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SMC Tullahan dredging to address Bulacan flooding, rehab SAN MIGUEL Corporation's (SMCs) Manila Bay under Secretary Roy P1-billion initiative to dredge and Cimatu, will be a success. expand the Tullahan river system will At the event, Ang showcased not only give the Manila Bay reha- new dredging equipment the bilitation project a major boost, but company bought from Japan, also help solve flooding in Bulacan. specifically for the project. This paves the way for building the Mg also addressed issues raised country's largest and most modem by groups opposed to its planned airport in the province. new $15-billion Manila Interna- Dubbed the Tullahan-Tinajeros tional Airport project to be built River System dredging project, the in Bulakan, Bulacan, some five project was launched yesterday by kilometers away from the site of SMC and the Department of Environ- the dredging ceremony. ment and Natural Resources (DENA) Mg said that as part of prepa- with local executives of , ratory work for the airport, the Malabon, Valenzuela and Bulacan at company had already hired expert the Navotas Centennial Park in Navo- foreign consultants to study the tas City, where the 36.4-km Tullahan flooding situation in Bulacan. river drains into Manila Bay. Mg emphasized that the new Keeping the river pollution- airport - a private endeavor with-pp free, SMC President and Chief government guarantees or subsidies Operating Officer Ramon Ang - can bring in as much as 30 million said, is critical to ensuring that the tourists and create many livelihood DENR's efforts to rehabilitate the opportunities for . STRATEGIC 1 PAGE BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INMATIVES „moon DERVICE 11.9 A LI I IS 5i UALITM MAR 0 1 2020

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SMC: Pagbaha sa 13ulacan huhupa sat Pill Tullahart river rehab Hindi lang makabubuti para sa reha- Inilarawan ni SMC president at chief Bulacan. bilitasyon ng Manila Bay ang P1 bilyong operating officer Ramon S. Ang ang Ayon kay Aug. kanilang lilinisin at Tullahan river project ng San Miguel Cor- Tullahan river bilang agusan ng tubig palalawalcin ang Tullahan river sa pama- poration (SMC) kundi malalci rin ang mula sa mga dam sa Angat at Ipo patungo magitan ng pagtanggal sa naipong mga maitutulong into upang malunasan ang sa Manila Bay basura dito at saka huhukayin pan luma- mga pagbaha sa lalawigan ng Bulacan. Subalit dahil sa polusyon na dulot ng lim upang maging maayos ang pag-agos Tinawag na Tullahan-Tinajeros River naipong mga basura, burak at mga ffi- ng tubig sa ilog. System dredging project, inilunsad Ito ka- gal na istraktura ay naging barado at Hinimok dm ni Mg ang mga opisyal makailan ng Department of Environment bumabaw ang flog. Kung Icaya't ttiwing ng lokal na pamahalaang nalcasasakop sa and Natural Resources (DENR) at SMC may bagyo o mthkas ang pag-ulan ay Tullahan river na kapag nalinis ang ilog kasama ang mga local executive sa Navo- binabaha ang mga mabababang lugar na ay siguraduhing mapananatili na ang tas, Malabon, Valenzuela at Bulacan. malapit sa lbllahan river, partikular ang kalinisan nito.

Sinimulan na ang Tullahan-Tinajeros river system dredging project ng Depart- ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at San Miguel Corporation (SMC) na bahagi ng Manila Bay rehabilitation program.

White sand beach sa Cagayan sasagipin Magkatuwang na isasalba ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) ang Nanga- ramoan Beach na matatagpuan sa Cagayan Valley. Ito ang napagIcasunduan sa Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) na nilag- daan nina DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu at CEZA Administrator at Chief Execu- tive Officer Raul Lambino na gmanap sa DENR Central Office sa Quezon City Aug Nangaramoan Beach ay matatagpuan sa bayan ng Santa Ma at sa- kop ng Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport na pinamamahalaan ng CEZA Kilala ang Nangaramoan Beach dahil sa pagkakaroon nito ng mali- nis na tubig at pinong buhangin na maaaring maikumpara sa Boracay Island. Noong Oktubre 2017 ay ipinasara ng CEZA, sa palcikipagtulungan ng DENR at lokal na pamahalaan ng Santa Ma, ang 500-meter long white sand beach dahil sa hindi pappad ng mga resort owner dito sa mga environmen- tal regulation at sanitation standard. Nakapaloob sa MOA na tutulungan ng DENR ang CEZA sa pagbuo ng Nangaramoan Comprehensive Area Development and Management Plan. (Riz Dominguez) STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE MEN MANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION PAGE I STORY INITIATIVES ri TOWER Nniggsmair SERVICE STA %HALL I•FirVAIL nun.. WIRE 01 2.02b PAGE I/ Gov't urged: I Stop cleared reclamation projects

By EMMANUEL TUPAS activities related to land reclama- prone to liquefaction, which could tion in Manila Bay must be put in result in the collapse of structures place," the SOS Coalition said in its built on it. President Duterte's directive position paper against reclamation Specific to airports, he noted the to stop reclamation activities projects in the Manila Bay. experience of the Kansai Airport in in Manila Bay should cover "The government has a clear di- Japan, where the government has projects that have already re- rective to rehabilitate and preserve spend millions to raise runways ceived clearances, such as the Manila Bay through the writ of and erect sea walls to address the problem of sinking. proposed airports in Cavite continuing mandamus issued by the The scientist said the reclama- and Bulacan, advocates and Supreme Court. Land reclamation directly contradicts that mandate," tion will have a significant impact experts said. it added. on the marine ecosystem in the Ma- The Save Our Shores Coalition nila Bay, including mangrove and Against Reclamation (sps Coali- Increased risks sea grass which scientists believe tion) welcomed the President's Geoscientist Narod Eco, a re- can significantly contribute to ad- recent pronouncement that he will searcher at the University of the dressing the climate crisis. not allow any reclamation activity Marine Science Insti- by the private sector in the Manila tute, warned of the increased disas- Protecting marine Bay during the remainder of his ter risks if reclamation projects will creatures term. be allowed to push through. Eco said over 140 species of The group, however, said the He noted the rising sea level marine animals were found in the ban should also cover those that caused by climate change, as well Area, including several species of have already secured clearances, as the vulnerability of Manila Bay ' sardines that are vital to the coun- either from local government units and its surrounding areas to flood, try's food security. or national government agencies. storm surges and tsunamis caused "Sardines are an important food "An explicit and unambiguous by earthquakes. and economic resource, both for policy that stops all proposals and Eco said reclaimed lands are our domestic and international

trade. It provides jobs to millions of people, from catching, process- ing and selling the fish and their products," said the SOS Coalition. "Needless to say, if the sardine population crashes, all species higher up the food chain - includ- ing humans - will be affected. As it is, our seas are already over- fished. It is therefore incumbent that we protect this vital source," it added. The group called on the govern- ment to declare Manila Bay as a fisheries management area, with an ecosystem-based framework put in place and strictly enforced. "Past experience have shown that fish stocks recover and mul- tiply not only within a protected area, but in surrounding waters as well," it said. "This means that not only com- munities around Manila Bay will benefit, but also those around the West Philippine Sea," added the coalition. L7 I I I HI n • A,„ I PAIllorP 11111 PRIA AF 0,NIA1111411 I IIlr.I 1101,1 51,,F1 •••••••00"."". 111111,111\q ., , Air Irmo? !II 1 'Ii F. i.lvelt hit. Atd x WR 0 1 '2020

Law banning single-use plastics pressed "TIME to pass a law banning single-use plastics." The plastic products covered by the prohibition are House Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido cups less than 02 millimeter in thickness, drinking straws, Abante Jr. made the call as he lauded the national coffee stirrers, spoons, forks, knives, "labo" or thin and government for leading in banning plastics use. translucent plastic bags, and thin-filmed sando bags The National Solid Waste Management Commission lower than 15 microns. (NSWMC) issued a resolution banning the use of single- "This is a step in the right direction and,! believe, a use plastics in all government offices. signal to those of us in Congress to pass a law to prohibit Abante said this only means the need to pass a law to the use of single-use plastics in our country," Abante, the permanently prohibitthe manufacture, importation, sale, author of House Bill No. 3773 or the "Single-use Plastic and use of single-use plastic products in the country. Product Ban of 2019." Theveteransolon filed House Bill 3773 or the Single- Under the proposal, which is pending in the House, the use Plastic Product Ban of 2019. manufacture, importation, sale, and use of all single-use NSWMC Chair Departmentoffinvironment and Natu- products is prohibited. ralResources(DENR)SecretaryRoyCitnatusignedNSWMC The measure defines single-use plastic as "disposable Resolution No. 1363, Series of 2020 on February 12. plasticproducts whichare commordy usedforpadcaging , The issuance directs the DENR to prepare and imple- and include itemsto be used only once that are thrown 1 ment the ban on the use of unnecessary single-use plastic away or recycled." productsbynational governmentagencies, local govern- Examples of these products are grocery bags, food 1 ment units (LGUs), and all other government-controlled packaging containers and bags, water bottles, straws, offices stirrers, styrofoam, cups, sachets, and plastic cutlery. The Philippines produces 2.7 million metric tons of plastic each year and is estimated to have the 3rd highest [)[NR, CEZ si rate of mismanaged plastic waste in the world. "This can be attributed to the fact that ours is what is to protect bea called a 'sachet economy,' meaning we buy many prod- ucts in small quantities," the solon said. in CagayanValleyt ey:cg,," Jester Manalastas Department itif Envivoninen And DEN1 0 sifPied ail agreement With Vie an retina/VIC Zone Authority (CEPA) to ensure the piotecrnn and susbiriabilitv of Nangaramoau Beach Van Valley province, 101 SerreMry Roy 'ma tu in mien-lent with CEZA administudor ve Officer Raul ldmbino at the fiEPIR re irt QC. ertheMOA the Nangaramoan Concrehensive Area rkvekyrnc.int and Management Plan, —thiswiliensuretheprotectioneftheowironmexItin thrill-ea and thesuidairtabledecelopment of Nangamai no- ati Bradt This is the biggest substance of dii5 MOA," Nang,aranittian Beach, Incited in thc town of Santa Ana, isfairmiis torlUpristine ivaiers- iimaidt-ry iticompariibletotheworld-iptiowried Joel deti Torre

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Single-use plas lc bags banned in NY "upset" because they use paper bag tee mandatory By Peter flee plastic bags as gar- to force customers to bring utchison bage bags. their own carriers, noting FINES thatproducingpaper bags NEW YORK Consum- NewYorkteressome23 is intensive in terms of oil, erist mecca New York tab billion plastic bags every fossil fuels and trees used. throwaway cul- year, accosting to the state TIVEWITH fir s weekend with a government. 'ideally neither bag is on single use plastic About 65 percent are preferable," she told APP. that has been years thrownaway,endingupin "Behavior is slower to e making and is still landfills,andonstmeSand change whenpeople know America. beaches, it says. they can get a free paper evi' Yorkers like to see After several failed at- bag." lvesat the foretront tempts, lawmakers finally Greg Biryla, New York of efforts to save the envi- approved the ban in April state director at the Na- ronment but are used to 2019. tional federation of Inde- receiving groceries in tree It bars all retailers who pendent Business, says al- plasticbap,oftendoubled pay state taxes - such as ternatives can cost up to : up to ensure sturdiness. department stores, super- seven times more than plas- On Sunday, that will markets, neighborhood tic bags. change when New York corner stores and gas sta- "They are proportion- becomes only the third US tions from puovidingplas- ally more burdensome on state to outlaw the nom tic bags to costumers. small businesses who biodegradable sacks Violators can expect aren't ordering in as big a blamed forcholdng rivers, fines of up to $500, al- quantity as their big busi- littering neighborhoods though officials have said negscounteiparts," he told and suffocating wildlife. they wiligive stores time to APP. Environmentalactisists adapt to the new rules. California and Oregon welcome the new law but The ban will "protect havestatewidebansofplas- caution that exemptions our natural resources Mr tic bags while Hawaii has a willweakenitsetiect,while future generations," said de facto ban. some small businesses Governor Andrew Cuomo FourotherstateshavebaHs 'tarry the ban might nega- when heannounced the leg- startingsnonwhilellmashas web' impart their profits. islation last year. preventeditscitiesfromout- AttheWestsideMarket The law allows New Hwing plastic bags. anhattan,66-yearsold York city and counties to New York is viewed as iceVrana,whosaysshe levy a five-cent tax on pa- one of the most innovative shopping with a per bags, with part of the cities in the world, but on sable cloth bag for a resultingrevenuegoing to the issue of plastic it has decade, is delighted "per- an environmental protec- some catching up to do vasive" plastic sacks are tion fund. internationally. beingbanished, KateKurera,depuhrdi- Ubiquitous across the "You could drive over rector of Environmental Big Apple are single-use etrifithltimeswitha Mack Advocates of New York, las& utensiLssuchascut- ruck and they probably says the ban will cause ery, straws and stirrers, uldn't break down. tremendous :reduction" in which European Union itatever little I can do, ! plastic waste pollution. countries have voted to do," she told APP. She laments, however, outlaw by next year. Janine Franciosa, a 38- that food takeouts,beloved New York's older resi- who works in ad- by thecity's 8.6 millionth- dentsnotethatplasticbags 1 it is great habitants, are exempt only became available in Other exemptions in- US grocery stores in 1979, howthei cludebags forprescription signalinghowquicklyhab- ay purchases are an drugs plastiewrappingfcir its can change. theen newspapers delivered to "When was growing Butnotevervuneisi subscribersandbagsused up we brought our own Solely for non prepackaged bags," shopper Denise et man- food sue h as meat and fish. Shaleaon told AFP,adding :in told Kurera wishes the gov- of thebare"The New York- AFPso tomers we rnment would make the er 1 ve to vewithit!" STRATEGIC El PAGE 1 TANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 3 STORY STORY ta INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER MITVICT

OR OT 1 2020

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tditoryal Bawal na ang plastic sa mga tan ggapan ng gobyerno

TNATASAN ng National Solid Waste Management J.Commission (NSWIVIC) sa bisa ng isang resolusyon ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na i-implement ang pagbabawal sa paggamit ng plastics sa mga tanggapan ng pamahaban. Kabilang sa mga ibabawal ay ang plastic cups, drinking straws, coffee stirrers at mga disposable na kutsara, thtidor at kutsilyo. Pinaplantsa na ng DENR kung kailan ipatu- tupad ang kautusan. Magandang hakbang ito para mabawasan at mawala nang tuluyan ang plastic sa buhay ng mga Pilipino. Marami na ang nakaaalam sa masamang dulot ng single-use plastics o disposable plastics. Problema ang plastic pollution kaya nararapat na itong ipagbawal. Kung hindi ito sosolusyunan, malubbang problema ang

kahaharapin ng maniamayan. Ayon sa survey ng Social Weather Stations (SWS) 7 sa bawat 10 Pilipino ang gustong ipagbawal na ang pag- gamit ng plastics. ICabilang sa mga plastic na gustong ipagbawal ay ang tinatawag na sande bags, plastic straws at stirrers, plastic labo bags, styrofoam containers, sachets, tetra pack ng juices, plastic na baso, kutsara, tinidor, botelya ng juice at tubig. Ayon pa sa survey, 59.8 bilyong piraso ng plastic sachets at 17 bilyon na shopping bags ang ginagamit sa bansa taun-taon at ang mga ito ay humahantong sa raga estero, ilog at dagat.Ang Filipinas ay pang-apat sa mga bansa sa Asia na malakas magtapon ng alga basurang plastic sa karagatan. Noong nakaraang taon, nagpahiwatig si President Duterte na balak niyang ipagbawal wig paggamit ng plastic sa buong bansa. Nabanggit niya ito sa Cabinet meeting at maaaring lagdaan niya ang isang kautusan ukol dito. Maganda ang naisip na ito ng Presidente at nararapat niyang italoy para makalaya sa plastic ang mga Pinoy. Hindi lamang ang kapaligiran ang nasisira dahil sa paggamit ng plastic. Maski ang mga lamandagat o mga isda ay napipinsala at namamatay. Rang whale shark na ang sumadsad sa dabmpasigan at patty na. Nang buksan ang tiyan, nadiskubre ang maraming plastic na ldnain nito na naging dahilan ng pagkamatay. Ipagpatuloy ang paglaban sa plastic. Iligtas ang bansa sa lab pang pagkasira. .4A STRATEGIC THE 1-'HILIPPINE 6 BANNER EOITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION PAGES STORY

INITIATIVES PAGE mmmor .mieor SERVICE STA ---- ritiltVaiii. MARTE 0 1. 2020 PAGE I/ DA

POSTSCRIPT Some environmentalist groups nave suggested FEDERICO D. PASCUAL Jr. refilling stations, or a revival of those times when one —11 bought soft drinks from the corner store while paying a "deposito" for the bottle refundable upon its return to the store. When death comes We have seen variations of having consumers bring containers or receptacles to stores where they are refilled. in plastic packaging It is difficult to justify this messy handling of food prod- ucts since the level of hygiene will be as hard to control EEING the filth poisoning as in buying food in open containers. our rivers and the trash be- ing heaved back to us by the Legislation sought to reduce use of plastic S PLASTIC has proven its usefulness and versatility but grumbling sea, one wonders if we could still learn to respect nature it poses a threat to the environment after its use. Is there and coexist in a balanced ecosys- a way to exploit the benefits of plastic, and yet prevent tem. its harming the environment after use? The Philippines has been men- A number of countries have tried implementing a • tioned as one of the big contributors solution called "Extended Producer Responsibility." The to the garbage clogging streams principle of EPR is simple: and polluting the oceans, most of The producers and importers of plastic products, it traceable to ill-managed dump sites and to the non- mainly plastic packaging, will collect the plastic waste biodegradable packaging thrown by consumers. after the products are used. The volume each manufac- Much of the trash collected here and there is plastic turer will collect will be proportionate to the amount waste, including sachets, candy wrappers, plastic bottles of plastic it has sold to the public. The collection target and bags. Mostly discarded without systematic sorting, will progressively increase until the amount of plastic both recyclable and non-recyclable plastic end up as collected will be at least equal to the amount sold. major pollutants of the environment. The cost of collection will be borne by the producers of The Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) has been plastic, under the "producer pays" principle. Producers with us for nearly twuclecades, but the public and pri- that are too small to set up a collection system can engage vate sectors have failed to use this law to clean up and another operation called a "Producer Responsibility reinvigorate the environment. Organization" to collect their plastic waste. Plastic is the most commonly used material for Under the PRO scheme, no plastic packaging material packaging, especially by the food and pharmaceutical will be exempt. With all producers of plastic covered by industries, because it is cheap, durable and lightweight. the law, theoretically, all the plastic produced will be It maintains the integrity of the contents and makes the taken out of the environment. products affordable to mass consumers. Moreover, producers seeking to avoid the cost of The demand for cheaper products has led to the use collection will have a reason to seek cheap alternatives of single-serve packets and the rise of a sachet retail to plastic. The producer that resorts to an alternative market. Witness vendors peddling cigarettes by the stick, material would thus gain a competitive advantage. drinking water in small bottles, candies by the piece, and The plastic collected can now be put to use again. The corner stores selling myriad items in sachets. abundance of raw material will encourage recyclers to The law has not singled out plastic as being "non- use the plastic to make new packaging materials or to environmentally acceptable," but in all its forms (sachets, use the plastic to manufacture other products. bottles, straws, etc.), whether recyclable or not, plastic For example, we hav,p seen waste plastic used to ends up as a key culprit in littering and polluting the make school chairs, eco-bricks, and even to lay out roads environment. and pavements. Waste plastic is now also used by the There are over 30 bills in the Congress, most of them cement industry as an alternative fuel to coal. There is seeking to solve or minimize plastic pollution by ban- also a potential to use waste plastic for waste-to-energy ning or phasing out "single use plastic," or SUP. The purposes. Japan, for example, generates a significant term "SUP" could be misleading as it seems to assume amount of electricity from plastic waste. that plastic used multiple times, such as thick plastic A bill mandating the adoption of EPR (House Bill bags, will not pollute (they do!) the environment when No. 6279) has been filed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. Authors of bills banning or phasing out thrown away. While a ban or phase-out scheme addresses plastic plastic and producers of plastic may want to study his pollution, it may not solve the practical problems that bill and see a possible consolidation of approaches to minimal use of plastic containers inflict on consumers the common problem. in the lowest income brackets. Our initial reading of the bill shows that it could be Why not use other kinds of packaging or containers? a win for nature, as plastic will be taken out of the en- Alternatives to plastic, such as glass and metal are more vironment — as it is also a win for producers, who will expensive, sometimes unwieldy. But the use of glass or still be allowed to use plastic but with incentives to use less, or none at all. metal containers pushes prices beyond the reach of the * * * poor. Using paper for sachets gives rise to other problems. Nota Bene: All Postscripts can be accessed at ma- The very quality that makes paper biodegradable also nilamail.com . Follow author on Twitter as @FDPascual. makes products in paper packaging susceptible to con- Email feedback to [email protected] tamination and shortens their shelf life while exposing consumers to health risks. Supposedly biodegradable plastics do not readily decay, but often require industrial intervention to truly degrade. In the meantime, they pollute the environment even in their deceptively smaller physical forms. STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE elia UPPER BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 131 PAGE I MOM INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SE.RVICE stritairt• ra tbliALL, manettn. MAR 0 1 202° DATE lint PAGE'!

World-class facility Officials pointed out that unlike other landfill sites, the and other areas in the country which wastes being delivered to 's main disposal have yet to find a sustainable solution to the problem of facility guarantees safety and protection of the environ- solid waste disposal, can learn a thtirg or two from Clark ment." and Subic as well as other areas in . But from mere landfill, the Clark Integrated Facility Both Clark and Subic freeports and over 100 cities and operated by MCWMC is also moving to high-technology municipalities in Central and Northern Luzon are being recycling and renewable energy generation. Colayco said now served by a world-class sanitary landfill facility that the company is set to build facilities for renewable which is both environment and eco-friendly. energy generation out of collected garbage and waste This ISO-certified waste disposal site is of course the within next year, saying that their waste-to-energy facili- complete opposite of many un- ties will bring waste to the next level and help ensure that HIDDEN sanitary and illegal dumpsites as the company will be ready to accommodate the projected well as open dumpsites which are volume of waste to be generated by cities and municipali- AGENDA now the subject of an intensified ties in the Central and Northern Luzon region. hunt by the Department of Envi- As planned, the company will develop an advance ronment and Natural Resources. centralized recycling facility at the waste management Over the past decade and since center where materials will be segregated for recycling it started actual operations, Metro and processing into secondary fuel. The secondary fuel Clark Waste Management Corp. will then be used as the primary feed stock for a second- has put a premium on environ- ary fuel CHP which will generate up to 35 megawatts of MARY ANN mentally safe and efficient waste electrical renewable energy for the New Clark City. LL. REYES disposal,' which is one of the rea- The move will reduce the amount of residual waste WAVAA, sons why it was able to secure at the landfill by 70 percent, extending the lifespan of triple-ISO certificates, making it system for at least 50 years and reducing the emission of one of the very few if not the only sanitary landfill to have landfill leachate and landfill gas by virtually eliminating such distinction. the disposal of organic waste in the landfill. And soon, other areas will benefit from its operation Colayco said that MCWMC is tran. sforming waste to as the country's first high technology sanitary landfill usable energy and generating auspicious possibilities for goes full steam and as it sets it sights to cater to a larger the generations to come as it could guarantee secured market starting early this year, according to Holger Hoist and sustainable waste management solution for Central and Rub Colayco, founder and president respectively Luzon for more decades to come. of MCWMC, during a press briefing at its main landfill MCWMC is a joint venture of Filipino and German facilities in Sitio Kalangitan, , . investors (BN Ingenuire GmbH and Heers & Brocicstedeth Armed with world-class German technology, the Umwelttechnik GmbH. Its main facility is built based on Tarlac-based lone ISO-certified engineered sanitary land- internationally accepted standards which substantially fill currently caters to more than 100 local government exceed the Philippines' sanitary landfill standards as units in including two of the country's stipulated under Republic 9003 or the Ecological Waste major economic zones including its respective locators Management Act of 2000. and residents — the Clark and Subic Freeports based in According to officials, the company has already in- and Zambales respectively. vested hundreds of millions of pesos to put up the facility According to company officials, the volume of garbage including critical infrastructure projects such as roads and wastes currently being handled by Metro Clark's leading to and from the main facilities, among others. 100-hectare facility in Tarlac has substantially increased The landfill integrates cutting edge technology and from 1,600 tons in 2018 to 3,000 tons. highly-advanced engineering to control the poisonous gas Among its biggest customers are the cities of Caba- and foul smelling liquid produced by decaying wastes. natuan in Nueva Ecija, Angeles in Parnpanga and Tarlac The wastes delivered and disposed to the site undergo City in Tarlac province. a meticulous process to guarantee safety and protection Company officials said that while they are currently to the environment. catering to a few LGUs in Northern Luzon that includes MCWMC's German partners have over 30 years Pangasinan, La Union, and Baguio City, they see positive experience in local solid waste management business developments and opportunities to cater to the landfill and have installed worldwide more than 2,500 MW in requirements and to provide disposal services to Bulacan .renewable energies (wind, waste, solar). It has gained 60 and Metro Manila. years international experience in waste management and Of the 100 hectare Kalangitan Sanitary landfill, 70 environmental engineering. hectares are dedicated for the landfil and 10 hectares For comments, e-mail at [email protected] for recycling facilities while 15 hectares are set aside as environmental buffer and five hectares for offices and other uses. The landfill integrates cutting-edge technology and highly advanced engineering to control and totally miti- gate any possible pollutants such as poisonous gas and foul-smelling liquids produced by decaying wastes. STRATEGIC 1111 1,c1 11111 1=.-1 -7,1 Orril Iwyt I IIANntlI Elni010Al CARTOuli COMMUNICATIIIN cum). SIMI 'WUXI IVES s .111111111111„soisoisr01TOW FAME Standard MAR 0 1 2020 DATE

DENR, CEZA TEAM UP TO PROTECT CAGAYAN'S TOURIST SPOTS

THE Department of Environment and the 500-meter-long white sand beach be the instrument to develop the area Natural Resources and the Cagay- for failure of operators to comply with with the permission of the DENR, and an Economic Zone Authority have environmental regulations and sanita- we are thankful for their support:Lam- pledged to protect Nangaramoan tion standards. bino added. Beach which is famous for its white Under the MOA, the DENR will help Meanwhile, Cimatu advised the sand. CEZA in crafting the Nangaramoan CEZA to require resort operators to The two agencies signed a memo- Comprehensive Area Development build their own sewage treatment randum of agreement as a first step and Management Plan. plants and to strictly implement to the crafting of a protection plan for "This will ensure the protection of the 20-meter shoreline easement beach. the environment in the area and the rule. DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and sustainable development of Nanga- Cimatu said that it must be clear CEZA Administrator and Chief Execu- ramoan Beach. This is the biggest sub- to the operators that structures en- tive Officer Raul Lambino signed the stance of this MON' Cimatu said. croaching into the easement are MOA last Feb. 18 at the DENR Central Lambino, for his part, said that CEZA considered illegal and must be de- Office in Quezon City. will rely on the technical inputs of the molished. Nangaramoan Beach is famous for DENR in the development of the plan The DENR chief also warned against its pristine waters and white powdery which, according to him, would serve cutting down trees found within for- sand comparable to the world-re- as "the blueprint to ensure the preser- estlands as these are protected by the nowned Boracay Island. It is located in vation of the natural resources, biodi- country's forestry law. the town of Santa Ana, which is within versity and cultural heritage of Nanga- In 2013, CNN Travel named the the Cagayan Special Economic Zone ramoan Beach:" beaches of Santa Ana and in nearby and Freeport that is managed and su- He also said that the DENR-CEZA Palaui Island as among the best In pervised by CEZA. partnership would benefit "not just the world These beaches became the In October 2017, CEZA—in coor- the tourists, but more importantly the shooting locations of two seasons of dination with the DENR and the local stakeholders." the US reality TV series "Survivor in government of Santa Ana—shut down "CEZA recognizes that this MOA will 2014. Maricel V. Cruz STRATEGIC UPP PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMITIVICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE SERVICE NEWS IN A FLASH 1'10.00 MAR 0 1 2020 TIRE : PAGE I/ DATE

Special Economic Zone and Freeport DENR seeks to protect that is managed and supervised by CEZA. Cagayan's white beach Lambino said CEZA will rely on the technical inputs of the DENR in the By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ ecutive officer Raul Lambino for the development of the management crafting of the Nangaramoan Com- plan that will benefit not just tourists, The DepaIbritlit of Environment prehensive Area Development and but also stakeholders. and Natural Resources (DENR) Management Plan. Cimatu advised CEZA to require and the Cagayan Economic Zone 'This will ensure the protection resort operators to build their own Authority (CEZA) will be crafting a of the environment in the area and sewage treatment plants and, strictly comprehensive management plan the sustainable development of Nan- implement the 20-meter shoreline to ensure the protection and sus- garamoan Beach. This is the biggest easement rule. tainability of Nangaramoan Beach substance of this MOA," Cimatu said. It must be clear to the operators in Cagayan. Nangaramoan Beach is famous for that structures encroaching into the A memorandum of agreement its pristine waters and white powdery easement are considered illegal and (MOA) was signed last Feb. 18 by sand comparable to the Boracay Is- must be demolished, the DENR chief DENR Secretary Roy amatu and land. It is located in the town of San- said. He also wamed against cutting CEZA Administrator and chief ex- ta Ana, which is within the Cagayan down trees within the forestlands.

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Mir MARIA 2020 Tourism Is Up

The best industry players in the Philippines named at the 16th Rotary Club of Manila Tourism Awards 'It is one sector of our economy that deserves the plaudits of the ourism plays a major role in ac- country, where revenue stream celerating a country's economic has risen every year since 1987.' development, brand value, and image, but a landscape is just a Lifestyle for Print Media Category; Ariel Tpicture without its preservers—proactive Abriam, owner and managing direc - individuals who bridge the gap between tor of Ariel's Point for Resort Category; the Philippines and Bernd Schneider, cluster representative our strong relations of Raffles Hotels and Resorts and Fair- with foreign coun- mont Makati for Hotel Category; Hanky tries, even small- Lee III of Henry Hotel for Heritage Home scale job-generat- Category; Salah Al Balushi, EVP of sup- ing hoteliers, and ply chain management at Oman Aviation media men who Group for Air Transport Category; Radjie act as vanguards Caram Jr., founding chairman and CEO in making sure that of Island Living Channel for Philippines' our country's des- VIANCA GAMBOA Largest Lifestyle and Travel Channel tinations, plans, Category; Felipe Gozon, chairman and developments, and Inc. for TV Media CEO of GMA Network, even alarming news at a time of a global Category; Lala Ventura-Lazaro, head r f outbreak never go unnoticed. Metro Channel for Blogger Media Cat- At its loth Tourism Awarcic , the Rotazy egory; Hon. Sol Aragones, representative Club of Manila recently hailed 16 out- of Third District of Laguna for Legislative standing individuals ".who.. gave their Media Category; Edgar Saavedra, chair- utmost services to promote and develop man of Megawide Construction for Hotel, tourism industry here and abroad," said Airport, and Resort Construction Cat- RCM president-elect and concurrent egory; Francisco Mauricio, president and chair of Tourism Awards committee COO of Avis Rent-A-Car International- Bobby Joseph, over a luncheon ceremony Guevent Transport Holdings for Land at the New World Hotel Makati. Transportation Category; Justice Lazar°, Aside from promoting goodwill and chairman of Tiger Resort Leisure Enter- humanitarian efforts among professional tainment, Inc. for MICE Category; Sec. leaders in the country, the Rotary Club Eduardo Alio of Department of Interior of Manila has made its mark as a pres- and Local Government for Environment tigious award-giving body that honors Category; Leo Rey Yanson, president of outstanding individuals in a soaring Ceres Liner for Land Transportation Cat-Cat- field, like tourism. "It is one sector of egory; Ramon Ang, vice chairman, presi- our economy that deserves the plaudits dent, and COO of San Miguel Corpora- of the country, where revenue stream has don for National Infrastructure Category; risen every year since 1987," said RCM and Sec. Roy Cimatu of Department of president Jackie Rodriguez. Members of Environment and Natural Resources for the award committee who organized the Environment Category. event included co-chair and past presi- It was also the perfect time for Sec. dent Francis Juico; past district governor Cimatu to convene these tourism play- Vince Carlos; past vice president Chito ers and discuss about the status and Zaldarriaga; past president Frank Eva- upcoming development plans of DENR risto; and director Amading Valdez. in partnership with RCM, including the The list of awardees included: our cleanup of Manila Bay and Quezon City very own Krizette Chu, associate edi- waterways, and other marine and coastal Manila Bulletin tor and travel editor of ecosystems management programs.

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AWAY FROM THROWAWAY CULTURE NY BANS SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS

NEW YORK—Consumerist mec- atively impact their profits. 23, bil- ca New York targets its throw- New York uses some away culture this weekend with lion plastic bags every year, ac- a ban on single-use plastic bags cording to the state government. that has been years in the making About 85 percent are thrown and is still rare in America. • away, ending up in landfills, and New Yorkers like to see on streets and beaches, it says. themselves at the forefront of After several failed attempts, efforts to save the environment lawmakers finally approved the but are used to receiving gro- ban in April 2019. ceries in free plastic bags, often Violators can expect fines of doubled up to ensure sturdiness. up to $500. The law allows New York City and counties to levy a On Sunday, that will change when New York becomes only the. 5-cent tax oripaper bags, with part third US state to outlaw the non- of the resulting revenue going to biodegradable sacks blamed for an environmental protection fund. choking rivers, littering neighbor- California and Oregon have hoods and suffocating wildlife. statewide bans of plastic bags Environmental activists wel- while Hawaii has a de facto ban. come the new law but caution Four other states have bans that exemptions will weaken its starting soon while Texas has effect, while some small busi- prevented its cities from out- nesses worry the ban might neg- lawing plastic bags. —APP

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DATE MIT : PACE I/ Not a decade to spare for climate action otsdam—The last decade was the hottest transformational decisions regarding biodi- on record, according to independent data versity loss, climate change, and the state of analyses from Nasa and the US National WORLD VIEW our oceans. Demand for action is also growing. pOceanic and Atmospheric Administration. JOHAN ROCKSTROM, LARS HEIKENSTEN, In the past few weeks, prominent global busi- The reality of climate change is sinking in, with AND MARCIA MCNUTT ness leaders have pledged to make sustain- millions now feeling its effects—from rising ability a top priority in their investment deci- sea levels and disappearing coastlines to more climate change, but will also reduce inequali- sions. And in many parts of the world, young frequent extreme weather such as droughts, ty, lift people out of poverty, and build trust in climate activists are drawing the world's at- floods, and wildfires. Indeed, given current at- international cooperation. We must find ways tention through rolling school strikes. mospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to harness the best that technology has to of- Amid this flurry of activity, the Nobel and the projected trajectory of future emis- fer while anticipating and mitigating potential Prize Summit will provide the space to pro- sions, more record temperatures are inevitable. harms. And we can ill afford another decade of pose real-world solutions grounded in sci- Scientists have been sounding the alarm inaction—the consequences are far too high. ence and evidence. The summit will create for decades that climate change is real and get- This is why the Nobel Foundation is host- a new platform for scientists, policymakers, ting worse. As the adverse effects of unabated ing it first-ever Nobel Prize Summit, with the business leaders, and civil-society groups to emissions keep mounting, the alarm is becom- theme "Our Planet, Our Future," in Washing- meet and share ideas. ing deafening. But at the same time, other cur- ton, from April 29 to May i. The summit—sup- Today's leaders must not bequeath a dan- rent realities cannot be ignored. The imminent ported by the US National Academy of Scienc- gerously destabilized planet to future genera- threat posed by climate change is coinciding es, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact tions, and we will be placing special emphasis with shifts in longstanding geopolitical allianc- Research, and the Stockholm Resilience Cen- on engagement with today's young people. But es; continuing economic inequality, which is tre/Beijer Institute—will bring together more we all have a shared responsibility to make fueling social unrest in many countries; and the than zo Nobel laureates and other experts this a better world. If we start now, this decade advent of artificial intelligence, big data, and a from around the world to explore the ques- can become the turning point that puts us on constant stream of new technologies, which tion: What can be achieved in this decade to course toward a more vibrant, viable, and eq- are transforming the way we live and work— put the world on a path to a more sustainable, uitable future for humanity. Project Syndicate with both positive and negative consequences. more prosperous future for all of humanity? The challenges are daunting. But it is not The summit takes place at a pivotal mo- Johan Rockstrom is director of the Potsdam too late to chart a different course for our planet ment This year, the United Nations launch- Institute for Climate Impact Research. Lars and its inhabitants. We need to put the world's es the Decade of Action toward achieving Heikensten is executive director of the No- best minds to work now on finding solutions its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. bel Foundation. Marcia McNutt is president that will not only help us mitigate and adapt to Countries around the world will be making of the US National Academy of Sciences.

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Indoor air pollution is also a risk in the Philip- pines, with most cooking in urban poor and rural EDITORIAL areas done using kerosene or solid fuels such as wood or coal. Deaths among women and kids have been linked to indoor air pollution. The air pollutants we inhale are composed of particulate matter (PM), a mixture of solid parti- cles or liquid droplets in the atmosphere that in- cludes water, dust and salt particles. PM2.5, which Silent killer the IQAir measures, is a particulate matter that ears of COVID-19 may have compelled most - has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, or just of us to wear face masks, but there's an- 3 percent of the diameter of a human hair. In high other crucial reason why we should keep levels, fine particulate matter can reduce visibili- them on: A recent report has indicated that ty. Worse, it is so tiny it can easily travel deep into Filipinos are breathing dirty, unsafe air. one's bloodstream through the respiratory tract, According to the 2019 World Air Quality leading to such ailments as asthma, heart disease, Report compiled by Swiss-based compa- and lung cancer. ny IQAir from ground-based monitoring The Philippines ranked third in terms of the high- stations around the globe, the Philippines' est cases of death due to air pollution, according to IFannual mean for PM2.5—a pollutant wide- a May 2018 report by the WHO; that translates to ly regarded as most harmful to human health—was around 45.3 deaths per too,000 Filipinos due to air pegged at 17 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) last pollution. China ranked first, with 81.5 deaths,. fol- year. This is almost double the safe level set by the lowed by Mongolia, with 48.8. World Health Organization (WHO), which placed the The IQAir report meanwhile indicated that, glob- exposure threshold at to ug/m3. ally, PM2.5 pollution accounts for 29 percent of all While IQAir considers the country's air pollution deaths and disease from lung cancer, 24 percent of all level as "moderate" based on the United States Air deaths from stroke, and 43 percent of all deaths and disease from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Quality Index (US AQI), the health recommendation for such level is for sensitive individuals to avoid "While the new coronavirus is dominating inter- outdoor activity as "they may experience respiratory national headlines, a silent killer is contributing to symptoms." nearly 7 million more deaths a year: air pollution," Globally, the Philippines ranked 57th out of 98 said IQAir CEO Frank Hammes in a statement. countries in terms of average PM2.5 concentration Local environmental groups are calling on the last year. Indonesia topped the list in Southeast Asia, government to take immediate steps to improve the with an annual mean of 51.7 ug/m3, followed by Viet- country's air quality, noting that the report looked nam (34.1 ug/m3), and Myanmar (31 ug/m3). only at PM2.5 pollution, and "does not include other Among the factors cited behind the unsafe air pollutants such as sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide, ozone levels are the burning of toxic waste, pollution and and other contaminants that carry deleterious health heat-trapping carbon emissions from the manufac- risks." A recent report by Greenpeace Southeast Asia turing and agricultural sectors, as well as rapid urban- estimates that "toxic emissions can cost Filipinos as ization, which has resulted in the inordinate number much as a 1.9 percent loss of gross domestic product of motor vehicles running on fossil fuels. and 27,000 premature deaths." According to the Land Transportation Office, as It is yet another health crisis the country can ill of August 2o19, the National Capital Region, which afford. As suggested by local green groups, it's time includes Metro Manila, accounted for the largest for the government to review and update the Clean number of registered motor vehicles at 1,644,932. Air Act of 1999, and implement long-term programs Coming second is its neighboring Region IV-A, with that would redirect the country away from wasteful 88o,168. These two areas alone account for almost and air-polluting practices. This isn't just a question 40 percent of the total 6,783,896 registered vehicles of convenience; the state of our air has become a nationwide. matter of survival. Four major pollutants come from these vehicles: carbon monoxide when the carbon in fuel doesn't burn completely, as well as hydrocarbons—a toxic compound of hydrogen and carbon emitted from a car's_ exhaust. .