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tN mni NmwS Strategic Communication and Initiative Service STRATEGIC P GE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES .,„,,systiamer . PAGE LOWER oERVIC 25 JUN 2019

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to zio masl, which is its normal Concessionaires Manila Wa- ANGAT WATER DROP FROM Al high water level," Flores said. ter Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Pagasa was watching a low- Services Inc. started implement- pressure zone located 6io kilo- ing longer hours of low pressure to no water in their service NO IMMEDIATE sea level (masl), this week if lack meters east of Casiguran. Aurora province, on Monday afternoon. zones during the weekend. of rain persisted. "We are monitoring the wa- Pagasa said at least one to But while it may become a ter level at Angat as well as the RELIEF FROM two storms bringing heavy rain tropical depression in the next 48 hours, Flores said it was expect- weather as we want to avoid would be needed to lift the wa- making decisions on further re- ter level in the dam. ed to recurve and not hit land, WATER SERVICE and would therefore not have a duction of allocation," David The weather bureau said told Monday's news conference. the heavy rain during the week- significant impact on Angat The low pressure, however, MWSS Chair Reynaldo Velas- end was not enough to replen- co said the limited supply need- INTERRUPTIONS ish the reserve, the elevation of could induce the southwest mon- soon, which may bring rains over ed to be managed so that all cus- By Ronnel W. Domingo which was recorded at 158.92 tomers would have water even masl on Monday afternoon, the Angat watershed, Flores said. and Jhesset 0. Enano "Based on our records, we for only several hours a day. marking a decrease of 0.53 me- @Teaminquirer expect the watershed to begin its "What is important is that ters from the previous day. people get the water at their Danilo Flores, a hydrologist recovery by mid-July," he said. Metro Manilans can expect longer That agrees with the homes, without the need to water service interruptions in the with Pagasa, said the recent wait for tanker trucks on the rains were due to localized thun- NWRB's calculation, necessi- coming weeks as the reserve in tating shorter water service in street," Velasco said. Angat Dam may not rise to nor- derstorms, not heavy or consis- Metro Manila. "We ask the concession- mal levels until early July. tent enough to refill the data - aires to follow the schedules To raise Angat's elevation The board first reduced sup- Angat Dam, in Bulacan ply to the MWSS from the nor- they announced," he said. province, supplies 97 percent of back to its minimum operating mal flow of 48 cubic meters per "For consumers, we ask Metro Manila's water needs. level of i8o masl, at least 400 second to 46 cms on June i. them to store the amount of Sevillo David, executive di- millimeters of rain would be water that they actually need rector of the National Water Re- needed, falling right on the [and not hoard]," he added. dam's watershed, he said. Supply cuts sources Board (NWRB), told a On June zo, the supply was news briefing on Monday that Metro daily supply Low pressure watched further reduced to 40 cms as reduced water allocation from Angat prepared for low-water- In Bulacan, Patrick James Angat to the Metropolitan Wa- "Based on our records, we Dizon, MWSS division manag- need at least one to two storms level operations. terworks and Sewerage System On June 22, the MWSS sup- er, said water supply for Metro (MWSS) would be maintained to bring it back to the minimum ply was cut yet again as the re- Manila would be reduced to 33 up to at least the end of June. operating level and at least serve fell below i6o mast billion liters until June 30. The Philippine Atmospheric, three to four storms to refill it Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday said the Angat re- serve could hit its lowest m. level, 157.57 meters above A4 STRATEGIC zPAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE NouRolar 25 JUN 2019

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Rain during the last 24 hour shortage in March, merited a raised the stock at Ipo Dam by 1 harsher rebuke and a deeper cm to 99.81 mast as of Monday congressional inquiry. morning, closer to its minimum "We have given [the] MWSS maintaining level of tin masl. enough time to solve the persis- At Bustos Dam, also in Bula- tent problems with their public can, the reserve dropped from utility services," she said. 13.69 masl on Sunday to 13.90 "Since the regulators have mast on Monday, way below its either been slow or inept or spilling level of 17.90 masl. both at doing ,their job, we shall Ipo and Bustos dams catch file a bill that [would] prescribe water released by Angat for ir- details of their regulatory pow- rigation. ers," Dy said. "Public utility dec- The reserve at La Mesa Dam laration for water concession- in Quezon City also rose by i cm aires has long been overdue." to 68.66 masl, nearer to its criti- In a protest action in Que- cal level of 69 masl. zon City, Bayan Muna chair Neri The House of Representa- Colmenares and Bayan Muna tives is looking into the water Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate de- shortage in the metropolis, cried the failure of privatization with officials of Manila Water and called for "renationaliza- and Maynilad invited to the tion" of the water service. opening hearing on Tuesday. "There is no water security under privatization and this Public utilities will get worse unless the gov- On Monday, Bagong Hen- ernment acts now. We have al- erasyon Rep. Bernadette Her- ways asserted that privatiza- rera-Dy called for making .the tion is wrong," Zarate said. two concessionaires public "We must abandon privatiza- utilities to make them subject tion and [the] government should to the rules of public service take over these water [conces- and to the auditing authority of sionaires] to ensure not just wa- the Commission on Audit. ter security but also transparen- Dy said the "second round" cy and accountability," he added. of water service cutoffs in —WITH REPORTS FROM DJ YAP AND Metro Manila, following a CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE INQ

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t. It was in July 2010 when Angat," he added. Angat Dam registered its low- Velasco said the heavy Angat est level of 157.57 meters. It downpour over the weekend The construction of the was among the worst El Nifio did little to help in improving Sumag Diversion project, episodes in the country. water level in the dam. which is "70 percent com- recovery "As of now, we cannot as- plete," was stopped in 2016 af- sure when we can return sup- Water crisis ter an accident took place that ply to normal, considering hearing claimed the lives of six workers to take 3 the low water level in Angat. The House of Representa- at the construction site. tives oversight committee Senate President Vicente months That's why we are also trying will resume today its hearing Sotto DI has vowed to increase to maintain and prepare our on the water crisis in Metro funding for long-tern t water se- system so as not to have ad- By LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON Manila brought about by the curity projects and proposed to ditional reduction," NWRB breaching of the critical water the Duterte administration to executive director Sevillo Da- support public-private partner- Despite recent heavy rains, level of Angat Dam in Bulacan. vid Jr. said. Outgoing Speaker Gloria ship programs for the same, the public must continue cop- Water allocation for con- such as desalination plants. ing with unstable water sup- Macapagal-Arroyo initiated cessionaires Maynilad Water the hearing due to the pro- He said the country should ply as the recovery of Angat Services Inc. and Manila Water not suffer from dry spells if Dam, Metro Manila's main longed water shortage, as the Co. Inc. has been slashed to 36 creation of a Department of there are desalination plants, source of water, will take three cubic meters per second (CMS) which are common in the more months. Water will also be included in from 40 CMS. the agenda as the committee Middle East and nearby coun- In a joint briefing yesterday, This is a huge cut from the tries like Singapore. the Philippine Atmospheric, tries to evaluate the issues for average allocation of 48 CMS the next Congress to act upon. Sen. Grace Poe, who led Geophysical and Astronomi- on normal days. She said Local Water the inquiry into the recent wa- cal Services Administration "We will look at it once Utilities Administration ter shortage in Metro Manila (PAGASA) said the water level Angat starts recovering and (LWUA) acting administrator as chair of the public ser- in Angat Dam would normal- see if we can start reviewing Jeci Lapus was seeking govern- vices committee, lamented ize at 180 meters by September to slowly increase the alloca- ment help and solution for the the water crisis appeared to or October, given the rain situ- tion again. But for now, we Angat Dam water problem as have worsenedt despite as- ation over the past days. maintain the 36 CMS until the well as requesting measures surances from the MVVSS and "For it to return to normal, end of June," David said. to prevent a long-drawn out concessionaires that they have it would not take only one "We also have to consider water crisis from happening. learned their lesson from the month; maybe three months I \ the future requirement for the Invited to the hearing are of- previous supply interruptions. or more. One factor is that rest of the year. The succeeding — With Delon Porcalla, Rho- requirement this year and even ficials from the MVVSS, NWRB, dina Villanueva, Paolo Romero Angat was really low the past for next year will rely on what LWUA, National Irrigation months and it did not receive level the dam will recover," Authority, Departments of any rain during that period," he added. Agriculture, Budget and Man- PAGASA weather specialist Further, allocation for the agement, Environment and Junie Ruiz said. agriculture sector will resume Natural Resources and Public "Even if there will be rains Works and Highways. for consecutive days, it would only when Angat returns to 180 meters. Officials from the National just wet the soil in the Angat The NWRB started reducing Economic and Development watershed. After saturating allocation for farms in April Authority and water conces- the soil, that's the only time it and eventually removed it sionaires Ayala-owned Manila would go down to the water earlier this month. Water and the Manny V. Pang- table and eventually recharge "We just want to ensure ilirtan-owned Maynilad Water, TUm to Page 4 that once we release for agri- among others, are also invited. the dam," he added. culture again, we will be able House Minority Leader As of early yesterday morn- to sustain their requirements," Dann° Suarez has suggested ing, the dam's water level fur- David said. that the stalled construction ther dipped to 159.09 meters, The further cut in water al- of the Stunag River Diversion below the critical level of 160 location for Metro Manila and project in Quezon province meters. nearby provinces has caused be resumed to help solve the "If there will soon be sig- longer hours of interruption water crisis in Metro Manila. nificant rainfall in a period of for more than 12 minion com- Suarez, the incoming Quezon one or twel weeks, then slowly, bined consumers for the two governor, said the recurring and Angat will recharge. But the concessionaires. extended water crisis would be 180 meters will only be reached Meanwhile, the Metropolitan solved in the long term if the probably by September or Waterworks and Sewerage Sys- government pushes through October when typhoons start tem warned concessionaires to with the tuutpletion of the proj- land crossing in Central Lu- strictly follow their advisories ect, whose water flows through zon," Ruiz said. and warned consumers to save Angat Dam in Bulacan. The National Water Resourc- up just enough supply. Suarez said this would pro- es Board (NWRB) also warned "Consumers should just vide not only a remedy but give that Angat might possibly save enough for what they Metro Manila residents relief breach the lowest water level of need because once they start from the ongoing water interrup- 157.57 meters within the week getting more, the reservoirs tions since the start of the year. if current situation continues might be the ones to be af- without significant rainfall. fected," MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco said. "We really need to man- age our available resources in order to stretch the water in

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DESPITE DECLINING ANGAT LEVEL New water cuts ruled out

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE within the Angat reservoir and of 'course our weather projections as 1HE National Water Resources Board much as possible to avoid fur- (NWRB) will not reduce further the ther reducing water supply" he water releases from Angat Dam, the added. primary source of water for Metro Manila Sevillo said the agency was mon- itoring the weather and Angat's and nearby provinces. water level before making any decisions next month. In a briefing on Monday, NWRB Sewerage System (MWSS) will be The dam's normal operating Executive Director Sevilla David maintained at 36 cubic meters per level is between 180 meters and Jr. said the water allocation for second (cms) "for now." 210 meters. However, as of Mon- the Metropolitan Waterworks and "We are preparing the system day, its water level has declined

to 159.09 meters, according to Manila Water and Maynilad ter have said their customers would the Philippine Atmospheric, Geo- have been implementing rotation- continue to experience little to no physical and Astronomical Services al service disruptions lasting for water supply until their allocation Administration. several hours in order to maximize from Angat Dam is increased. On Saturday, the NWRB reduced the limited supply. During the briefing, MWSS its water allocation to the MWSS, This supply crunch has affected Administrator Reynaldo Velasco which divides this between Manila about 1.1 million service con- asked the two companies to strictly Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Wa- nections or 7.59 million people adhere to their schedule of water ter Services Inc., to 36 cms from with in M aynil ad's concession interruptions in their areas. 40 cms. area and more than 6 million Velasco also reminded custom- Last week, the agency cut water customers within Manila Water's ers to store enough water for times releases from Angat Dam to 40 cms coverage area. when no water would come out from 46 cms. Both Maynilad and Manila Wa- from their taps. STRATEGII eak UPPE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAl CARTOON COMMUNICA I it IN STORY STORY INMATIVES PAGE LOW SERVICE

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MWSS option: Pump out water MWSS... from Angat Dam From Al "It is better to have a reduction to By Rio N. Araja enable [us] to stretch the number of and Macon Ramos-Araneta days of our water use," Flores told the WATER managers have no other op- Manila Standard. Not reducing the allocation now tion but to reduce the water allocation- would hurt consumers and lead to more for Metro Manila beyond should there and prolonged water service interrup- be no improvement in the water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan, the Philippine tions, he said. "It is better that we have something to Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astro- share among ourselves [than to have no nomical Services Administration said water at all]," he said. Monday. t_ In an interview with GMA-7, MWSS Danilo Flores, hydrologist at the Administrator Reynaldo Velasco said weather bureau, said PAGASA, the the agency would have no option but to National Water Resources Board, Met- pump out water from Angat Dam should ropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage the elevation fall to 150 meters. System and its two water concession- - "We cannot fight nature," he said. aires--Maynilad Water Services Inc. "We will be forced to pump out wa- and Manila Water Co. Inc.—tackled the ter. That is why I have advised the [two dam's low water supply at Monday's water] concessionaires to really look for meeting of the technical working group pumps [as early as possible]. We cannot and came up with a recommendation to just buy them if we are already in that adjust the allocation for domestic use to situation," he added. lower than the current 36 cubic meters. As of 6 a.m. Monday, the dam's water Next page elevation went down to 159.09 meters, well below he 160-meter critical level. STRATEGIC 31alaya UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY

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DATE TITLE: PAGE 1/ Water, power woes far from over

historical low of 157 meters was BY LED MACAPAGAL NWRB said it will continue to limit to 36 cubic meters per sec- in 2010. CONSUMERS will continue ond (cms) the allocation of water "We are trying to maintain to experience limited supply of to concessionaires Metropolitan the current allocation so we are power and water as the expected Waterworks and Sewerage System preparing all systems and projec- full effects of the rainy season has (MWSS) until next month as it dolls especially on the weather to yet to fill up dams and to lower awaits weather developments in avoid additional reductions. We are monitoring closely our current ca- temperatures. the coming days. The National Water Resources As of 8 a.m. yesterday, June pacity... 36 ems will be maintained Board (NWRB) warned that Angat 24, Angat dam's elevation was at until end of the month. Then we dam may again reach its lowest el- 159.04 meters, or a meter below will check the developments on the evation of 157 meters by weekend the 160-meter critical level. The weather before we decide what to if weather patterns do not change. last time the dam's level hit its do in July," said Sevin° David Jr.,

NWRB executive director. "We need to practice such September or October before Reynaldo Velasco, MWSS ad- measures until such time we de- the dam is replenished back to its ministrator, said the agency met velop sufficient water source with minimum normal operating level with the Metropolitan Develop- enough buffer. Definitely, Angat is of 180 meters. ment Authority and other local crying already. It cannot anymore Meanwhile, the National Grid government units for the possible support the requirement of Metro Corporation of the Philippines regulation of use of water in Manila," he said. (NGCP), again placed the Luzon swimming pools, car wash services The Philippine Atmospheric, Grid yesterday under yellow alert as well as golf courses. Geophysical and Astronomical due to insufficiency in the amount Velasco appealed to consumers Services Administration said rains of available power reserves as to save water enough for a day's are expected to hit the area of peak power demand hit 11,093 use as overstocking may also have Angat dam by next month. negative effects on reservoirs. But it said it may take until See WATER> Page Al

WATER

megawatts, (MW) against an plants caused by low water level available supply of 11,964 MW. in dams. The Department of Energy NGCP earlier said it expects the said the power supply deficiency power situation to normalize by yesterday was caused by the September as hydro power plants planned and unplanned outages are expected to be back on opera- of power plants with a total tions during the rainy season even capacity of 1,310 MW, mostly if some coal power plants will have due to non-operation of hydro their maintenance shutdowns. STRATEGIC WIERr PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION A-4 STORY STORY ismaggiSM INITIATIVES PAGE TOWER SERVICE BusinessMirror missaea'ls rP,(4,1,161 chop, 25 JUN 2019

DATE PAGE I/ Maynilad, Manila Water likely to evolve from concessionaires to public utilities, lawmaker says BY JOVEE MARIE N. DELA CRUZ Moreover, Herrera-Dy said, a and other parts of the country. . @joveemarie public utility status for the water Herrera-Dy also said that "since • concessionaires will limit their pre- the regulators have either been slow PARTY-LIST lawmaker on rogative to adjust rates they collect or inept, or both, at doing their job, Monday said the 18th Con- to their customers. we shall file a bill that will prescribe A gress wouldwork for thepas- In the 17th Congress, the House of details of their regulatory powers." sage of a measure declaring water Representatives hasapproved House "Public utility declaration for concessionaires Manila Water and Bill 5828, or an act providing for the water concessionaires has long been Maynilad as "public utilities." definition of public utility, amend- overdue," she said. Recalling on how the water crisis ing for the purpose Commonwealth "Brownouts in many provinces in the early 1990s led to the Metro- Act of 146. However, the Senate is an almost daily burden. Mindoro, politan Waterworks and Sewerage failed to approve the measure. Panay Island, the Bicol Region and System'sprivatizationandthesubse- The bill provides a clear definition other parts of the country suffer quent entry of the two water conces- of public utility that covers three sec- long brownouts and high electricity sionaires in Metro Manila, Bagong tors: distribution of electricity sys- costs," Herrera-Dy added. Henerasyon partylist Rep. Berna- tem, transmission of electricity sys- dette Herrera-Dysaidit is again time tem and water pipeline distribution Failure toamend the MWSS charter, andthis system or sewerage pipeline system. MEANWHILE, Anakpawis Rep. Ar- time, explicitly define water conces- Also, Herrera-Dy, secretary-gen- iel Casilao said, a "government, that sionaires.as public utilities. eral of the Party-list Coalition said, ,couldnot even secure the basic water Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Ar- making Metro Manila residents suf- needs of its people, is an epic failure." royo, meanwhile, has called for an fer through a second round of water He said the Duterte administra- oversighthearing on Tuesday(today) service cut offs merits tougherrebuke tion should carry out a thorough at 10 a.m. on the prevailing water and deeper probe by Congress. evaluation of the private concession- shortage in Metro Manila. 4Wehavegiven MWSSandtheelec- aries' infrastructure, amid the firms's Invited to the hearing are officials tricky sector enough time to solve the habitual justification of low water from the MWSS, National Water Re- persistent problems with their public- levels of its sources for the shortages. sources Bureau (NWRB), Local Water utility services," said Herrera-Dy. "This should also serve as basis Utilities Administration (LWUA), "Itis now time to cleanup the mess for a possible amendment on their National IrrigationAuthority (NIA), andamongtheareasweshallfocus on respective concession agreements," Departments of Agriculture, Budget is declaringthewaterconcessionaires he said. andManagement, Environment and as public utilities," she added. "It is a highest feat of immoral- Natural Resources and Public Works After the 18th Congress convenes ity that these concessionaires rake and Highways, Neda and water con- on July 22, the lawmaker said the up super profits amid its clients's cessionaires Manila Water Co. Inc., lower chamber would resume inves- distress. The quality of their service and the Maynilad Water Services tigations on the water services as well should be proportionate of their prof- Inc., among others. aselectricityservicesinMetro Manila its," he added.

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DATE TITLE PAGE I/ Emergency powers will not solve Metro water-supply shortage, says MWSS's Velasco the operational capacity of the BY JONATHAN L. MAYUGA dam, including the low-level out- IF Wonimayuga let," he said. METROPOLITAN Wa- David said, for now, until the end of the month, the current terworks and Sewerage S System Administrator water-supply allocation for Metro Reynaldo V. Velasco said giving Manila will remain at 36 cubic the President, or the MWSS, emer- meters per second. The reduced gency powers will not help address water allocation has compelled the current water-supply short- the MWSS's two private water age problem that currently besets concessionaires —Maynilad Wa- ter Services Inc. and ManilaWater Metro Manila residents. Ata news conferencejointlYheld Co. Inc.—to implement rotational with National Water Resources water service interruptions to Board (NWRB) Executive Director distribute the water it receives Sevillo D. David Jr., Velasco said from Angat. Manila Water's current supply without rain that will boost the volume of water at the Angat Dam, gap is 170 MLD. David underscored the need to 'no amount of emergency powers manage whatever is left of the water 'will help. "Even with emergency powers, atAngatuntilsuchtimethatrainfall without rain, there will still be is experienced at the Angat water- supply shortage," Velasco, a retired shed to augment supply. For now, the MWSS is appealing police general, said. The MWSS chief said that, if to Metro Manilaresidents toharvest rainwateranduse it fornonessential ; ever, emergency powers will be needed to fast-track the procure- uses, like washing cars, flushingtoi- , ment of equipment for future wa- lets or watering plants. Meanwhile, Velasco said he had ter-supply projects. "[Assuming that's the] case, the already asked the MWSS and Ma- emergency power is for the future," nila Water to strictly follow their own water service interruption he said. Velasco cited the need to fast- schedules, while urging consumers track the development of new water to conserve just enough water for sourceliketheCentennialNewWater their day-to-day needs so as not to further deplete the water reserve Source-Kaliwa Dam Project. "It takes five years to build a at Angat. dam. In the case of Kaliwa, it took As for business establish- us 52 years. And yet there is still op- ments that continue to "waste" waterlike carwash and golf cours- position," he said. Velasco said the procurement es, Velasco said they had already of equipment is a "slow process" requested the concerned local under the current procurement government units which have law, a reason President Duterte •the power to issue executive or- wants it set aside. He said the ders or ordinances to look into government's hand is tied when the situation in their respective it comes to procurement without localities and come up with ways emergency powers. to conserve water. David said the NWRB is cur- He maintained that there's a rently studying various scenarios need to develop new water source before deciding on changing the to address the perennial water- current water-supply allocation for supply shortage. "Angat is already crying. It can- Metro Manila. "Right now, we are looking at not support the water requirement what is still available. What is our of Metro Manila, we have to get scenario, our rainfall projections outside of Angat Dam," Velasco in a couple of days or weeks, and said. ra STRATEGIC LII e :01„h,„„ UPPE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY iNMAI1VES PAGE LOWER ,,,Laar SERVICE Business Insi 25 JUN 2019

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in the future. House looks HOUSE House Resolution No. 2548 urged (MWSS), National Water Resources the MWSS, MWSS-Regulatory Office into Metro Bureau (NWRB), LWUA, National Ir- (MWSS-RO) NWRB, LWUA, BSWM, rigation Authority (NM), Departments MWCI, and the MWSI to immediately water shortage of Agriculture, Budget and Management, formulate a water security master plan Environmeni and Natural Resources and to secure and sustain the supply of water for household, commercial, and BY WENDELL VIGIIJA Public Works and Highways, NEDA and water concessionaires Manila Water industrial uses in Metro Manila that may be duplicated in other parts of THE House of Representatives Company, Inc. (MWCI), and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (MWSI), among the country. will conduct an oversight hearing The resolution stated that the recent today to look into the water short- others. Also included water shortage in Metro Manila serves age in Metro Manila as Angat Darn as an "eye-opener" in Bulacan reaches critical level. that warned govern- Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Ar- ment regulators to be royo made the call just a few days in the agenda is the proposed creation proactive particularly before the term of all members of of a Department of Water which will be in the dry season to the 18th Congress end on June 30. evaluated by the committee for the next avert water service Arroyo said the issue was Congress to act upon. problems. brought to her attention by Lo- At the height of the water crisis in the MWSS Administra- cal Water Utilities Administration east side of Metro Manila last March, Ar- tor Reynaldo Velasco (LWUA) acting administrator Jeci royo also conducted an oversight hearing said the dam's water Lapus as he sought for solutions that prompted Maynilad to agree to open level will continue to for the Angat water problem as five of its surplus valves with Manila Wa- drop if there will be well as long-term measures to avert ter to supply 50 million of water to ease no rain showers. a water crisis. the burden of the estimated 1.2 million PAGASA hydrolo- Angat Dam, which supplies households in the area. gist Elmer Caringal said water to Metro Manila and Central Two House resolutions, both princi- two strong typhoons Luzon, has already hit the critical are needed so that An- 160-meter level which could fur- gat Dam's water level ther reduce Metro Manila's water would be restored to supply. its minimum operating As of 6 am. yesterday, the water level of 180 meters. level was down to 159.09 meters pally authored by Speaker Arroyo, were National Water Re- from 159.43 meters on Sunday also adopted that tackled the water crisis sources Board chief morning. in Metro Manila. Sevin° David Jr. said Invited to today's hearing at House Resolution No. 2547 urged the Angat Dam may re- the House of Representatives are MWSS, together with other concerned cord its lowest water officials from the Metropolitan agencies and companies, to be proactive level this week if no Waterworks and Sewerage Systems whenever an impending crisis is detected rains will come. — and immediately form a technical work- See HOUSE>. Page B2 With Victor Reyes ing group (rwc) to enhance and execute mitigation strategies to avert the occur- rence of water shortage in Metro Manila and provide sustainable supply of clean and safe water for its citizens now and C STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE UP PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 6FRA. STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE TOWER ",imiliall°41.imair SERVICE sira 25 JUN 2019 onata.t.umbinimji

TITLE. PAGE I HATE LPA seen to develop into cyclone this week

By HELEN FLOR Es ing the rains will fall on An- The low-pressure area was gat Dam in Bulacan, which expected to intensify into a More rains are expected breached the 160-meter critical tropical depression and will be in many parts of the country, level over the weekend. named Dodong. including Metro Manila, in the As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the The southwest monsoon, next two days due to a low- weather system was located pressure area off Casiguran, which wa§ enhanced by the 610 kilometers east of Casigu- weather disturbance, will con- Aurora that was forecast to ran, according to the Philip- tinue to bring cloudy skies develop into a tropical cyclone. pine Atmospheric, Geophysi- with scattered rains and thun- State weathermen and wa- cal and Astronomical Services ter administrators are hop- derstorms over Metro Manila, Administration (PAGASA). the Visayas, Mimaropa (Min-

doro, Marinduque, Romblon the main sources of water of Caringal said more than and Palawan), Calabarzon the region. . 600 millimeters of rainfall are (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Weather forecasters said at needed to bring back Angat's Rizal and Quezon), Bicof re- least two cyclones are needed water level to its normal oper- gion, Zamboanga peninsula, to reach the normal operating ating level. Zambales, Bataan and Aurora. level of Angat at 180 ineters. On June 22, the National The heavy rains, which PAGASA hydrologist Elmer Water Resources Board reduced flooded several parts of Metro Caringal said light rains were allocation from 40 cubic meters Manila on Sunday night were experienced at the Angat wa- per second to 36 CMS for Metro not enough to increase the tershed on Sunday. Manila and nearby areas. water level in Angat, one of

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1 1 Crisis I 1 t is time to call this a crisis. Even as we near the end of IJune, the rains have not come. Angat Dam has fallen below criti- cal level. The other dams in the Si- erra Madre system we rely on for fresh water are following suit. We were hopeful when a low- pressure area entered the Philip- pine Area of Responsibility over the last weekend. But it turned out to be too weak and too far to help mitigate the water shortage now gripping the metropolitan area. 1 There is a disturbing realization here: our teeming ' cities are actually reliant on rain-fed (not to mention creaky) water impoundment systems. As climate change becomes more profound, we can expect more severe weather to befall us. That includes longer and hotter El Nino months. If our fresh water supply is rain-fed, we are in deep trouble. I recall we were talking about the Kaliwa and Kanan rivers back to when Fidel Ramos was president. Noth- ing happened in the intervening period. Now we are ready to build the Kaliwa Dam. But it will take years 'before we can divert precious fresh water from flowing uselessly to the sea. h We also talked a lot building hundreds of small water impoundment structures to capture rainwater, help relieve the flooding and have fresh water sup- plies available for communities. Nothing happened, except for a few bulk water enterprises serving rural communities. Once, anticipating a rather severe bout with El Nil-1o, I recall Congress setting aside a pretty large fund for mitigating its effects. The fund was equally divided among the congressmen although common sense says some areas need the funding more than others. That money, I suppose, was largely squandered as additional pork barrel. In a few districts, deep-water wells were drilled. The wells were later banned after we realized that they brought down the aquifer water levels and dried up the mountains. They also caused subsidence, where the ground sinks when aquifers dried up, in some parts of Metro Manila. Therefore, that entire El Nitio fund went to waste. In the community where I live, the water pumps disappeated. Someone must have sold them for scrap. We remember them now because the faucets are dry 20 hours of the day. If no rains come over the next two weeks, the whole National Capital Region will be in deep trouble. By declaring a water crisis, government should ap- point a water czar or something. He will be the central contact person for orchestrating water conservation and rationing. He should also chair a panel to look into the possible criminal negligence of the water conces- sionaires. They are, under the terms of their contracts, responsible for assuring water sufficiency. Some leftist group recently proposed we renational- ize the water concessions. That will make things even worse. Those of a certain age remember the National Wa- terworks and Sewerage Authority. When bureaucrats controlled water distribution, we had no water all year round. UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY (elk PAGE WEB .11MINNISMar

Department of Environment and Natural Resources 25 JUN 2019 HATAW. D'YAF4YO N o 13 AVA N nth an STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE http://witoir.hetinntabltill.d.COM DATE

(Pa_d_a-g-P--- n kt 1 a rin Water level sa Regal Darn !along humaliaba NANANATILING Inas maba- tumaas ang water level sa ba sa 160-metro cribcal mark Ipo Dam, La Mesa Darn, nitong LUnes, 24 Hunyo, at Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam, inaasahang bababa pa any at CaliraYa Dam mita noong water level sa Angat Dam LinggoWaging no umaga. sanhi ng patuloy kung hindi pa dn sapat any bubuhos na ulan, ayon sa na pagbaba ng label ng tubigo sa Philippine Atmospheric, any pagkawala rig tub Geophysical and Astro- Kamaynilaan at mga kalapit normal Services Adminis- na lalawigan dahil binabaan ng National Water Resour- trationNaitala (Pagasa). kahapon 6:00 am, ces Board (NWRB) ang any water level ng Angat suplay ng tubig na ibinibigay Dam sa 159.09 metro —mas sa Metropolitan Water- mababa sa 159.43 metro na works and Sewerage naitala noong Linggo rig System (MW SS), na ibinibigay nib a sa Manila umaga. Dagdag ng Pagasa, bu- WaterAyon at Maynilad.kay Patrick James mababa din any water level sa ibang mga darn sa bansa Dizon, division manager iv tulad ng San Roque Dam (- MWSS, ang pagbagsak ng 0.41 metro), Pantabangan water level sa Angat Dam ay Dam (-0.18 metro), at Magat sanhi ng kakulangan ng ulan dahil sa dinaranas na El Nino Dam (-0.18 metro). Samantala, bahagYang sa bansa...... STRATEGIC EL EL UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 11/ STORY STORY gai INITIA EWES PAGE COWER SERVICE cirri] SA palagay ba ninyo ga- 25 JUN 2019 wa ng kalikasan any kri- DATE TITLE sis sa tubig sa Mega Ma- nila? Para sa ating Uzi, ba- hagi lang any kalikasan 1111111,111111 sa problema. Any malaking dahilan EigapORDIA- na nakikita ng ating Uzi ay any sobrang lawak ng MONOPOLY0 ANG DAMAN operasyon ng Maynilad at Manila Water. NC KRISIS SA TUBIG Hindi ba noong una, age basic charge na bina- pitong putakte, kakapurit eh, any Metro Manila bayaran ng mga kostumer lang pala ang naitatag ng any any dapat suplayan ng dalawa bawat buwan? dalawang konsesyonar- ng dalawang konsesyo- P35 kada buwan para yo na purifying naryo? o recycling sa Maynilad habang P25 station para sa dumi ga- Sa hull, isinama na naman any sa Manila Wa- ling sa mga poso. nila any mga lalawigan ter. Heto any nakapaninin- ng Rizal, Cavite at Bula- May tubig o wala na tutu- can. dig-balahibo. lo sa faucet ng mga kos- Hinati ng dalawang Dapat libre any pasip- turner, naniningil any dal- sip ng mga poso negro. konsesyonaryo any Me- awa ng nasabing halaga ga Manila. Pero alam ba ninyong bawat metro ng tubig. Sa laki ng populasyon iiskedyul ka sa susunod Gaano kalaki any kita ng na dalawa o tatlong bu- na sinusuplayan ng da- bawat isa sa kanila bu- lawa, madali nang ma- wan bago ka masipsi- wan-buwan sa nasabing ubos any tubig na galing pan? average basic charge? sa Angat Dam, Ipo Dam Eh umaapaw na any Anak ng tokwa, malaki, at La Mesa Dam. iyong poso negro. malaking-malaki. Bukod pa rito any pag- Pero kung magbayad Isipin na lang ninyo, mga papakawala ng Angat ka ng kung ilang hbo para Bro, any Maynilad ay may Dam ng maraming tubig rito, andyan na agad any milyong kostumer para sa irigasyon ng mga mga pangsipsip ng May- samantalang may magsasaka sa Bulacan. nilad at Manila Water. milyon naman any Manila Hindi ba may malaking KASUWAPANGAN? Water. pandaraya rito? Sabi ng ating Uzi, ma- Gaano karami any ituturing na suwapang Pwera pa any singil ng nagbabayad ng pasipsip any mga konsesyonar- mga ito sa mga reconnec- yo. tion charge kung pinutulan dahil sa pagkabigo ng mga konsesyonaryo na Para buo nilang ma- ka ng kuryente, kung pala- umaksyon kaagad sa pagkakitaan any suplay ki nang palaki any iyong oras ng pangangaila- ng tubig sa lahat ng sa- babayaran sa paglaki ng konsumo mo. ngan dito? kop • nila, pinagbabawa- MONOPOLYO lan na nila nang tuluyan MGA APEKTADO Nitong krisis sa tubig, BUWAGIN any anomang source ng Dapat na tifingin any tubig gaya ng poso o any daming perwisyong idinulot nito sa mga ma- pamahalaan, lab o na deepwell. any Metro Waterworks Katwiran ng dalawa, mamayan. May mga hindi nakapa- and Severage System, hindi mamamalayang ng paraan na mabuwag maubos any mga pun- sok sa trabaho, may mga nagsara ng negosyong tu- any monopoly sa tubig. dasyon ng lupa sa pall- Kung may may-aplay big gaya ng mga refilling gid ng poso o deepwell bilang suplayer ng tubig, station at restoran. at pagmumulan ito ng dapat na pagbigyan ito. pagguho ng lupa sa pa- May mga lumala any Gaya na lamang ng gi- ligid ng mga tubo ng sakit sa kawalan o labis na nawang pagpahintulot P050 o deepwell. kakulangan ng suplay ng sa isang telephone com- Totoo naman. tubig. pany na pangatlong ko- Pero sa tagal ng pana- Bumaling sa nakaplas- mpanya na magbigay- hon na gumagamit any fik na maliliit na tubig any serbisyo sa telepono at mga mamamayan ng maraming tao at napaka- internent. poso o deepwell, wala mamahal any mga ito. Kung magagawa ng pang naitatalang paggu- Akalain nating katum- pamahalaang Duterte ho ng lupa. bas ng 500 milliliter na any pagbuwag sa mo- Maaaring totoo ito sa plastic o bottled water any nopolyo, malaking ginha- mga komersyal na deep- isang average basic char- wa any matatamo ng well gaya ng mga gamit ge ng Maynilad at Manila mga mamamayan sa ng mga pabrika pero hin- Water. pagganda ng serbisyo di sa gamit ng mga ordi- 'Yun bang == may P35 sa kantidad at kalidad, naryong mamamayan. o P25 na bottled water at kasama na any pagba- Pero any totoong nasa katumbas nito any nasa- ba ng presyo fly tubig. likod ng pagbabawal ay bing average basic charge Dito natin naalaala any para masolo nila any la- na karaniwa'y konsumo sa alok ni Ramon Any na hat ng source ng tubig at boob ng isang buwan ng pupwede siyang may- mawalan ng libreng tu- isang pamilya. suplay ng tubig na P5 big any mga mamama- POSO NEGRO para sa average basic yan. Kakambal ng negosyo charge. MAYNI LA - P35 ng dalawang monopo- Anomang reaksyon o MANILA listang ito any negosyo sa reklamo ay maaaring WATER - P25 poso negro. iparating sa 0922840- Alam ba ninyo any kata- Sa imbestigasyon ng 3333 o i-email sa banfi- mtamang Waiagan aver- mga awtoridad, anak ng [email protected].

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ALOKASYON NC TUBIG ANC iNYONc SA METRO MANILA, LINGKOD BINAWASAN MULI NC NWRB DR. HILDA C. ONG BINAWASANG mull rig Natio- sente intemiptions' sa buong pagbabago sa iskedyul ng 'ro- phoon Yolanda, may bagong nal Water Resources Board East Zone na tatagal mula tational water service interrup- Storm Surge Forecast and (NWRB) ang alokasyon ng 12 hanggang 17 oras bawat tions'. Waming System na ito na tubig para sa MWSS at mga araw. -oo0oo- magbibigay ng 'possible im- konsesyunaryo nito ng 4 cu- Ang mga 'service inter- DOST-PAGASA MAY pact of the weather system to bic meters per second (CMS), ruptions' na Ito ay ginagawa BAGONG WARNING the community'. mula 40 CMS pababa hang- para maiparnahagi ang limita- SYSTEM KONTRA STORM Batay sa paliwanag ni gang 36 CMS. Ito ay bunsod dong suplay ng tubig sa lahat SURGE Undersecretary for Disaster ngpatibynapeebangataS ng mga kostumer, upang Isa sa mga natutunan na- Risk Reduction and Climate ng tubig sa Angat Darn na mas mabigyan ang lahat ng pag- tin kay Super Typhoon Yolan- Change, Dr. Renato Solidum, mababa na sa kritikal na label kakataonna makapag-iponng da na nanalaso sa Samar — ang bagong sistema ay isang na 160 meters noong Saba- tubig araw-araw, Leyte Islands noong Novem- community-based prepared- do, Hunyo 22, 2019. Ang 4 Bagama't ang bagong ber 8, 2013 ay ang paghan- ness na may dalawang kale- CMS no ibabawas ay Icahn- iskedyul ng mga interruption daan ang Storm Surge o Da- gorya — Storm Surge Watch bas rig konsumo ng halos ay nagsimula noong ika-22ng luyong. na ilalabas kung mayroong 700,000 na katao kada araw. Hunyo, kinakailangan ng pag- Sinasabi ng mga eksper- moderate to hioastal and risk Ayon kay Dr. Swill° Da- babawas ng alokasyon bago to na karamihan sa higit ku- storm surge sa loob ng susu- vid, Jr. Executive Director rig tuluyang maisaayos ang ope- mulang six thousand three nod na forty-eight (48) hours; NWRB, ang label ng tubig as rasyon. Ito ay upang maka- hundred (6,300) na nasawi ay at Storm Surge Waning kapag of June 24, 6am (Lunes ng mit ang tamang iskedyul dahil dahil sa storm surge, kaya mayroong high risk of storm s o pagbaba- umaga) ay nasa 159.09, be- sa 'pagtitimpla naman masusi itong pinag- surge na darating sa susunod lanse rig distibusyon ng limi- low160 kritikal label. Kahapon aralan ng Department of Scien- na twenty-four (24) hours sa tadong supply ng tubig sa ka- ipinatupad ang karagdagang ce and Technology — Philip- mga low-lying coastal areas. pagbabawas sa alokasyon sa buuan ng East Zone. Ang 'ro- Kaya upang makaligtas tational water service interrup- pine Atmospheric Geophysi- MWSS, mula sa 40 metro ku- sa panganib sa panahon ng tion ay mananatili hanggang cal and Astronomical Servi- biko bawat segundo, ibaba na bagyo at Habagat, kapag si- makabawi ang label ng tubig ces Administration o DOST sa 36 cms. PAGASA upang makapag- nabi ng awtoridad sa inyong Kaugnay nito, kinakaila- sa Angat Dam. Mg Manila Water ay pa- bigay rig babala. kailangan na ang paglikas, ngang magpatupad mull ng sumunod at huwag nang hin- Manila Water ng panibagong tuloy na magbibigay ng mga Matapos ang anim na ta- tayin pa ang panganib iskedyul ng 'rotational water update hinggil sa anumang ong pananalasa ng Super Ty- STRATEGIC I 1 LII PAGE! BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 4 ti STORY STORY '% INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE 25 JUN 2019 DATE TIDE. PAGE I/ Water crisis fails to dampen 'basaan' San Juan City holds biggest ever Wattah Wattah Festival

By Matthew Reysio-Cruz val is observed on the birth- it's the only day for us to cele- and Maxine Sta. Cruz day of the city's patron saint, brate a simple fiesta of our @InqMetro John the Baptist. The fire city." trucks were blessed by a Still, some residents were As the water level in Angat priest before these made concerned about the appro- Dam tumbled on Monday their way through the small priateness of pushing through to an alarming 159.43 me- city, accompanied by several with the festival although ters—a harbinger of a. possi- floats depicting the life of they agreed with the city gov- bly more severe water short- Saint John. ernment's conservation mea- age in Metro Manila—there Encapsulating the view of sures this year. was little sense of an im- other residents, Helen Cor- Christine Sy, who has lived pending crisis in San Juan dial spurned the idea that the in San Juan for five years, said City, which went ahead with festival was a waste of re- they were satisfied with the its annual Wattah Wattah sources. The dousing of water limit on the number of partici- Festival. was akin to being showered pating fire trucks. A procession of fire trucks with blessings, said the 49- rained a torrent of water on year-old Cordial, who has Cancelation not an option boisterous festival-goers, ma- lived in San Juan since the "I think it's amenable, in- ny of whom were grappling 1970s. stead of not holding the event with dry taps at home. Still, it Dexter Cabreza, 24, said it at all," Sy added. seemed little could dampen was a family tradition to David Llaneta, who has the city's affinity for its tradi- head to church before the joined the basaan for •eight tional "basaan." basaan. According to Parks years, conceded that he "I think it's the best cele- Garcia, who has celebrated "didn't know" whether it was bration we've had," Mayor the festival since its begin- right to move ahead with the Guia Gomez told reporters. ning in 2004, it was the city's celebration this year. "But I The local government had way of giving thanks to Saint guess [city hall]. is finding a limited the number of fire John. way to conserve water," he trucks to 16 from the usual 5o "It wouldn't be right to de- said. due to the water shortage. stroy the tradition," Garcia According to Pacheco, the said. city government has "turned 12,000 participants Christy Ponclara, 35, said the crisis into a positive in- Councilor Vincent Pacheco, she could not abandon what strument" by launching an the festival committee chair, was essentially a "celebration awareness campaign on water estimated the crowd at around of our city." conservation. 12,000, making it the biggest "I don't [think] they're "We are thankful, not be- Wattah Wattah yet despite the wasting water because it's cause there's no water, but be- ironic backdrop of a worsening once a year, and not even for a cause the event was used to water crisis. whole day," she said. "We remind people that water is The chiefly religious festi- can't get rid of this because very important," he said. iNQ es STRATEGIC A TANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY was,,,a,Ata INITIATIVES Wake&00.4110. — t. PAGE LOWER Naiiii101."/ :SERVICE 25 JUN 2019

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WATER CRISIS WON'T DAMPEN (BASAAN' FUN

WET HOLIDAY These youngsters are out on the streets of San Juan City early Monday morning, firing their water guns at will on motorists, all in the spirit of fun ); while celebrating the feast of their patron, St. John the Baptist.—aosoNsuseitsrrs

WHAT WATER SHORTAGE? This year's Wattah Wattah Festival is believed to be the biggest yet, in terms of participants, since its launching in 2004. —NINO JESUS ORDETA

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Lack of vision and long-term planning and sys- temic neglect have plagued the national agencies re- EDITORIAL sponsible for securing the water needs of Metro Manila's 12 million or so and ever expanding popula- tion. It is not exactly a secret that Ipo, Angat and La Mesa dams supplying the Metro's water require- ments are limited, dependent on rain and affected by The human weather-related and manmade calamities. It is not a secret that El Nino and climate change have wreaked havoc on water resources, farming and the safety of right to water communities in vulnerable countries like the Philip- pines. There has always been science to guide policy- he UN General Assembly declared in a making and the allocation of public expendi- July zolo resolution that "safe and clean tures—if only the government paid more heed to it. drinking water and sanitation [is] a hu- Yet the problem persists, with the water conces- man right that is essential for the full sionaires, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sew- enjoyment of life and all human rights." erage System, the National Water Resources Board, The UN Human Rights Council also etc. all blaming the crisis on dam water going below adopted a resolution in zoll stating that critical levels. Such neglect and indifference are access to safe drinking water and sanita- compounded by the lack of transparency and ac- tion is "a human right: a right to life and countability in discussing with the public not only to human dignity." These declarations the extent of the water crisis, but how the precious Taffirm everyone's right to "sufficient, safe, accept- resource is allocated across the various communi- able, physically accessible and affordable water for ties in the metro. personal and domestic uses," such as for drinking, These past days, consumers have taken to vent- washing of clothes, food preparation and house- ing that while the concessionaires have issued advi- hold and personal sanitation. sories on water service interruptions, the warnings A person needs between 5o and ioo liters of water were not timely enough (before the taps ran dry) or a day, according to World Health Organization esti- turned out to be inaccurate (the flow didn't return mates, to ensure that his or her most basic personal on the announced schedule). and health needs are met For these needs to be met, What people in Metro Manila and the affected the United Nations said water supply and sanitation provinces need is simple: that all these well-funded facilities for everyone "must be continuous and suffi- government agencies and the private water conces- cient for personal and domestic uses." The United Na- sionaires reaping billions of pesos in profit get their tions puts the responsibility of providing water and act together and deliver on their responsibility to sanitation on governments, given that access to water provide citizens with water. That is their job—and, and sanitation is a "legal entitlement, rather than a for the people, their basic human right. commodity or service provided on a charitable basis." However, this fundamental human right to water appears to be of little consequence in Metro Manila, where millions of residents in many communities are once again enduring long hours without it. Without so much a say-so from the two giant wa- ter concessionaires, taps ran dry last week. Nothing could be done except to grin and bear the announce- ment by Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. that, henceforth, until the heavens de- cide to send rains over the darns servicing the Metro's water needs, Metro Manila must contend with water service interruptions lasting from 12 to 17, and even zo hours a day. Just in March, Metro Manila already felt like a battle zone, with people spending sleepless nights and wasting whole days to queue for water ra- tioning from fire trucks. In Mandaluyong, some condominium residents were forced to draw water from the swimming pool. A report in this paper also described how a community rushed out in a frenzy to meet a fire truck, as if it was a fight for survival. "I had to stop working because all my time is spent waiting here," Nersia Aranas, resident of Barangay Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong, said in the same report. Another resident, Edna Elamparo, rued that fire trucks that came to their area, often at odd hours, could not even provide potable water. "In my .1 66 years, there had been times when water pressure was weak, but it was never completely gone. Unlike now—we are like beggars. We would consider us- ing even dirty water." STRATEGIC IP ANT obi P tht D 1.1:Y Lii UPPER PAGE I BANN, EDITORIAL IT 00 N COMMUNICATION A2 STORY STORY e INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE U IR STRATEGIC PPk• ?,13.1 k5 UPPE PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES P GE LOWER ,ineosis SERVICE 25 JUN 2019

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Davide hails stakeholders on protection of Manila Bay

EX-CHIEF Justice Hi- organizer lawyer Anto- lario G. Davide, Jr. nio Oposa. called on the Filipinos The government to join hands and take through the DENR is a dynamic, collective undertaking a five to and holistic move to seven-year P42-billion save the country's rehabilitation work of the maritime environ- iconic and historic Philip- ment while there is pine bay, and hopes to still time as the sea turn some areas with and river predators murky waters to a swim- have continued their mable beach within this year. Several business EX-CHIEF JUSTICE DAVIDE BEFORE STAKEHOLD- destructive ways on ERS TO SAVE MANILA BAY— Former Supreme Court God-given natural establishments are fac- ing closure because of Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide. Jr. (standing in blue and maritime envi- polo barong) explaining before stakeholders the ronment. insufficient infrastruc- ture to ensure proper importance and significance of protecting the his- As guest and speak- toric Manila Bay, during the launching of 'Manila Bay- er at the launching of waste disposal. No less than DENA Sec. Roy ani Awards' on June 5, 2019 in celebration of World Bay-ani Awards' Environment Day- at the Manila Yacht Club, Roxas at the Manila Yacht Club Cimatu had led the in- last June 5 in celebra- spection of some 200 es- Boulevard. tion of World Environ- tablishments and 38 ho- highlighting bad news to ganic gardening; 6. ment Day, the former tels. spotlighting the good Clearing and greening of Chief Magistrate hailed Majority of the hotels news; Move from the easement zones; Arts for the maritime environ- were found to lack of harsh energy of enforce- the Earth (and Manila ment protection stake- proper sewage treatment ment to the happy energy Bay) (e.g. music, paint- holders, including the plants, it was reported. of positive reinforcement". ings, poetry, etc). common citizen or mem- Reports, have at The awards categories Maritime journalist- ber of the community of presstime that some includes: 1. Proper solid analyst and legal re- the lowest bracket who hotels and restaurants waste management (sort- searcher Eulogio Malicse is given a role to share along Roxas boulevard ing, composing, recycling said, the launch is a in contributing, no mat- stretch have already and the like); 2.Waste- realistic approach to pro- ter how small it is, in been closed. water treatment and tecting Manila Bay. the clean-up and pro- Oposa explained the water recycling; 3. Clear- Nomination forms May tection of historic Manila criteria of participants, ing and restoring of riv- be secured from, and Bay. stressing they must be in ers, waterways, and wa- filled-forms sent to The launch is a one- line and in consonance ter bodies (e.g. wetlands); ilxvani6519@ernalcom. year search for good with : "Using good exam- 4. Rainwater catchment Mssrs. Paulo Burro, Ken news, success stories, ples and success stories to , rainwater collectors, and Cogue and Tony Oposa. and exemplary efforts to inspire the movement for edible rain gardens ; 5. For information help clean the Manila real and lasting change; Edible landscaping ,mom- send e-mail to Bay, according to lead Change the story from murky gardens, and or- moraitmorSarlocm. I I 1--1 MGR MINER EDITORIAL L:ARD: 1101 PUI100 (.I Pfi 001105L STORY STORY 81,11UF -II r/'Air

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RATEGIC COMMUNICATION IOWA] IVES SITIIVICI THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER, DATE

HOW BIG IS THE HOLE,- The size of the big hole that formed after a 14- ':heeler truck carrying sand sank In this portion of the street at the intersection of Remedios Street and Roxas Boulevard in Manila Sunday Is being measured through Real Time Kinematics (FIT) by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineer lobo Barrios. (All Vicoy)

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Metro green spaces continue to shrink

Green spaces in Metro Manila are shrinking as more buildings rise and the population balloons, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Only about a fifth of its land area of 55,922.22 hectares has green space, barely enough for 12.8 million people. More green spaces are needed, like La Mesa Eco Park and the Las Pinas-Parafiaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area. -STORY BY JHESSET O. ENANO AG

&...Ilk STRATEGIC PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON CONINIIINICATION STORY STORY ....,„,.....siEd INITIATIVES PAGE TOWER sJ...." SFRVICF -m.o..- 25 ,PY.4 toil PAGE I/ DATE Metro green spaces continue to shrink

By Jhesset 0. Enano @JhessetEnanoINQ_ _

Metro Manila's green spaces would continue to shrink in the face of unabated development and a ballooning population, if not dealt with swiftly by the government and citizens alike, the Department of Environ- ment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Monday. The challenge, however, lies in finding every pocket of avail- able space for foliage in the densely populated National Capital Region (NCR). Data from the DENR showed that of its land area of 55,922.22 hectares, only 12452.79 ha of green space—or only 21 per- cent—exist in the NCR. Using the 2015 population IT data, these spaces serve a FOLIAGE LOSS To compensate for the growing loss of foliage in Metro Manila due to rapid whooping 12.8 million people development, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is working to cover every living in the metropolis. bit of available space, even the traffic medians. —INQUIRER PHOTO "If we look at the develop- ment here in the National Capi- tal Region, especially under the gional director. tat and Ecotourism Area. biggest deficits, with only wig 'Build, Build, Build' program, Some of the major green ha green space in a total area of we really need to work double spaces in Metro Manila include Biggest deficits over 3,800 hectares. time to compensate for the loss La Mesa Eco Park in Quezon Out of 16 cities and one town Concerned citizens were [of green spaces]," said Jacque- City and the protected Las in Metro Manila, the capital recently up in arms after the 2- line Caancan, DENR-NCR re- Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habi- Manila suffers one of the ha Arroceros Forest Park in ,

Institutions, such as Ermita, dubbed as the city's Minigardens, pocket parks schools and churches, are also "last lung," was threatened It is looking at the develop- considered lungs for the Metro, with the proposed building of ment of more minigardens and where old trees are also often pocket parks, where trees and a gymnasium. found. But advocates were afforded ornamental plants can provide a Amid rapid development, a sigh of relief—and now hold breathing space for the choking the challenge lies in the delicate on to a promise—after incom- city. balance between development ing Mayor Isko Moreno said he Since the beginning of their and sustainability, Caancan would not allow development said. inside the riverside park. office's greening projects in the The conscious efforts from Other cities that badly need metropolis in 2011, at least 1,110 government agencies and citi- breathing space based on their ha of land have been planted in, zens alike would have to be populations are Caloocan, Mal- with a total of 787 sites across swift and consistent, before abon, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Metro Manila. concrete and steel threaten to Pasay, Pasig, Pateros and San On Tuesday, in celebration engulf the metropolis. Juan, said Arturo Caldercin, of the Philippine Arbor Day, si- "When we park our cars, chief of the DENR-NCR's Pro- multaneous tree-plantings will we always want it under a duction Forest Management be held at the Baseco compound tree's shade," she said. "But Section. in Tondo, Manila, and on the the irony is: Who wants to To compensate for the campuses of Polytechnic Uni- plant a tree?" INQ growing loss of plants due to versity of the Philippines in rapid development, the DENR- Metro Manila. NCR said it was working to cov- er every bit of available space, including the traffic medians. STRATEGIC UPPER AGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES ‘RIEREaM SERVICE Nine 25 JUN 2019

20 Boracay firms get closure notices

ILOILO CITY—The Boracay Inter-Agency Reha- bilitation Management Group has issued notices of violation and closure to at least 20 establish- ments along the resi r isla.' 20-kilometer main road for violating the e.oement rule and having no permits. The local government of Malay, Aklan provice, has given violators a month to demolish illegal structures. mu —STORY BY NESTOR P. BURGOS JR. A IV STRATEGIC PE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION AID STORY STORY INITIATIVES LII PAGE LOWER 'MIMI...Mr SERVICE 25 JUN ?nig

DATE TITLE PAGE I/ 20 cited for violations in Boracay road rehab Building owners issued notices of closure for encroachment, lack of permits

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. the components of the rehabili- @nestorburgosl NQ tation, which President Duterte had ordered after he noted in a ILOILO CITY—Owners of at speech that Boracay had turned least 20 buildings and their into a "cesspool" due to uncon- lessees in Boracay had been is- trolled development and con- sued closure orders for violat- gestion. ing the road easement rule and The road is designed to be 6 for lack of permits as the gov- meters wide with a two-lane ernment continues the rehabil- carriageway and 2-meter wide itation of the resort island in sidewalks. It will also feature Aklan province. loading and unloading bays, . The Boracay Inter-Agency pavers, streetlights and vege- Rehabilitation Management tation. Group (BIARMG) issued the no- tices starting June 17, covering Deadline establishments along the is- Most building owners had land's main road. demolished their structures Mayor Abram Sualog of encroaching on the easement Malay town said the closure or- but the remaining overhang der was issued to establish- structures needed to be re- ments with remaining over- DEMOLISHED Sections of a beachfront hotel in Boracay are moved, according to the hang structures and those lack- demolished over violation of easement rules as the govern- BIARMG. ing mayor's permit. ment continues the environmental rehabilitation of the resort Sualog said building owners The protruding structures, island in Malay, Akl an province. —ROBERT JAWORSKI LABAF1O had been given 30 days to re- he said, are connected to the move the protruding structure roof or the upper levels of or face closure. these buildings. received a notice of closure, olated the road easement. Others with pending appli- said the establishment had al- Structures along the main cations for mayor's permit Road improvement ready been issued a notice of road of Boracay have been re- were ordered to stop operation Structures that encroached compliance following an in- quired to comply with the 12- until they complied with re- on road easement, including spection and measurement meter easement when the is- quirements. those found in the upper floors, during the island's closure to land was closed to tourists on The local government in needed to be removed to ensure tourists last year. The owner, April 26, 2018, for a six-month May closed to establishments, that the placement of electrical who asked not to be identified environmental rehabilitation. either ran by or were catering and other utility posts would not to avoid antagonizing local of- The upgrading and widen- to Chinese and Koreans, for op- be impeded, local officials said. ficials, said the BIARMG had in- ing of the 20-kilometer road erating without business per- But a building owner, who sisted that the overhang still vi- network on the island is one of mits and clearances. I N.Q

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

BEACH STROLL Tourists enjoy strolling along the be ccl, an Boracay I land welcomes following a month rehabilitation from Apr Ito October last year. -MARIANNEDEFIMUDEZ IA UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON eak STORY STORY Ion PAGE LOWER Tamorasos'w lisibessamol. lumerallmour Department of Environment and Natural Resources MANILAPBULLETIN 25 JUN 2019 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INMATIVES SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER DATE Illegal aliens now sidewalk vending in Boracay

By JUN RAINIREZ

KALIBO, Aklan - After a govern- ment task force padlocked foreign- owned and unregistered restaurants and lodging houses in Boracay, many aliens are now into sidewalk vending business. Barangay officials in the island- resort and in this town made the disclosure and requested the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to stop the pro- liferation of these ambulant vendors by arresting and deporting them. They cited the case of a group of foreigners, mostly women, post- ing themselves right at the single arrival-exit point of the island selling swimsuits and other ready-to-wear dresses to local and foreign tour- ists. The same sources reported that foreign nationals, who are reportedly undocumented, are also employed as construction workers. The sources also reported that a group of laborers who are all aliens, had recently completed the con- struction of a commercial building in this capital town depriving local workers of job opportunities. However, locals admitted that the foreign laborers are more skilled and experienced in installing floor tiles, electrical wires, water pipes and other finishing jobs. Barangay officials said BI Com- missioner Jaime Morente should also order immigration officers stationed there to go after the foreign nationals like what their counterparts in Metro Manila have been doing. RI agents arrested 35 Chinese laborers in a construction site in Paratiaque last week, and 34 in Pasay City last year. Morente vowed to conduct a no letup drive against the undesirable foreign visitors. Barangay officials agreed with Morente's pronouncement that the presence of foreign laborers are "robbing our Filipino workers job opportunities." STRATEGIC Adante PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY ..„.„„.„•./••••=e/ INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER Sr.TIV IC L ONETE MollilLIS SA RAW -A AI— 25 JUN 2019

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DENR Region 1, BJMP Balaoan partner sa pagtatanim ng puno sa Arbor day Sanib-puwersa ang Department tao sa pamamagitan ng rehabilitas- of Environment and Natural yon at re-greening sa kapaligiran ay Resources (DENR) Region 1 at Bu- nakasaad sa Proclamation No. 396, reau of Jail Management and Penolo- s. 2003. gy (BJMP) Balaoan District Jail, katu- Alinsunod sa section 8 of Repub- wang ang ilang ahensya ng gobyer- lic Act No. 10176 o mas kilala bilang no, pribadong selctor, eskuwelahan, Arbor Day Act of 2012, "All able bo- civil society group at mga residen- died citizens of the Philippines, who te para tumulong sa pagtatanim ng are at least twelve (12 years of age, mga puno kaalinsabay ng pagdiri- shall be required to plant one (1) wang sa Arbor Day sa Brgy. Basta, tree every year. Aringay, La Union ngayong araw, Hu- 'This is an important venue to nyo 25, 2019. foster our indisposed mother na- Mg Arbor Day sa Pilipinas ay ture", pahayag ni Director Ibballa. ginugunita tuwing ika-Hunyo 25 sa bu- "More hands will yield to greater ong bansa sa pamamagitan rig pag- number of trees to be planted. That tatanim ng mga puno, mga ornamen- is why We (BJMP) are here," ayon tal plant at iba pang aluibidad na may naman kay Warden Lapon. kaugnayan sa nasabing selebrasyon. Inaasahang daan-daang namu- Mg lcahalagahan ng promosyon mungang puno ang itatanim sa mga sa mas masiglang ecosystem sa mga bulubunduking bahagi ng lugat

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PROVINCIAL BOARD RESOLUTION VIZCAYA SAYS NO TO CONTRACT EXTENSION OF MINING FIRM Arguing that lands acquired by tural lands but had not convert- the mining firm OceanaGold ed these for industrial and min- Philippines Inc. at Kasibu town ing use. were designated for agriculture The board also said and not mining, the Nueva Viz- OceanaGold had been audited caya provincial board said in a along with 27 other big mines, resolution that it would no which were suspended or longer entertain appeals to ex- closed by Cimatu's predecessor, tend its financial and technical Gina Lopez. assistance agreement (FTAA) The provincial government that lapsed on June 20. said it was enforcing a Mala- The resolution was trans- cafiang order issued in 2012 that mitted on June 17 to Environ- instituted reforms in the mining ment Secretary. Roy Cimatu by sector. Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Under the order, no new Padilla. mineral agreements would be On June 20, groups opposed entered into until legislation ra- to OceanaGold's mining opera- tionalizing existing revenue tions staged a rally at the sharing schemes and mecha- provincial capitol to support the nisms would have taken effect provincial government's an- But the order said the De- timine stance. partment of Environment and A The FTAA is a 25-year agree- Natural Resources might "con- ment that allowed OceanaGold tinue to grant and issue explo- to develop and exploit gold re- ration permits under existing serves in its 975-hectare mine laws, rules and guidelines ...and area. The agreement is renew- also review existing mining able for another 25 years. contracts and agreements for Citing a 2017 position paper possible renegotiation" but on environmental justice drawn this must be "mutually accept- up by the provincial govern- able to the government and the ment, the board said mining contractor." —VINCENT OceanaGold acquired agricul- CABREZA INQ e:lal STRATIX;IC UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL11= CARTOON COMMUNICATION 13( STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER um...... T SERVICE N•••••••••••

TITIE PAGE I/ 25 „VP 2019 OceanaGold allowed to operate with expired FTAA

By LOUISE MAUREEN SIMEON newal prior to the expiration of its FTAA and pending the of its FTAA on June 20. confirmation of its renewal. The government has al- "The application for re- The renewal of the FTAA lowed the local unit of Aus- newal was already endorsed will allow the company to tralian mining firm Oceana- by the DENR secretary to continue operating the Di- Gold to continue operating the Office of the President," dipio gold and copper mine in Nueva Vizcaya even with Moncano said. for another 25 years. an expired financial and tech- Moncano cited a a provi- Environmental advocates nical assistance agreement sion in the Administrative are questioning the decision (FTAA) and a restraining Code which states that the ex- of the Department of Envi- order from the province itself. isting license shall not expire ronment and Natural Re- Based on documents ob- until the application shall sources amid a subsequent tained by The STAR, Mines have been finally determined advisory issued by the pro- and Geosciences Bureau di- by the agency. vincial government to re- rector Wilfredo Moncano has On June 13, OceanaGold strain the operations of the allowed OceanaGold Philip- requested for a written con- mine in Kasibu town. pines to continue operating, firmation that it be allowed Kalikasan People's Net- arguing that the company to continue its mining op- work for the Environment filed its application for re erations beyond the expiry claimed that OceanaGold

violated various envirott- Nueva Vizcaya Provincial in our country, but then al- mental, socio-economic, and Office, the Municipal Gov- lowing a foreign corporation human rights .regulations ernment• of Kasibu, Nueva like OceanaGold to operate which should warrant the Vizcaya, and the Barangay with impunity," Dulce said. mine's stoppage and not its Didipio Council called for the An FTAA is entered into perpetuation. stoppage of OceanaGold's between a contractor and the "In the first place, the MGB operations upon the termina- government for the large- and the DENR were remiss in tion of the FTAA" citing the scale exploration, develop- its endorsement of Oceana- Environment Code of Nueva ment and utilization of gold, Gold's FTAA renewal ap- Vizcaya and the Local Gov- copper, nickel, chromite, plication to the OP (Office ernment Code. lead, zinc and other miner- of the President) instead of The group is urging the als. It is granted to foreign- cancelling it outright," Ka- MGB and the DENR to with- owned corporations seeking likasan national coordinator draw their endorsement of to operate in the Philippines. Leon Dulce said. OceanaGold's FTAA. The President has the final The Nueva Vizcaya Pro- "It would be hypocritical decision on the grant and vincial Environment and of the Duterte government renewal of an FTAA upon Natural Resources Office, to claim that it wants to stop the endorsement of the MGB Philippine National Police mining for creating a monster and DENR. 25 JUN z019 The Binh 1ime5 DATE UPPER HALF PAGE LOWER HALF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND INITIATIVES SERVICE

DENR gives OceanaGold mining operation permit

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: The He added that the DENR secretary already Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) endorsed the application for renewal to the , of the Department of Environment and Office of the President Natural Resources (DENR) has allowed Moncano in his letter to OGPI also OceanaGold to continue its mining cited Section 18, Chapter 3, Book VII operation in Barangay Didipio pending of Executive Order 272 which supports confirmation of its Financial and Technical OGPI's continuous operation. Assistance Agreement (FAA) renewal. "Where the licensee has made timely In a June 20 letter to Jose Leviste r., and sufficient application for the renewal OceanaGold Philippines Inc. (OGPI) board of a license with reference to any activity chairman, MGB acting director Wilfredo of a continuing nature, the existing license Moncano said that OGPI was allowed to shall not expire until the application shall continue its mining operation despite the have been finally determined by the expiration of its FAA. agency,"Moncano said. "Please be informed that [through] Meanwhile, Mario Ancheta, MGB Region 2 the Memorandum of the same date to the director, said that wtth this confirmation com- DENR Secretary, this office has taken its ing from the higher MGB authority allowing position that OGPI is permitted to continue OGPI to continue with its mining operation, its mining operation pending the approval "what we have to do is to abide by it and of the renewal of FTAA No. 0011 Moncano continue with our stringent monitoring of the e said in his letter. company's mining activity in Didipio." t An FTAA is a permit issued to a multina- "Its now up to President Rodrigo Duterte tional company that will sharetechnology as regards OPGI'sapplication for their FTAA's — and resources to explore and extract minerals renewal for another 25 yearsAncheta said. in the Philippines. In the province, OGPI's application for FAA OceanaGold's FAA 1, issued 25 years ago, renewal was met by a protest rally by anti now only covers 10,266 hectares, including mining advocates and supporters on June 20. 'the currently operating mine in a 925-hectare The protest rally was organized by the Myansa .area in Barangay Didipio in the mineral-rich ng mga Nagkakaisang Vizcayano para sa upland town of Kasibu. Kalikasan (ANVIK) and was attended by some " OGPI, in a letter dated June 13,2019, a Didipio villagers. or copy of which was furnished to Environ- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Nueva ment Secretary Roy Cimatu, requested Vizcaya also passed a resolution opposing L the MGB central office in Quezon City for the renewal of OceanaGold's FM. A petition a "written confirmation that OGPI will be at www.batafis.onfalso seeks the non- permitted to continue its mining opera- renewal of the permit of the Didipio mine. tions beyond June 20, 2019 pending the However, this was rebutted by pro- ,,confirmation of the renewal." mining residents of Nueva Vizcaya in an Montano said allowing OGPI to con- online petition currently hosted at www tinue its mining operation is because prior change.org which calls for President to the expiration of its FTAA on June 20, Duterte to renew OceanaGold's FAA cover- 2019, the application for renewal was filed ing the Didipio operations. ron Oct. 1, 2018. LEANDER C. DOMINGO STRATEGIC INTER PAGE I BANNER ED CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY oakviamilloisiSIN INITIATIVES PAGE SERVICE BusinessMinor 25 JUN 2019

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'Business as usual' at OceanaGold's Didipio mine pending FTAA renewal such as the full withdrawal of social acceptability NVIRONMENTAL groups are criticizing the In an advisory released by Nueva Vizcaya Gov. and a lack of environmental and human rights due continued operation of the Didipio mine of Carlos Padilla on June 20, 2019, the provincial gov- diligence, there is no way a legitimate regulatory OceanaGold in Kasibu,NuevaVizcaya, despite ernment cited Section 19.1 of OceanaGold's FTAA, E body would have let OceanaGold's license renewal the expiration of the company's financial and/or stating that the agreement "shall be terminated application go any further," Dulce said. technical assistance agreement (FTAA). and the parties shall be relieved of their respective Kakasan PNE urged the MGB and DENR to with- Environmental activists under the Ka - obligations" upon the expiration of the contract. drawtheir endorsementofOceanaGold's FTAAtothe likasan-People's Network for the Environment ltfurther enjoinedthe Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Office of the President. The green group asserted (Kalikasan-PNE) led by national coordinator Leon Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philip- that the MGB's legal opinion allowing OceanaGold Dulce said even with the provincial government's pine National Police Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Off ice, to resume operations amid the absence of a mining "advisory" restraining the operations of the mine, the MunicipalGovernment of Kasibu,Nueva Vizcaya, agreement and the clear opposition of LGUs is "pa- OceanaGold continues to operate. and the Barangay Didipio Council to "restrain any tently wrong and irresponsible." BusgirssMium sources confirmed the continued operations of OceanaGold upon the termination of "It would be hypocritical of the Duterte govern- operations at the mine site, saying the Mines and the FTAA" citing the Environment Code of Nueva menttoclaimthatitwantstostopminingfor creating Geosciences Bureau (MGB) under the Department Vizcaya and the Local Government Code. a monster in our country, but then allowing a foreign of Environment and Natural Resources has autho- A dayafter, however, OceanaGold General Man- corporation likeOceanaGoldtooperatewith impunity. rized the company to continue its activities while ager David Waysenta letter tothe Barangay Didipio MGB is even lawyeringforthisforeign mining corpora- awaiting the renewal of its FTAA. The President of Council citing a June 20 letter from MGB, which in ton instead ofdefendingournationalpatrimonyfrom the Philippines has the power to renew the FTAA at turn cites Section 18 of Executive Order 292, or the it. The people of Nueva Vizcaya will definitely take the recommendation of the environmentsecretary. Administrative Code, which states that existing action to halt OceanaGold's operations and demand "Wecondemn the continuing mining operations licenses "shall not expire" until the application for indemnification and otherjustcompensationsfor its of OceanaGold despite its FTAA contract expiration. renewal has been finally determined. various crimes against the people and the environ- OceanaGold clearlyviolatestherecentlegal directives Dulce said, however, "in the first place, the MGB ment," Dulce said. of the Vizcaya provincial government to restrain its and DENRwere remiss in itsendorsementof Oceana- Last month, anti-mining groups that in- mineoperations.Thereare plentyof pending reports, Gold's FTAA renewal application tothe Office of the clude Kalikasan-PNE called on President Duterte complaints, governmentresolutions, andother docu- President instead of canceling it outright." to deny the company's application for FTAA re- mented evidence that OceanaGold violated various "In the dialogues we conducted with the MGB newal on account for the alleged environmen- environmental, socioeconomic, and human-rights and the DENR, these agencies admitted they failed tal destruction and human-rights violations. regulations which should warrant the mine's stop- to put into consideration the body of evidence sub- Jonathan Mayuga and Ceasar Perante page and not its perpetuation," Dulce said. mitted to them over the past year. With concerns STRATEGIC PHILIPPINE DAILY LJiEJ UPPER AGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION hit STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE JSWER ••••••• SERVIC seeRit E INQUIRER 25 JUN 2019

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DID YOU KNOW Proclamation No. 643 signed in 2004 institutionalized the obser- vance of Philippine Arbor Day ev- ery June 25. The proclamation highlighted the need to declare one day each year for the conduct of tree planting activities to promote a healthier ecosystem for people. Arbor Day is observed nationwide through the planting of trees and ornamental plants, and other rele- vant activities. —MARIELLE MEDINA, INQUIRER RESEARCH

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USING ANCESTRAL LAND NIA ASKED TO SECURE IP CONSENT FOR IFUGA0 IRRIGATION PROJECT BAGUIO CITY—A nearly com- project in abeyance pending pleted irrigation project that the issuance of the certifica- would draw water discharged tion precondition (CP)," said by Magat Dam in Isabela Rocky Ngalob, NCIP Cordillera province to farms in Alfonso focal person on matters involv- Lista town, Ifugao province, ing FPIC. must be suspended until its The CP would signify that proponents secure a certifica- the project proponent had com- tion that they had acquired the pleted the FPIC process and had free, prior and informed con- been permitted by the ancestral sent (FPIC) of the residents, the land owners to proceed. National Commission on In- On June n, NCIP Cordillera digenous Peoples (NCIP) said Director Roland Calde wrote last week. NIA Administrator Ricardo The government-funded Al- Visaya, asking him "to suspend fonso Lista pump irrigation or limit its construction activi- project was designed to irrigate ties if possible," until the FPIC 2,300 hectares of farmlands in process was completed. the villages of Santo Domingo, Namnama, Namillangan and Chico project Calupaan. The NIA started work on the It was supposed to have project in 2012, but it under- been commissioned in 2017 but took the FPIC process only in was delayed due to funding March 2017. problems. Its budget ballooned The NCIP took the same ac- from P85o million to P1.31 tion against the China-financed billion in 2018 due to the in- Chico River pump irrigation crease in prices of construction project in the provinces of materials. Kalinga and Cagayan on May 3, for the absence of an FPIC doc- 'Procedural breach' ument. As of May 15 this year, the Weeks after the NIA slowed project was 87 percent com- down work in Kalinga, the NCIP plete, according to National Irri- en banc approved the CP for the gation Administration (NIA) Chico pump project. records. The Indigenous Peoples "Considering the extent of Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act the development already im- No. 8371) requires developers plemented by NIA, our office using ancestral lands to secure deemed it necessary to inform IP consent before they can pro- them of the procedural breach ceed with construction. -KIM- and request them to hold the BERLIE QUITASOL INQ

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Baliwag imposes strict garbage collection policy

THE local government of Balivag, ordinance regarding segrega- landfill collapsed. institutions are required to imple- Bulacan launched a "no segrega- tion of waste and the collection A massive information cam- ment the zero waste program, put tion, no collection of garbage"- schedule. paign has been conducted from up a Materials Recovery Facility policy that will be strictly imple- The policy will be imple- June 6 to 27 to inform people (MRF) and have a private hauler mented in the next few days. mented to ensure that the local of the scheduled time and days for very large volume of waste. This was the directive of Mayor government can also save on of collection in the streets and The use of styro and single-use Ferdie Estrella in- line with the the high cost of waste disposal, barangay (villages), Estrella said. plastics is also prohibited. garbage collection problems the Tagle said. Tagle said residents should Municipal personnel will mon- province faced almost a month ago. It was learned that operations separate the biodegradable from itor whether garbage is properly Municipal administrator En- of Wacuman Landfill stopped non-biodegradable and recy- segregated for it to be picked and rique Tagle said starting on for almost a month, affecting 18 clable and residual and hazard- will be returned and be subject to Friday, they would strictly im- municipalities in Bulacan, as a ous wastes. tickets and fines if notlegregated. plement the new municipal part of the road leading to the Establishments, schools and FREDERICR SILVERIO STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY i NI I IATIVE.S PAGE LOWER SERVICT --mor 25 JUN 2019

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Trash, dried leaves clog drains on EDSA By GH10 ONG remove the trash and leaves from the inlets, but they had a hard time completing the job The rise of water level in a nearby as it was dark and the floodwaters deep. river, trash and leaves clogging the road Nebrija gave assurance the agency's inlets could be blamed for the massive pumping stations are operating and have floods in some parts of EDSA following been upgraded. a heavy downpour on Sunday night, Meanwhile, the Department of Public an official of the Metropolitan Manila Works and Highways (DPVVH) said they Development Authority (MMDA) said. have not missed cleaning and clearing The water level in San Juan River was the drainage system, but the heavy rains above normal at the time, which hindered that flooded Metro Manila on Sunday the floodwaters from flowing into the night were excessive. drainage system toward the river, accord- DPWH-National Capital Region ing to Edison Nebrija, MMDA's EDSA (NCR) director A dor Cartlas said the traffic and discipline zone manager. heavy downpour submerged some parts "Garbage and leaves from trees mostly of the metropolis, such as the tunnels at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City were along EDSA and Lagusnilad in Manila. carried by the flood into the inlets, blocking "There are really sections, such as the the flow of water," Nebrija said yesterday. tunnels, that get flooded because they These instances could have caused are the lowest point and so the rainwater the five-hourflood, snarling traffic along would flow into these tunnels," Carts said. EDSA. He said the floodwaters quickly The MMDA reported that parts of subsided after the rain stopped and the EDSA, particularly the P. Tuazon and Au- pumps immediately activated to flush rora Boulevard tunnels, White Plains and the water out of the tunnel. Santolan, as well as the C-5 area, were "The drainage system was cleaned submerged in knee-deep floodwaters at regularly, but it could not accommodate past 11 p.m. the large volume of water and this cre- "It was very unusual that the flood ated floods. But if you notice, right after took five hours to subside even if the the rain the floodwaters receded in a downpour was about to stop," Nebrija matter of minutes," he added. said, noting floods in these areas usually Canlas said there had been no report recede in an hour. of flooding on Espafia Avenue, one of The agency deployed its enforcers to the flood-prone areas in Metro Manila.

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EDITORYAL RANA, RASURA AT TRAPIK GRABENG trapik ang tinamo ng mga manlalakbay sa EDSA nitong Linggo ng gablat madaling araw ng Lunes makaraang umulan nang kaunti. Masasabing kaunti ang ulan dahil hindi naman siyam-siyam iyon. Subalit, kahit gaano man kakonti ang ulan, hi- narang ng baha sa iba't ibang parte ng EDSA ang libo-libong manlalakbay at natengga ang marami ng hanggang limang oras. Ayon sa mga awtoridad, nagbara ang Hang drai- nage sa EDSA at natagpuang mga basura, kasama ang mga dahon, ang nagsara sa mga ito. Kinamay na lang ng Hang traffic enforcer o tau- han ng Metro Manila Development Authority ang paglilinis sa mga drainage at nakatulong ito nang malaki upang dumaloy ang mga tubig-baha. Doon na lamang nakakalas ang mga sasakyang patungo sa kani-kanilang destinasyon. Ayon mismo sa mga taga-MMDA, malaking usa- pin ang partisipasyon ng mga mamamayan laban sa pagbabara ng mga daluyan ng tubig at hindi sa- pat na may tagalinis ang ahensya. Kung hindi magbabago ang ugaling pagtatapon ng kung saan-saan ng basura, maliit man o malaki, at kakambalan ito ng basura mula sa kalikasan gaya ng mga dahon ng mga puno, maging paulit- ulit lang ang mga pagbaha dahil sa pagbabara ng mga drainage, sapa at ilog. Nangangahulugan nga ito ng partisipasyon ng mga mamamayan na dapat magsagawa ng tamang pagtatapon ng basura at, marahil, pagpapairal ng gaya ng napakagandang kaugalian na "tapat ko, linis ko." Kung walang tulungan laban sa basura, walang sisisihin kundi tayong lahat dahil sa kawalan ng disiplina sa pagtatapon ng basura, kawalan ng pa- kialam sa kapaligiran at kawalan ng pagtutulungan sa pagitan ng mga mamamayan at pamahalaan. STRATEGIC PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY a INITIATIVES SERVICE 25 JUN 2019

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Nestle Philippines joins World Oceans Day clean-ups Several hundred Nestle Philip- pines employees from different work sites joined their colleagues in over 30 countries, participat- ing in the clean-up of coastlines and waterways, in celebration of World Oceans Day under the aus- pices of Nestle Cares, a global employee volunteering program. In Metro Manila, Nestle Philippines employees led by Chairman and CEO Kais Marzou- ki conducted a clean-up and au- dit of collected wastes on Free- dom Island or the Las Pilias- Paratiaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, with the assis- tance of the Department of Envi- Nestle Philippines volunteers from the Makati ronment and Natural Resources Administrative Office with Chairman and CEO Kais and WFF Philippines. Marzouki (standing center left), Director of Finance and "This activity is one of the Control !Mandeep Chhatwal (standing 2nd from right), many ways in which we work to- and SW for Corporate Affairs Ernesto Mascenon gether to help shape a waste-free (standing second from left) during a clean-up and audit future," according to Mr. Mar- of wastes on the shoreline of Freedom Island. zouki. In April 2018, Nestle an- nounced a global commitment the future; helping shape a lem. It is imperative that while that ino% of its packaging will be waste-free future through collec- we look for innovative packag- designed for recycling or tion and recycling; and address- ing solutions among our initia- reusable by 2025. The company's ing consumer beliefs and behav- tives, we also take immediate vision, that none of its waste iors. action to stop leakage into wa- ends up in landfill or as litter, is "We at Nestle Philippines terways and oceans, and find being pursued in three focus ar- are accelerating efforts to find ways to recycle our packaging," eas: developing the packaging of solutions to the plastics prob- Mr. Marzouki said.

Nestle Cares volunteers from the Tanauan factory during a shoreline clean-up in Batangas on World Oceans Day.

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_ 4210/14. Ott Al;%_t.r-,F . Ni Arnel Medina ALAMAT sa 633 divers na lumahok sa sinasabin pinalcamalalcing underwater cleanup sa mutt& sapagkat 1 toneladang basura ang kanilang namilot na malakirig kaba- wasan sa karagatan. Upang mapabilang sa record, kailangang manatili rig 15 minuto ang Ilawat diver. Kaya naman nakaabang ang Guinness adjudicator na si Michael Einpric upang bilangin ang bawat diver na palusong at paahon mula sa ilalirn ng karagatan. Ngunit ayon kay limpric, hindi naman day+ ang pagtatala ng world record ang tanging hangad ng pagtitipon dahil ang guingunahing layunin ng lahat ay ang makatulong sa pagpa-

633 DIVERS, NAICAPULOT NG I TONE- LADANG BASURA SA PINAKAMALAKING UNDERWATER CLEANUP SA MUNDO palinis rig karagatan L 1 I Wir Tagumpay naman silt pareho dahil bukod sa nahigitan nila ang dating world record ay nagawa rin Mlang linisi n mula sa ilalim ng karagatan ang tinatayang 3200 pounds rig basura. Sixty pounds ng nasabing bigat ay dahil sa mga sinulid na nylon na ginagamit Ba pami rig wit.

Ang divers no lumahok sa pinakamalaking underwater cleanup sa manila.

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PAGE LOWER 25 JUN .2019 Department of Environment and Natural Resources MANILAPBULLETIN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER DATE DOE readies circular Pollution control mulled on coal-fed plants "coal stockpile be properly main- By MYRNA M. VELASCO coal operating contracts (COCs); and small-scale coal mining permits and tained," thus it is mandating that "any he Department of Energy all other persons engaged in coal op- hazardous condition in or around such (DOE) is enforcing measures erations," the DOE has stipulated. area shall be immediately reported, for pollution control as well On environmental regulation and appropriate corrective and control as proper handling of coal and pollution control, the energy measures shall be implemented." Tfrom the mines to the time that they department specified that dust con- Moreover, entities involved in coal- are brought to power stations to fuel trol systems, such as water spray, underpinned ventures will also need electricity generation. sprinkler, misting machine, dust ar- to "construct and maintain settling For power plant owners and op- rester or cover "to prevent emission pond with appropriate drainage sys- erators, one of the main requirements of fugitive coal dust" be provided and tem to capture run-off coal and other being pushed by the department is installed. . operational spoils." "the roofing or covered stockpiling" The department -further empha- Project operators and facility of coal being stored at their yards or sized that "truck's cargo box shall be owners are similarly directed to "en- project sites. properly secured to prevent escape of sure that appropriate measures are A draft DOE circular has recently fugitive coal dust'and/or coal spillages implemented to prevent emission of been routed to the industry players along the road." foul order - as nuisance - from coal and stakeholders setting forth guide- Another policy to be administered stockpile." lines on coal handling, transport, stor- is the installation of "tire bath" in In the transport of coat - either age and distribution of coal - which is front or near the exit gate "to rinse by trucks or via shipping vessels at currently the dominant fuel for power truck tires to prevent dust/mud from sea, the DOE circular is also enforc- generation in the country being carried and scattered along ing measures on efficient and secure "This Circular shall apply to all access roads and other areas of op- handling of the commodity coal traders, coal logistics service erations." And in the discharge or unload- providers, coal end-users, holders of The DOE likewise averred that ing of coal at port areas, the de-

partment further prescribed that "only authorized personnel shall be allowed to perform coal unloading" and coal spillages must primarily be prevented. Specifically on coal handling and storage, the DOE edict propounds that coal facility operators shall "construct and maintain covered warehouse to appropriately store coal;" and that the storage shall be in a distinct area "that has controls to prevent washout and contamination." Facility operators are likewise re- quired to "install concrete perimeter fence to prevent propagation of dust and other operational spoils to its neighboring establishments." The DOE pointed out these-set of regulations are in line with its man- date as a supervising agency to the industry and based on the prescrip- tions of Presidential Decree 972 or the prevailing "Coal Development Act" of the country.

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Abdicating, have encouraged imaginative thinking and new approaches. The Trump plan plugs again, on climate leaks. (Perversely, it could also in some cases increase emissions by making power The New York Times editorial plants more efficient and therefore able to The contrast could not have been more pronounced. run longer.) On Tuesday, New York's governor and legislative leaders Wheeler says that Obama engaged in agreed on an aggressive program to eliminate by midcen- statutory overreach and that Wheeler's tury emissions of most of the greenhouse gases respon- narrow reading of his authority under the sible for global warming. The very next day, the Trump Clean Air Act is the only legally defensible administration repudiated yet another of former President one. The act, he says, gives the EPA power Barack Obama's initiatives aimed at reducing those same to fix individual plants, not upgrade the grid emissions. One day, Albany seizes a commanding role in as a whole. Many others beg to differ, and at- the fight against climate change. The next, Washington torneys general in New York, California and scuttles from the field of battle, abandoning any pretense Other states, plus a host of environmental of taking seriously this most pressing of global issues. groups, plan to sue on the grounds that the In 2017, at a campaign stop in Huntsville, Alabama, Trump rule artificially narrows what they President Donald Trump pledged to make Obama's Clean believe is the agency's authority to adopt a Power Plan 'boom, gone." And so it was on Wednesday, systemwide approach to emissions control. when Andrew Wheeler, the former coal lobbyist who It is entirely possible, indeed likely, now runs the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled that the question of what the EPA can and a lily-livered replacement plan called the Affordable cannot do will eventually come before the Clean Energy rule. The Obama rule, which contained Supreme Court in what Jody Freeman, strict emissions limits, would have forced the closing of a professor and environmental expert at many of America's old coal-fired power plants; made Harvard University has predicted will be "a new ones impossible without advanced technology; and blockbuster" case. Brett Kavanaugh, whose significantly reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, the appointment has strengthened the court's , main greenhouse gas. conservative wing, once described the Clean The Trump rule, by contrast, asks little of the coal Air Act as a "thin statute," not designed industry will keep some plants in business and will save with greenhouse gases and climate change jobs. But not for much longer. The industry is already on in mind. The great fear among climate activ- ists is that by upholding Wheeler's cramped life support, battered by market forceb — view of the agency's authority the court cheaper natural gas, the rapid growth in could effectively foreclose more aggressive renewable fuels — and by intense public pressure from the likes of Michael Bloom- action by the EPA in the future. berg, who recently pledged $500 million of - The demolition job on the Obama climate legacy con- his fortune to moving the electric power tinues: the rules limiting methane emissions from oil and industry away from all fossil fuels, not just gas wells, the climate agreement in Paris, now the clean coal but natural gas. , energy plan. Next on the hit list? Probably Obama's fuel Left to his own devices, Trump would i economy standards. A rule now in the making would simply have killed the Obama plan and 1 essentially freeze those standards at about 37 mpg, well been done with it. But he couldn't. As a ° short of the 54.5 mpg Obama ordained near the end of his result of a Supreme Court decision in 2007, t, administration. Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection I Agency and a later administrative action In this case, however, the intended beneficiary of the known as the endangerment finding, the rollback, the automobile industry, is far from enthusiastic. i A new rule would invite a legal challenge from California EPA is obliged to regulate carbon dioxide and 13 other states that can now set their own mileage stan- emissions under the Clean Air Act. What dards and that would insist on keeping those standards in the new rule does is redefine how tough place. That, in turn, raises the real possibility of a bifurcated the agency will be in carrying out that duty. auto market, a nightmare for manufacturers that would The Obama administration interpreted have to make different vehicles for two markets. Will its authority under the act ambitiously. Its Trump persist in a strategy that even the affected industry Clean Power Plan set state-by-state emis- has said it doesn't want? Our money is on litigation. This sions limits and authorized states and utili- president has shown little appetite for negotiation. ties to engage in a range of strategies to meet those targets — capturing carbon emissions and storing them underground, emissions trading, fuel switching (replacing coal with cleaner natural gas and with renewables like wind and solar) — anything to wean their economies off coaland diversify the energy supply. The Trump plan jettisons the state limits and asks only for modest retrofits at individual plants. To put it simply: The Obama plan would