it for show, a personality who cared about persons. and a philanthropist who Reginald C. gave at least one writer Thlentino writes freelance. He gravi- something Oat felt a lot tates toward sci-fi, fantasy, and creative like hope. non-fiction. He is now seriously considering a career in singing and dancing. na STRATEGIC e PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION $TORy STORY INITIATIVES Sae vimpolEnt SERVICE. AUG 7019

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In Tublay, Benguet, which is an emerging ecotourism destination. Turning over donations rdc College of Asia in Cavite. Gina Lope The heart of a aerior

assionate. with both sides li ed by squatter shanties, filled to the brim This was the with garbage an all kinds of human refuse whose stench pimpression that people would be enoug to make one gag and trigger a coughing got when they met Gina fit for those with eak lungs and olfactory senses. Lopez — the heart behind It took years I hard work and determination, but the ABS-CBN Foundation, the informal settlers ere eventually relocated, with the estero public service arm of the ABS- dredged and rid o garbage. The nearby Paco Market was also CBN network that champions refurbished and abilitated with an activity center added as the welfare of children, the a venue for pro mg livelihood as well as music and arts. poor and the disadvantaged, Today, the Est ro de Paco serves as a model of success this week on and the environment. for environment preservation, highlighting that the right I have always admired kind of strategie coupled with passion and determination peopleasia Gina for her zeal and passion, can transform an polluted waterway. BABE and most of all, her sincerity Gina was ort example of someone coming from a ROMUALDEZ in protecting the environment privileged background who fetl true compassion for those i and upholding the welfare of who have less in ife, using the Lopez power and wealth to children especially the abused and marginalized. I know do good for the untry. She was a big asset to her family it because we met many times for lunch and merienda, and this nation, angel to the poor and marginalized, but sharing with her my personal advocacy — cleaning the most of all 7- she was a warrio for Mother Earth. She will air of pollution — because of my allergic rhinitis triggered be greatly nlisse * by polluted air, giving many who suffer from it countless sleepless nights. I was extremely pleased when the Clean Air Act was passed, with Gina and former senator now Antique Rep. both working hard for the passage of the bill, gathering over five million signatures to support the initiative. 1 I remember well when Gina and her staff would send me 1 updates about the work they were doing to clean up the Pasig • River and rehabilitate the Estero de Paco, one of the creeks connected to the rivek Estero4riblikagrally-polluted, ,

With Gina during PeopleAsla's 'People of the Year' awards 2006.

Photos courtesy of the official Facebook page of Gina Lopez STRATEGIC UPPE PAGE 1 EANN ER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION y f)-E STORY STORY Miliimoal".1 INITIATIVES PAGE OWER 111•11•01~11W SERVICE Tel Ins rue sol•Mir Arienv-Eltailytribairve.corin 25. AUG 7019

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Trees in lieu of flowers for Gina As heavy rains poured on Saturday, the collective tears of kin, friends and colleagues of former Environment secretary and ABS-CBN nundation chief Gina Lopez also fell as her remains were brought out of the ABS-CBN compound for her interment. Prior to the former Environment secretary's interment, members of Bantay lialilcasan Flormdation —which Lopez established in 1999 —held saplings of different trees as the environmentalist's hearse left the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City. According to Jo Pascual, one of Bantay Kalikasan's supervisors, instead of offering flowers, the group decided to bid her goodbye by planting 130 saplings of yakal, ipil, white lawaan, and malaruhat trees at the La Mesa Eco Park, the of which was one of Lopez's projects. "Ma'am Gina's legacy is in the environment especially trees," said Pascual. "This ' is what we donated so that even when she's gone, she will still be remembered." Lopez, President 's first environment secretary, led a crackdown on mining firms during her stint at the Department of Environment and Natural , Resources (DENR), where she ordered 23 of the Philippines' 41 mining companies to be closed and revoked operation permits of five other firms. Elmer N. Manuel STRATEGIC UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION y vs?. STORY STORY 1•11Ban/ INITIATIVES PAGE WBR .....11111/ SERVICE Tri hi.. roe oly-FrIbLA ow-corr. AUG 2019 DATE TREE: Nuggets of wisdom from Gina Lopez

By Patricia Mirasol

Regina Paz Lopez Gina Lopez to most, was an industrialist 's daughter who could've chosen to live her entire life in privilege. She eschewed that path and instead became a yoga missionary at the age of 18, "living as the poor lived" and serving in Portugal, India and Africa. Upon her return, she headed the charitable arm of the family conglomerate, ABS-CBN Foundation, and helmed pioneering programs such as Bantay Bata 163. It is her work as a staunch environmental activist, however, that gained her national prominence. Championing such causes as the rehabilitation of the La Mesa Watershed and Pasig River, her passion for environmental causes eventually earned her the cabinet post of Environment Secretary in 2016. Although her appointment was not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments, her infectious spirit and principled stand caught the attention of the general public. Ms. Lopez's unwavering faith in the country— coupled with her ebullient nature — encouraged a lot of to spread kindness and do their share in caring for mother earth. Here are some of her most notable quotes culled from her official Facebook page as well as from posts by ABS-CBN, GMA and Esquire Philippines:

On values "It is much better to live according to principle than according to rules, because situations in life change." "Paradise is not made of buildings. Paradise is made of people loving each other and living with values."

On governance "I'm going to do the right thing and let the dice fall where it may. And I am going to hope that maybe these politicians, STRATEGIC I ii 1 LI UPPER PAGE 1 RANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION Oa- y 1) STOP STORY %.... 14/ INITIATIVES PAGE ei,ER SERVICE flihuine virvv-IDa i I y-Yr i lb as eve . c• co-a C. ••• AUG 7019 DATE TITIE PAGE If

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even if they're funded by mining money, must have love for God and country in their hearts." On nation building "Who suffers if you kill the environment? It's the "If we, in this country dream and hope for the POOL And whose duty is it to protect our people? common good and commitment to integrity I have no It's the government. And when you make decisions doubt in my heart and in my mind that our country will based on business interests, you have shirked your see the light of day." responsibility. You have lost the moral ascendancy "As long as people care enough, love ertough and to rule the government because, to you, business work together, our country will have the future we and money are more important than the welfare aspire for. The future belbngs to those who believe of our people." enough to do."

On service On love "We have this life to live. We do service for "Love is courage. You can't say you love if you're not the common good. We make a difference for courageous enough to stand for it." ourselves and others. It's a very good way to go." On sp 'tuality On the environment "One of the biggest mzstakes of humanity is to "Our right, the Filipino right to water, to foolishly think we are theSe physical bodies and life life, to agriculture, ¬ only constitutional. ends when this physical body deteriorates. The truth is That's God-given." that we are spirit, living noW gives us the opportunity "I really don't see how the country will to 'hone' our spirit so that it is more aligned with higher forces of truth and light." move forward and realize its potential if we don't commit to the nurturance of these "God exists, He does, whether you believe it or not... resources." And if you can go into the cjuiet of your heart you will "It is my determination that the resources feel that love is with you evbry single micro-second of of the Philippines be enjoyed by the Filipino the day.. It's there for you unconditionally. And may people." it continue to hold us, and may it continue to nurture us and propel us into creating a piece of heaven in "I refuse to allow the paradise that is this country." the Philippines become a hell so that future generations would grow up and say *man talaga, that's all we know.'" We don't have to fiiund organizations or become yoga "I am only here for a split second of eternity. Let Imissionazies to male a difference. We can all learn from the the future generations enjoy their constitutional pessons of this earth warrior's life by practicing kindness, right to a healthy ecology." rotecting the environment, and promoting meaningful hange in our own personal ways.

IT was a life well-lived for the former Environment S ecretary, Gina Lopez. STRATlitac UPPER MG RANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STO STORY INITIATIVE% 4-to PAGE LOWER ,k•••••

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Gina Lopez Stories of Gina Lopez's lifelong advo- cacies—from saving the biologically dead Pasig River to founding the conn- try's first hotline to rescue abused chil- dren—came to the fore last week after news broke of her death from cancer. Lopez, 69, was a longtime champion of environmental causes, in whom ac- tivists found an unlikely ally, she being a scion of one of the country's most powerful and richest families. Turning away from her affluent background, however, was nothing new for Lopez who left the comforts of home at 18 to pursue life's deeper meaning as an Ananda Marga missionary in Europe, India and Africa. Upon her return to her family in the '9os, she led the Lopezes' charity arm, ABS-CBN Foun- dation. But she made more headlines when she was chosen by President Duterte to lead the Department of En- vironment and Natural Resources (DENR), reportedly after she gave him a lecture on environmental policy. Wasting no time, Lopez shut down big mining firms found to have violated the country's environment laws. Her uncompromising stance, particularly against the mining industry, was seen by many as the main reason behind the Commission on Appointments' rejec- tion of her as DENR chief.

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While her work in these fields is much lauded and well-remembered, only a few now recall that Lopez EDITORIAL was also a trailblazer in championing local children's television. S e pioneered Educational Television (ETV), which red 16 educational television programs over 15 years, nd put in place video libraries in 10,000 public school . Children who grew up in the 199 0S would remember these educational shows under the Out-of-the-box ETV program: "Sineskwela" (science), "Math Tinik" (math), "HiraYamanawari" (values), "Bayani" (history) and "Epol/Apple" (English)—virtually a now-bygone warrior golden era of kids' TV programming that benefited millions of Filipino children, and a thrust that de- ncomiums flowed freely from top govern- serves to be revbied. (A study by the National Council ment officials and sundry politicians in the for Children's Television in 2015 showed that 48.7 per- wake of the passing of former environment cent of 4395 children surveyed have access to TV and secretary Gina Lopez. Among those who watch an average of three hours per day, particularly paid tribute were members of the very in- from 5-10 p.m.) Lopez was the first Southeast Asian stitutions that made sure her forthright, to be honored the unesch Kalinga Award for her take-no-prisoners brand of environmental- work in "Sineslcwela." ism would not prosper or become official Lopez took on advocacies that broke down the policy, by soundly rejecting her appoint- walls of her comfortable upbringing to the extent that ment to the DENR post in May 2017. it made many people uncomfortable and, at crunch

ELopez faced an uphill battle at the powerful Com- time, cost her a Cabinet job. But "[II decided to be true mission on Appointments (CA) from the outset, with to myself," she said when she accepted her appoint-

her controversial orders to close down 23 mines and ment as environment secretary. "If I had calculated suspend five others, and to cancel 75 contracts for and maneuvered, I would never have forgiven Myself." mining projects in watersheds. Despite being reap- In her confirmation hearing before the CA, Lopez pointed by President Duterte twice, the CA nixed her was askel what made her "extreme." She replied: appointment after only three hearings. "I'm a veifr out-of-the-box person... so I can do any- Much has been said about Lopez's storied life. At thing an4 everything, but my non-negotiable com it she turned her back on privilege as the daughter of mitment is to our people and the principles of in- one of the country's wealthiest families, to become a tegrity. lm never gonna budge there because some- full-fledged yoga missionary. She would spend the thing in , e will die." next two decades living among the poor in Portugal, From the environment to social causes to chil- India and Africa, where she said she learned the quali- dren's TV, the fearless, out-of-the-box spirit of Gina ty of persistence and the value of hardship. "When Lopez made the nation's life considerably richer, even one doesn't have much, one treasures every little bit. I if many times it didn't know it or was slow to recog- lived as the poor lived, so I learned how not to be nize thq value of such causes. The Philippines, now wasteful," she wrote in Rogue magazine in 2016. among the world's environmental hotspots, has just This life-changing experience would help her find lost perhaps its fiercest eco-warrior —at a time when her calling. She took over ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. it needs her kind the most. (now ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.) in 1994 shortly after she returned to the Philippines. She then established Bantay Bata 163, a hotline to pro- tect disadvantaged and at-risk children, which in 1997 bested 187 countries from around the world to receive the United Nations Grand Awardee for Excellence. In 1999, Lopez established Bantay Kalikasan as the foundation's environmental arm to extend aid to victims of natural calamities. It was through her work in Bantay Kalikasan that Lopez led the rehabili- tation of the 2,7oo-hectare La Mesa Watershed and the development of the La Mesa Ecopark. In 2010, she was appointed head of the Pasig River Rehabili- tation Commission (PRRC). Under her leadership, % PRRC relocated informal settlers and cleaned up the tributaries of the Pasig River, paving the way for the ! revival of the Pasig River ferry service. She also , launched the antimining Save Island move- ment, gathering to million signatures over four , years to support the campaign. For these environ- ment-related works, Lopez was awarded $10,000 as part of the 2017 Seacology Prize.

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Like Gina Lopez, let us enter the narrow gate Someone asked him (Jesus), savoring those earthly lures. after Lopez died, Fr Nono Alfonso, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" head of Jesuit Communications, He answered them, "Strive to enter FAITH The pains of mission quoted her article of two years ago: by the narrow gate, for many, I tell HEALER "What was my life like in Africa? you, will attempt to enter but will By contrast, how many choose I lived for six years in Kenya. Two not be strong enough." RICARDO the narrow gate of Lopez: ex- of those years were in a slum area, — Jesus Christ in the SALUDO pending two decaaes of her where we had to stand in line for Gospel of Luke, 13:23-24 youth on missionary work in water and the toilet system was Jesus's teaching. Yet, despite the poor foreign lands, then advanc- pathetic. It was there that I learned EFORE anything else, a plug widespread anger over Sanchez's ing social causes and locking to value water. I had one pail and Bfor the "Genuine Love" fearful crimes and feared release, in horns with the rich and powerful that was it: for bathing myself and documentary on the late Envi- fact, most people probably follow to protect abused, defenseless using the last bit for washing my ronment and Natural Resources the wider entrance of pleasure- nature and poor communities? underwear. When one doesn't have Secretary Gina Lopez at 10.45 seeking, power-grabbing and get- In her struggle for the planet and much, one treasures every little a.m. and 9 p.m. today on ABS- ting ahead taken by the once-en- the underprivileged, Lopez braved bit. I lived as the poor lived, so I CBN. Don't miss it. trenched Calauan, Laguna mayor. even vested interests ia Congress in learned how not to be wasteful — a Amid the outrage over the Sure, people do not go around her avowed crackdowi on destruc- trait I carry to this day where I use possibility of rapist-murderer committing abduction, gang rape tive mining, leading to her ouster every bit of everything." Antonio Sanchez being paroled, and murder, then trafficking nar- from the Cabinet, despite Presi- Such a life was, of course, so the widespread adulation for cotics and even smuggling a kilo dent Rodrigo Duterte's staunch far removed from her upbring- Lopez seems providential, with of shabu into prison, hidden in support. But her h rdest trials ing in the wealthy Lopez family both lives exemplifying in me- a statue of the Blessed Virgin. But may have been in th obscurity of till at age 18, she left home to dia our Lord's Gospel message one must admit while avoiding her missionary year, rather than don the orange yoga missionary at Sunday Mass today: To be Sanchez's heinous extremes, most the televised promi ence of her habit. But her regimen would not saved, enter by the narrow gate. people are drawn to pleasure, pow- Bantay Bata and Bat lay Kalikasan be unfamiliar to the disciples of No prizes for guessing which er and prestige, and spend much of advocacies. In his homily at the Jesus Christ. When he called his of these two personages followed their waking moments seeking and wake Mass last Tu4dayohe day HealerA5

Apostles, he instructed the 12: "Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff" (Gospel of Matthew, 10:9-10). Besides eschewing comforts, a dis- ciple must also face conflict, if not martyrdom. Take St. Bartholomew, also called Nathanael, whose feast was celebrated yesterday. Early Christian tradition has it that he preached in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, India and Armenia. In Abanopolis on the Caspian Sea's western shore, St. Bartholomew was beheaded and flayed alive Lopez, too, had her flaying. Like this writer, she was one of the rare Cabinet appointees rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA). She stood up for the environment, just 'as one defended the independence of the Civil Service Commission against political meddling, paying the price of CA rejection in September 2009. 'In,upholding truth, justice and righ- teousness, be ready for pain.

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INamastei Gina The morning Gina Lopez passed am thankful that Gina service held in her away, I wanted to dismiss it as fake welcomed me with open honor and listening I am news. I so hoped that it was not arms when I expressed to anecdotes and thankful true. Refusing to accept that we immense interest in stories of those who that Gina had all lost such a good person, I helping her at Bantay knew her best, there is welcomed messaged some friends of mine at Kalikasan. She, in fact, little doubt that Gina me with ABS-CBN and they confirmed the reached out to me to sad news. was indefatigable and open arms co-host the "Bantay determined. How do I begin to describe such when I Kalikasan" show. I will remember her an amazing spirit? So grounded, expressed I remember being best for being humble, so humble, so true! A "good immense one of the emcees compassionate and soul" as her brother Ernie aptly HALF FULL interest at the gathering in loving. expressed in his moving tribute at Lia Andanar Yu in helping Congress when we Gina, yours was a the necrological service for Gina. pushed for the passage her at road less traveled and, my, you She is best known for being of the Clean Air Act. Walking blazed that difficult trail! Bantay the driving force and mother of and working the hallowed halls Kalikasan. At a time ABS-CBN Foundation. I began my of Congress, she determinedly when I had it television broadcast journalism and passionately ensured so personally Gina's passion career co-anchoring with David that she would gather enough felt that I to enhance Celdran on the first-ever support and signatures needed was close to stewardship of Philippine cable news channel to turn the act into law. And with a sustainable and care for the Sky Cable News via the "Midday Gina's dogged determination, work-life environment so Report" newscast. I have been it indeed became law. But that balance, I that indigenous fortunate to always be at arms' was just the beginning. The knew in my and all peoples' reach of ABS-CBN Foundation. I work, Gina's passion to enhance soul that doing lives would be stewardship of and care for the work with you uplifted would environment so that indigenous was what set her on course and all peoples' lives would be would strike to do things that uplifted, would set her on course that much many thought to to do things that many thought, sought-after be too difficult or to be too difficult or even O • balance, even impossible. impossible. I will Watching the video clips remember your life's work and and photos shown at the hope to continue doing my share memorial together with all those whose lives you have touched. You have been that kind of spirit after all — inspiring us to do \ what's best for others, N most especially the least, the lost andthe last. Namaste, Ninang. Rest in peace now. STRATEGIC I 'el I 1 1 1 / I I PAGE I WINER EDITOMAI CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY &al 6 I I aPimir, INITIATIVES PAGE TOWER SERVIC 'flitn 'Platt times 25A1132o19

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COMMENTARY Tribute to Gina Lopez the farmers affected by dirty BY PHILIP CAMARA The poor farmer, already abused by traders and financiers, mining who had no prior ap- now condemned to an eternal pointment, because she cared. T FIRST met Gina Lopez in lba, Why did this strike me? Zambales in 1992. She had just life of urban poorness from the no Because this showed me Gi- recently returned from her Ananda poisoning of their land had effective defenders though many na's unconditional love for the Marga phase. As the new head of Filipino people, especially the ABS-CBN Foundation, she imme- tried and even died in defense of the poor and their livelihoods, less fortunate, even if it meant diately went to the Mt. Pinatubo 'now and in the future. ...breaking cultural and state pro- areas that had been affected by tocol boundaries. Gina did not the eruption to establish a resettle- This not only made Gina act; the grievousness of what she saw, know the definition of bound- ment site for victims. site after site, which she ably docu- aries if it meant crossing it to She came to our house in lba mented, researched, visited and get something done and done with her son Babu, who was not directly felt the pain of victims, well with honesty andintegifty. even one year old yet. Gina took made her angry and determined. I thought anyone else, yes care of this resettlement project This firing up of Gina, in the anyone, would have the farmers very well, and we would see each service of the Filipino people, rallying in anger maybe inside other occasionally when she and set her on a path that would be the building at some safe hall, Sona would visit our beach farm, her most difficult as it pitted her but no, Gina wanted them, with which was just about 6 kilome- most directly with the causes of seats in her office to the chagrin \\. ters from the projett site. the suffering of so many of the security officers. The am- The ABS-CBN Foundation slo- nos that no one, most especially bassador would be fuming mad gan of "in the service of the Fili- those living off our taxes, did silently, but Gina's priorities pino people' was not something anything effective about. and giving importance to the Gina would take as mere words Most of those in a position to do less fortunate was paramount. — fortunately for the foundation. something were merely content to Gina demanded that love Gina was so good with words. issue weightless and hypocritical be turned from words into ac- Her columns at the Philippine words by saying one thing and tion in the service of the poor, Star are a testament to that. Her who need well-functioning choice of words, her persona and doing the exact opposite, to block ecosystems and thoughtful de- her from her mission. her good looks melded so well velopment of an area to build Thus, in President Duterte, together. But the last thing Gina sustainable, equitable local Gina saw a man of action and wanted was to be satisfied with economies. Gina was not just a not just words. And together they words alone, whether it came ferocious eco warrior, she also reformed one of the pillars of an from a nice mouth or a fancy spelt out what equitable area industry that consisted largely report. She wanted "action in the development based on love in the mindless, thoughtless service of the Filipino People." meant. She did this in her own shipping of Philippine soil to Gina, in seeking action with gentle and charming manner. China at tremendous social and results, with her big heart and Gina, rest in peace. You have environmental costs, costs borne very sharp mind, and her connec- fired up countless Filipinos to by the poof and powerless. tions, whipped up program after join you in your spirit of truly But it was Gina who took the program after program under the caring. You have always said bull by the horns. She would nev- foundation and in collaboration that to be a Myer we must cross with other nongovernment or- er kill the bull; she just wanted boundaries. And you have said ganizations and advocates. She it to become "grass-fed beef and that most of these boundaries accomplished,within her lifetime have a role in making healthy are our own internal fears. We what would take others several grass-fed butter... You know, must reach out effectively and lifetimes to accomplish. something healthy!" Ah, but the make peoltlei genuinely happy, Gina did not issue words to bull had many friends and they especially the less fortunate. create the action, or "para utos conspired to remilive her from the We Filijoinos are fortunate' fang." Gina herself was the ac- center of the action as secretary that God chose the Philippines tion. The center of it, the mover of Department of Environemnt and a Filipino to be a channel of it, the cheerleader of it, the and Natural Resources (DENR). to remind us of the power of heart behindit; and never ever While at the DENR she did unconditional love when it acts. forgetting that it was in the - many things but in working service of the Filipino people. with her there, my keenest The author is a trustee of the I For Gina, who were the peo- memory is of Gina's not mind- Haribon Foundation. _ pie? The people were the power- ing the European ambassadors less against rapacious greed that waiting for their turn in her of- 1 saw communities in mineralized fice at their appointed time, so or forested lands as a nuisance that she could first meet with and something to get rid of. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY INITIATIVES al PAGE LOWER - SERVICE NI=110"Mr 25 AUG ?019

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Editoryal Taga-protekta ng kapaligiran

11\TOON pa, ipinakita na ng environmentalist na si Gina Lopez ang matinding pagmamahal sa ka- pahgiran at kalikasan. Bago pa siya hiranging DENR Secretary noong 2016, marami na siyang nalinis na ilog at estero at tinulungan ang mga nakatira sa pampang na ma-relocate sa Calauan, Laguna. Kahit nailipat na ang alga tao, sinundan pa rin niya at si- nigurong may pinagkukunan ng ikabubuhay. Nang maupong Environment secretary, ipinahayag agad niya ang pagtutol sa pagmimina. Galit siya sa mga nagmimina. Ayon sa kanya, ang pagmimina ang pumapatay sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Walang ibang nakilcinabang sa pagmimina kundi ang mga dayuhan at mayayaman. Tinotoo niya ang pag-ayaw sa pagmitnina. Umabot sa 22 mining companies ang kanyang naipasara at 12 contracts sa pagmirnina ang kanyang kinansela sa

panahon ng kanyang partunungkuLin sa Duterte admi- nistration. Aug 22 mining companies ay napatunayang lumabag sa mga itinatakdang batas. Aug paginimina ang dahilan ng siltation, soil erosion at dust emission. Hindi naipagpatuloy ni Lopez ang kanyang ad- bokasiya na mailigtas ang kalikasan laban sa mga mapang-abusong mining companies sapagkat ni-re- ject siya ng Commission on Appointment (CA) noong 2017. Labing-anim na senador ang bumoto para maalis siya sa puwesto at walo ang pumanig sa kanya. May pait sa tinig ni Lopez makaraang ma-reject, sabi niya, ang interes sa negosyo ang nangibabaw. Bukod sa paglaban sa iresponsableng mining com- panies, adbokasiya rin niya ang pagtatanitn ng mga punong kahoy. Siya ang nagpashnuno sa reforestation ng La Mesa Watershed at sa malawakang pagtatanixn ng bakawan sa Palawan. Noong Lunes (Agosto 19,2019), pumanaw si Lopez sa edad na 65. Ganunman, ptunanaw siya na may naiwang magandang alaala sa mamamayan. Alam niya na may karapatan ang bawat Pilipino sa isang malinis at malusog na kapaligiram Hangarin niyang mawala ang mga tumatampalasan sa mga bundok at kumakalbo sa kagubatan. Hindi malilimutan ang kanyang mga ginawa bilang taga-protekta ng ka - paligiran at kalikasan. STRATEGIC on_ lit! I UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STOFIY STORY INI'l 'All YEN MANILAPBULLETIN PAGE JERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER

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PH, South Korea asked to act quickly on waste imports wake-up call to speed up the removal of banning waste imports. This should By CHITO A. CHAVEZ the garbage. We can no longer allow an- include prosecuting and penalizing par- ties involved," said Abigail Aguilar, re- rotesting environmental other incident, accidental or deliberate, groups on Saturday demand- to occur and put the health and safety gional campaign coordinator of Green- ed for quicker and more ur- of the people at grave risk. The Presi- peace Southeast Asia, gent action from the Philip- dent should now intervene to hasten his The South Korean garbage, which p country's re-importation of their own arrived in the Philippines in July and pine and South Korean governments on October last year, was misdeclared as the issue of waste imports. trash," said Aileen Lucero, national co- The call has snowballed as they ordinator of Quezon City based EcoW- "plastic synthetic flakes". It was later discovered it contained asked for the immediate and perma- este Coalition. contaminated mixed plastics, discarded nent ban on all wastes imported into the EbIlovving the spate of controversies batteries and other electronic wastes, Philippines, as well as the immediate on waste importation, an administrative soiled diapers, used dextrose tubes, and return of the remaining garbage from order is expected to come out this month other hospital and hazardous wastes. South Korea. from the Department of Environment The consignee, Verde Soko Philip- lb recall, the provincial government and Natural Resources (DENR), which pines Industrial Corporation, also failed of Misarnis Oriental held a hearing on imposes a three-month moratorium on t6 secure an import permit from the the illegal waste shipment that has all waste-related imports. been languishing in the municipality of It also stipulated a P3-milllon se- DENR. An initial batch of garbage-filled Tagoloan of the said province. curity bond for every permit issued to The garbage, which has made a importers, which is Intended to cover containers, weighing 1,400 tons, was sent back to South Korea in January, portion of the Phividec Industrial Zone potential export costs should violations but the return of the remaining 5,177 seem like an open dumpsite, caught fire be found. metric tons has been undergoing sev- on August 15. However, environmentalists insist- Reports revealed this was probably ed the measure was very temporary, eral delays. This last shipment has turned por- caused by the presence of methane pro- and could fail to address long-standing tions of a government property, which duced by the trash while toxic smoke threats from waste imports. Is surrounded by residential communi- had threatened the residents and work- "We need urgent action on long- ties, into an open dumpsite, but without ers in the area. term solutions. If the Philippine and the stringent measures required to con- It took 11 hours before the fire was South Korean governments are serious trol the environmental and health risks put out. in solving this crisis, they should act "The pollution from the fire Is a now to legislate a policy permanently that such a site poses. STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE 1 UPP PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION Pi t STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LO 111111SOMMIr ,..0111mr aERVICE

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CWA should be Meanwhile, LGUs, though required under the CWA, a concerted effort have not appropriated lands, including the required right- Just recently, the Supreme Court ordered water conces- of-way (ROW) and road access, for the construction of sionaires Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water Co. the SITs. Because of red tape, there have also been delays to pay P921 million each for violating the Clean Water in the issuance by LGUs of the necessary permits for the two concessionaires to go ahead on their STP works. Act (CWA) and over P300,000 for each day of their sup- It may therefore be unfair for some quarters to accuse posed failure to connect the sewer lines of homes and the conces ionaires of tucking sewerage fees in their commercial establishments to the existing sewage line Ps. in the metropolis. monthly bi Is while not building such ST In their separate petitions for review, however, While Maynilad has collected environmentand sewer- Maynilad and MWC said while they have done their age charged of P38.07 billion since 1997, it has spent P46.7 part and have in fact invested billions of pesos yearly billion on these items from 1997 to date. It is targeting in modernizing water distribution a 100 percent completion rate by 2036. Maynilad, as of HIDDEN and sewerage systems, there are April 2017,is already operating 20 wastewater treatment others who had been remiss in their facilities and is in fact building more. AGENDA duties under this law. It would be unfair to put all the blame on these two So the question is, whether these concessionaires who are in fact relying on the 2037 dead- two should be meted such huge line given by the Sc earlier to finish their work under penalties when in fact, this job the CWA. requires multi-sectoral action and Gov't rescue efforts there are factors beyond these con- Last January,the Department of Trade and Industry cessionaires' control that prevent imposed provisional safeguard duties on imported ce- the faster construction of sewage ment amounting to P8.40 per bag after determining a treatment plants (STPs) or facilities. huge surge in imports was causing serious injury to local MARY ANN MWC pointed out in its petition cement manufacturers. LL. REYES that the DENR is tasked by law to Unfortunately, the P8.40 per bag provisional safeguard IsArTuLADATALLIA1TTAA'AMTATTsx's1DI duty by the DTI proved vastly insufficient as imports compel citizens to connect existing even surged by 48.2 percent in the first half of 2019 to sewer lines and those yet to be established by MWC and 3.4 million metric tons compared to the 2.29 million tons Maynilad. imported in the same period last year. It may also be worth noting that the DENR, as lead The Tariff Commission, after conducting formal inves- agency responsible for implementing the CWA, has not tigations, has just recommended to the DTI the imposition completed (drawing up a Water Quality Management of permanent safeguard duties of P12 per bag of cement. Area Action Plan, which includes setting the goals and The TC in its report noted that Type I and Type IP targets for a sewerage or septage program. cement were imported into the country in increased Also under the law, the Department of the Interior and quantities starting in 2016, and that the domestic cement Local Government is mandated to order all Metro Manila industry's market share, sales, profits, production and mayors and governors of affected provinces to inspect capacity utilization deteriorated from2013 to 2018. and determine if wastewater treatment facilities like It said there exists an imminent threat of serious injury septic tanks are in place in their respective communities. in the future, with imports likely to substantially increase The DILG was also required by the SC in its ruling due to, among others, the substantial freely disposable in the 2011 case of MMDA vs Concerned Residents of production capacities of exporters and the importance Mahila Bay to submit a five-year plan of action that will of the Philippines as an export market by top suppliers contain measures intended to ensure compliance of all Vietnam] and China. non-complying factories, commercial establishments and The TC, through its chairperson Marilou Mendoza, private homes to the CWA. said serious injury to the domestic cement industry The DILG and LGUs are likewise required to consider would occur imminently if a definitive safeguard measure providing land for the wastewater treatment facilities of against importations of cement is not applied. the two concessionaires or their regulator, the MWSS. It recommended to the DTI that such measure be ap- Meanwhile, the DPWH, in coordination plied for a period of three years starting from the date with LGUs, was also tasked under the CWA to prepare the provisional measure took effect. a national program on sewage and septage management. For his part, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said he The DPWH has not implemented this program. would review the amount proposed by the TC, includ- Thus, the responsibility for linking the sewer lines ing industry proposals for a higher duty of from P18 to of private homes and commercial establishments to the P22 per bag. existing sewerage system in Metro Manila, Rizal and The local industry maintains that their 28 million Cavite is not the sole responsibility of the water conces- metric ton annual manufacturing capacity is more than sionaires but rather requires collective action from several enough to meet domestic demand which is buoyed by the government agencies, many of who have not done what government's Build Build Build infrastructure program. is required of diem. Kudos to the DTI and the TC for doing what needs to Other factors that hinder the success of the CWA • be done, although the DTI may have to impose a higher is the presence of informal- settlers who dump their duty than what the TC has recommended to really protect wastes into rivers, lakes and esteros, and the fact that the local cement industry. simultaneous construction of 'STPs will only add to For comments, e-mail at [email protected] • traffic congestion. It should also be noted that in the same 2011 Manila Bay case, the SC gave the MVVSS and the concessionaires until 2037 to complete the setting up of wastewater man- agement facilities. This judicial interpretation of the CWA in effect nullified an order of the Pollution Adjudication Board in 2009 which states that the task of setting, up wastewater treatment facilities should be completed five years after the enactment of the CWA in 2004. 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Maynilad thousands of hectares of denuded por- tions of thetilipo Dam. Trees in e watersheds absorb rainwa- steps up ter which channels it into streams, rivers, and eventually darns where fresh water is sourced. reforestation The refo4estation project, which focuses

By LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON on the wa rsheds of Umiray, Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Marikina and Laguna, aims to West zone concessionaire Mayni- plant one thillion trees yearly for the next lad Water Services Inc. pledged to five years as part of th government's plant 34,000 trees and mangroves campaign to reforest the country. as part of its annual "Plant for Life" Maynilad is the largest private water program. concessionaire in the country in terms of The move is part of continuing customer base. It serves the areas of Caloo- efforts to reforest the Ipo Watershed can, Pasay, Parafiaque, Las Pin- as, Muntin- and other watersheds within the West lupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, and Zone. certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, It also aims to prevent calamities and Cavite. such as land erosion and flooding, The conipany is owned and managed as well protect water quality in the by Maynilad Water Holdings Co. Inc., a dams that supply the water needs of joint venture among Metro Pacific Invest- Metro Manila. ments Cop., DMCI Holdings Inc. and This year, Maynilad adopted 30 Marubeni orp. hectares in Mt. Balagbag in Rizal, one of the most heavily deforested areas of the Ipo watershed. "One way to ensure the sustain- ability of our limited water resources is to plant trees in vital watersheds. Planting trees prevents the soil ero- sion that could affect the quality of raw water, and also offers a long- term solution to the cycle of flooding during the rainy season," Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez said. Since the program's inception in 2007, Maynilad has planted almost 800,000 trees in the Ipo watershed covering an area of 341 hectares. It has expanded reforestation ac- tivities to include watersheds in Mal- abon and Muntinlupa, and the plant- ing of mangroves in Laguna Lake and the coastal areas of Manila Bay. The Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MVVSS) has long been urging the concessionaires to come up with an integrated approach towards sustainable management and protection of the watersheds to ensure stable water supply in the metro and nearby provinces. Over the long-term, MWSS targets to implement a Corporate Forestry Watershed Legacy Program to en- courage the adoption by various corporations and other entities of

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25 Akamin • P.- 1 PAGE I/ PROJECT OFFERING TO SAVE LAKES AND RIVERS Eco-Sep to help mitigate water pollution

STORY & PHOTOS BY JONATHAN L. MAY UGA DOST solution OLLUTION, brought by poor IN response to the challenge, the Department of Science and Tech- solid waste management, and nology (DOST) has developed a pinadequate or lack of sewerage technology that will mitigate wa- terpollution that couldprotect and and sewage treatment plants (STPs) save important bodies of water, such as Lake Mainit, from human in the country's ecotourism sites, pose pressure. Dr. Merlinda A. Palencia, a serious problems on the environment professor at Adamson University, and the health and well-being of the invented the Eco-Sep technology through funding from Philippine communities. Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research It has been proposed to de- and Development (PCIEERD) of One such tourism site threat- clare the Lake Mainit watershed the DOST. ened by the booming ecotourism as a protected area under the The project, "Eco-friendly Sep- industry in Mindanao is Lake National Integrated Protected tic System for Tourism and Envi- Mainit, the country's fourth Area System. ronmentally CompromisedAreas," largest lake and the deepest in may yet solve the environmental the country. Economically important problems brought about by the di- Located in the northeastern BESIDES being the source rect discharge of untreatedwaste- section of Mindanao and shared of livelihood of hundreds of water that leaks into the freshwa- between the provinces of Su- families living around it, Lake ter resources, like lakes and rivers. rigao del Norte and Agusan del Mainit is also a source of water Last July 24, the DOST inau- Norte, it has a surface area of essential for household use, as gurated the Eco-Sep in Kitcharao, 173.40 square kilometers and well as irrigation. Agusan del Norte, at the town's depth reaching 223 meters. It is known in the region for newly constructed convention It is bordered by the towns of its rich fish resources. More than center near Lake Mainit, in its Mainit and Alegria in Surigao del 30 barangays in the four towns bid to mitigate water pollution. Norte and the towns ofJabona and bordering the lake are depen- The convention center is Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte. dent on it's bounty for food and one of several facilities con- livelihood. structed in what will soon be Key area With its attractions, Lake the town's eco-park to promote. THE lake and its surrounding wa- Mainit is fast-becoming a popu- Lake Mainit as a tourism site, tershed are considered key biodi- lar ecotourism site in the Caraga and to help protect and con- versity areas. Lake Mainit's wa- region, posing serious challenges serve the lake and the various tershed is the habitat of rare fish inpromoting sustainable tourism wildlife that thrive within the species, includingpuyo, or climbing while protecting and conserving surrounding watershed. perch, and gabot, a riverine fish the lake's environment and natu- that is said to be on the brink of ex- ral resources at the same time. Eco-Sep Technology tinction because of, among others, ECO-SEP will help address predation by introduced species. The forests around the lake are home to rare and threatened wildlife, as well, giving the. lake and its surrounding area a high ecological value.

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MERLINDA PALENCIA (second from left) shows an [co-Sep tank to officials of the DUST during the inauguration of the [co-Sep installation at Kitcharao Convention Center in Lake Mainit. With her are Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda L Nazareth- Manzano (left) and PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit.

safe and effective. It neutralizes strong odor, is nontoxic or,has no health hazards. The combination of Eco-Sep and Vigormin can effectively re- duce odor in septic tanks and im- prove septic water quality. Vigormin, a powder-like sub- stance, is mixed and dissolved in water, which will be poured inside the Eco-Sep tank. It has a resealable outlet that leads to the four-cham- bered plastic septic tank, allowing the natural water-treatment min- erals to do its thing. So far Eco-Sep has been used in General Luna Public Market, the Traveller's Beach Resort and General Luna National High School, all on Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. PALENCIA explains the [co-Sep technology during the inauguration of the [co-Sep Other applications installation in Lake Mainit in Kitcharao, VIGORNI1N can also be used as Agusan del Norte, on July 24. an odor neutralizer for decaying organic waste, materials-recovery the treatment of sewerage which can remove total suspend- facilities and landfills. and wastewater from house- ed solids, biochemical oxygen According to Palencia, the dis- holds, resorts, hotels and demand and some pathogens. charge from the system has been public establishments. found to pass the water-quality It is a water-treatment system Natural water treatment standards under the Philippine consisting of a plastic septic tank, SHE said Eco-Sep is boosted by Water Act. This means the dis- organomineral and drain field. the use of vigormin natural wa- charge water is safe and can be The system makes use of ter treatment minerals, which she reused for watering plants or filtration and bioremediation developed. It is natural, odor-free, vegetable gardens. STRATEGIC LIPPE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 4- (4 STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER Sitevick Bum' essMirror 11.1.thko4ornn,kra 25 .U6 7niq DATE TITLE: PAGE I/ P-3

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"It will help improve and sus- "In 2025, we will have a severe tain ecotourism in the country. freshwater shortage. Because we We all know that the Philip- have limited lfreshwater resources pines is one of the top ecotour- and we are polluting and abusing ism destinations all over the our pristine water resources. Deep world. Caraga is blessed with wells can no longerbe used in Metro beautiful islands and white- Manila, Central and South- sand beaches. But pollution is a ern Tagalog Region. [Because] there problem. In Manila, the govern- are too many people [and because ment launched the Manila Bay of] improper solid waste manage- rehabilitation program because ment and poor sewerage system. of pollution," she said. Wastewater? Eighty-five percent According to Palencia, the use of are domestic from households and - Eco-Sep in Lake Mainit can prevent small-scale industries," she said. future problems—mainly water Most water treatment tech- pollution that can undermine the nologies, she said, are capital productivity of precious economic intensive, because of the design resources—whether as water for and the technology used. domestic use, for agriculture or live- "The Ec -Sep technology is stock, including ecotourism value. a low-costi easily deployable She said the technology can method and mitigates water pol- be used to save lake and rivers, lution. You will not spend more especially in tourism sites where than P200 a month for a small people flock. household,' she said. "Without a septic tank, the According to Palencia, household wastewater goes di- the Eco-Sep can he modified rectly into the lakes or rivers. So to enhance its capacity and does the water from restaurants lengthen its life span from 10 and resorts near it," she said. years to 50 years, depending This, Palencia said, spells on the materials used. But problems, as water pollution can the magic lies on the special compromise valuable freshwa- minerals, which she discov- ter resource which is now being ered and developed as a natu- experienced in various parts of ral water treatment mineral the country. to neutralize odor in water. STRATEGIC PPER PAGE! BANNER WITORIAl CARTOON COMMUNICATION k) STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAG LOWER SERVICE 25 AUG 1019 PAGE 1/

FISH PEN, CAGE PERMITS COA FLAGS LLDA FOR FAILURE TO COLLECT PROM IN FEES

By Patricia Denise M. Chiu DA is required to collect P6,000 port that the low turnout of dered to harvest their fish @PDMChiuINQ per hectare covered by fish payment of fees ould be at- stocks by March 2017, and no pens, and 134,200 per hectare oc- tributed to the lapSes and defi- new stocking of fingerlings The Laguna Lake Development cupied by fish cages. ciencies in collection proce- would be allowed. Authority (LLDA) has failed to If the fees are uncollected, dures after the LLDA lifted a However, four months into collect some P29.46 million in the agency withholds the is- 2017 moratorium on aquacul- the moratorium, on June 7,2017, required fees in 2018 from oper- suance of annual permits. ture operations. the moratorium was lifted, ators of fish pens and fish cages "In 2018, it appears that the with the LLDA Board amending in Laguna Lake, according to the delinquent operators are con- One-year motatorium the previous resolution, limit- Commission on Audit (COA). tinuously operating even with- The COA explained that in ing the operating permit only In its annual audit report, out valid Fish Pen Permit and February 2017, the government to compliant fish structure the COA said that of the 3,308 Fish Cage Permit. LLDA has no issued a one-year moratorium owners. fish cage and fish pen owners, available list of Delinquent Fish on fish culture op4rations in La- The amendment also put in only no or 3.3 percent paid their Pen/Fish Cage Operators," the guna Lake. place a policy that limits fish dues. report said. Under that moratorium, all cage or fish pen structures to 25 Under existing rules, the LL- The audit body said in its re- existing operatoFs were or- hectares. INQ

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China's online gambling problem

ith rapid economic prosperity has ers, and the full subsidy for college education. come the epidemic of online gambling In the meantime, the ubiquitous presence addiction that defies national borders. of Chinese Pogo workers in our neighborhoods W Recently, a spokesperson from the has fueled racial antagonism among long-time Chinese foreign ministry described this mala- residents. They demand answers to questions dy as "the most dangerous tumor in modern like: Who are these people, and what type of society." China has appealed to two of its work do they actually do? How do we know trusted allies in the Asean—Cambodia under that they were not sent here to spy? They note Hun Sen and the Philippines under Rodrigo the routines they keep: These Pogo workers de- Duterte—to ban all online casinos. Cambodia scend on the local convenience stores every promptly obliged. The Philippines, having morning and leave behind them a trail of trash. earlier suspended the issuance of new licens- They smoke and spit everywhere. es, promised to study the matter. These suspicions, and the highlighting of Given our problems with China, it would PUBLIC LIVES cultural differences that undergird them, only be easy to play deaf to its concerns about the RANDY DAVID exacerbate old racial prejudices. They take proliferation of Philippine-based online casi- away the public's focus on the more important nos. The state-run Philippine Amusement licenses to offshore gaming operators. issues of sovereignty and national self-respect and Gaming Corp. or Pagcor, which issues li- This opening led to the deluge of Mandarin- I see these young Chinese workers as vic- censes to Philippine offshore gaming opera- speaking young Chinese people who are re- tims virtually chained to computers like mod- tors (Pogos), can say that these online casinos cruited to work as online casino dealers or cus- ern slaves in galley ships. They cannot be very cater to all nationalities, and do not explicitly tomer relations assistants. Initially entering the different from our own young people in aspi- target Chinese citizens. country on tourist visas, usually given upon ar- ration. They all seek a way out of their stifling This is technically true. Casino operators rival, they later obtain special working permits. home environment. accept all internationally tradable currencies. The identities of operators, mostly from China, We have many valid issues against China. So long as money is deposited into a casino are protected by layers of proxy owners. They In our anger, we may often wish the worst for account, betting can instantly proceed. The will be the first to say that their Chinese clients the Chinese people. But profiting from the operators don't care where the money comes come from all over the world, and that possibly vices of other nations should never be a na- from or what passports the bettors carry. only a handful are from the mainland. tional policy. By all means, we should ban on- Money has no memory, and nowhere is this The increase in the number of Pogos from line gambling. In so doing, we may also earn more true than in a casino. December 2016, when the new policy was an- the right to ask for help in stemming the flow But, anyone who is not playing deaf or nounced, has been exponential. The rer t on of shabu from China to the Philippines. blind would at once know what China has long office buildings and condominium units shot In the mid-igth century, China was known: that at least half of all online casino up' overnight, a lifesaver for a sector that was severely emasculated by the infamous opium patrons are Chinese citizens. China, however, beginning to reel from the slowdown or the trade from which British and American mer- has no way of proving this. More importantly, business process outsourcing industry. Today, chants built a fabulous fortune in silver. it cannot dictate to another country what its there are at least 58 licensed Pogos. That figure Smuggled into China mainly from colonial In- policies on gambling should be. does not include fly-by-night operators. dia where poppies were grown, opium re- Long before Pagcor began issuing off- For a while, the government was content duced a large segment of the Chinese popula- shore gaming licenses, online casinos have to charge only for the license to operate. tion to stupor. When the Qing dynasty operated as locators in export-processing Then, the Bureau of Internal Revenue decided viceroy Lin Zexu, in an act of self-defense, zones, taking advantage of the minimal regU- it should collect taxes on the earnings of the raided the foreign warehouses, confiscating latory environment found in these places. tens of thousands of mostly Chinese employ- opium chests laden with more than a thou- One of the early ones that hosted online casi- ees in Philippine online casinos. sand tons of the substance, the British took no operations was the Cagayan Economic In 2018, Pogos paid P579 million in taxes. this as a provocation. The ensuing three-year Zone Authority. This picture changed almost In the first half of zoig, they turned over P789 Opium War led to China's humiliating defeat, overnight after President Duterte reversed million to public coffers. Pogos have become a and to a historic settlement that, among other his earlier pronouncement against online cash cow for a government that is hard- things, ceded Hong Kong to the British. gaming, by designating Pagcor as the sole au- pressed to find new revenue sources to, fund thority that would be responsible for issuing the salary increases of its soldiers and teach- [email protected]

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ENVIRONMENTAL CANCER HE frame of raging fires in Brazil's Amazon 670 million hectares of forest-60 In full throttle in their campaign to percent—and is home to more save the Amazon. rainforest is a stirring scene. This has species than anywhere in the world. The Amsterdamsheadquartered Tprompted scientists to warn that the fires Images and videos on social Greenpeate, which Is operational in :ould thrust a death-dealing blast to the worldwide media, seen here In the Philippines, 55 countries, has warned the Brazil have shown monstrous pinions government against slithering ight against . of smoke darting out from the to what It called a "threat to the greenery and winds-whipped lines climate equilibrium." The Gland, of fire leaving blackened waste Switzerland-based World Wildlife Brazil's space research center, 20 percent of the oxygen In the below. Fund itself has also warned that if he National Institute for Space Earth's atmosphere, Is considered The smoke has gone as far the Amazon burns to that legend iesearch, known by the wordplay Important in the fight against as Sao Paulo, 2,736 kilometers of no return, the rainforest could NPE, has recorded more than global warming due to Its ability to away. Images from the city, which become a dry grassland, no longer '4,000 fires so far this year, more absorb carbon from the air. hohors the Apostle, Saini Paul of livable by majority of its wildlife. han half in the Amazon region Brazil, the largest country In both Tarsus, showing the skyline In pitch "If this happens, instead of being —an 84 percent increase in the South America and Latin America darkness In mid afternoon, the sun a source of oxygen, it could start :omparative period in 2018, the with 8.5 million square kilometers eclipsed by smoke and ash. emitting carbon—the major driver iighest number since records and over 208 million people, is the Whether the fires seen worldwide of climate l change," according )egan in 2013. world's fifth largest country by area are wildfires or those directly to WWF. This would raise the The Amazon, often referred to and the fifth most populous. related to deforestation, we stand probability of what might well be is the planet's lungs for producing It has the biggest share of the behind environmentalists who are an environmental lung cancer.

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources 25 AUG STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE BMWa OASES NC H44.. P4474 NC 8494W DATE

SINA PCHLC President Lydia Bueno at FISPC chair Popoy Pagayon sa kasagsagan ng Social Responsi- bility Program 2019 sa Punduhan ng mga Dumagat, Sitio Suha, Norzagaray, Bulacan. PCHLC NAGTANIM, NAMIGAY NG TULONG SA RIGA DUMAGAT MULING tinahak ng mga opisyal at miyembro ng Pasay City Host Lions Club ang madulas. bako-bako, maputik at mataas na bundok ng Sierra Madre sa Norzagaray, Bulacan para maghatid ng tulong sa mga Katutubong Dumagat. Sa pangunguna ni PCHLC President Lydia Bueno, naghandog ng bigas, sardinas, noodles, hopia at iba pa ang mga lion bilang pakikiisa sa 4th Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative Outreach Program at kaarawan ni Mr. Popoy Pagayon ng FISPC. Kasama ni Pres. Buena sa naturang mga gawain ang iba pang rniyembro ng PCHLC na sina Fred Cabalbag, Rico Navarro, Jean Fernando, Rolando Gonzalo at Joy Mirador. Maliban sa PCHLC at FISPC, kabilang din sa mga grupong naghandog ng kanilang tulong sa mga Dumagat ang National Press Club of the Philippines, Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc., Sagip Kagutan, 8th IB ng Philippine Army, Reyes Haircutters at ilang indibidwal na sina Mico Abella, David Pagayos at Bimbo Duran. Nagpadala rin ng iba't ibang item si DOST Sec. Boy dela Pena, DOST RD Sancho .Mabborang, Armand Ca- nal, Jojo Patalinjug, Ma'am Dinky ng Plantex, Dr. RBH ng Prime Global, Mike Hortaleza ng Splash, Healing Galing at iba pa. Nagbigay rin ng may 300 piraso ng Soya Milk at Soya Ice Candy ang magsasakang reporter na si G. Mer Layson at 250 piraso ng tinapay naman mula sa Tinapa- yan ni Lucito Chavez: Matapos ang palatuntunan, sama-samang nagtanim ng ibatt ibang uri ng punongkahoy ang mga dumalo sa naturang programa. Matatandaang nagsagawa noong nakaraang Linggo ng tree planting at gift giving sa mga Dumagat ang PCHLC sa pakikipagtulungan ng DENR, REMATE Riders at Ban- tay Gubat sa Ipa Dam, Norzagaray, Bulacan.