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D.E.N.R. BATS FOR LAW AUTHORIZING FOREST RANGERS' USE OF FIREARMS BY JONATHAN L. MAYUGA in various parts of the country. Il- @jonlmayuga legal logging syndicates are usu- ally armed with long firearms and HE Department of Environ- would often target forest protec- ment and Natural Resources tion officers, or forest rangers who T(DENR) is asking lawmakers stand in their way. to pass a law authorizing forest pro- According to Cimatu, the DENR tection officers, or forest rangers, to will continue to pursue the creation bear firearms to protect themselves of an enforcement bureau that will against "armed and dangerous" en- protect the DENR's forest protec- vironmental criminals. tion officers and forest rangers who This, even as the DENR mourns should be hailed as "environmental the killing of four DENR forest rang- heroes" for their sacrifices to protect ers and informants whom Cimatu the environment. said, "bravely put their lives on the In his year-end assessment of line to protect our forests." the agency's performance, Envi- He said despite the killings, ronment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu the DENR remains steadfast in its said the year 2019 was a good year campaign against illegal logging for the DENR as he highlighted the and other environmental crimes effort to rehabilitate Bay, in the forests. which started on January 26 this "It is during these times that year with the launching of "Battle we want you to join us in our call for Manila Bay." to protect our hardworking DENR The historic event, which kicked workers. Help us inform every off withaunitywalkinsupport of the Filipino that the DENR.will not be rehabilitation of the historic bay in cowed," he said in his message read Manila, triggered the start of anon- by DENR Undersecretary Benny D. stop cleaning effortby the DENRand Antiporda during a year-end per- various governmentagencies around forrhance assessment at the confer- the Manila Bay Area. ence hall on Monday. "Our efforts include not only the In Palawan, the DENR in Mi- removal of solid wastes from rivers maropa region had completed the and esteros through our hardwork- necessary training in preparation ing volunteers, estero rangers and for the arming of forest protection partner government and private officers and forest rangers patrol- agencies, but also the resettlement ling the region's thick forests. of illegal settler families along the Arming forest protection offi- rivers and creeks and the closure of cers and forest rangers, hopefully, erring establishments around the will deter illegal logging activities Manila Bay Area," he said.

&S.RA STRATEGIC EARNER E0110111M GAPIGON COMMUNICATION PAGE I Holy STORY INITIATIVES PAGE R SERVICE fiX•1111 1 2 - 19-19 Lc DA II NATIONAL SCIENTIST SEES OPENING FOR CRONYISM SCRAPPING WATER DEALS, WAIVING AWARD DANGEROUS, ECONOMIST WARNS

By Doris Dumlao-Abadilla rape tomorrow?" he said in the @Philbizwatcher research note, which he emailed

to the Inquirer on Wednesday. The is sliding into a Fabella said the concession-

dark path where it may be unable aires, under tremendous duress, to attract new investors—except caved in and offered to waive the for "cronies"—if the government damages assessed in their favor. could easily disregard the sanctity of contracts and get away with it, Winning an arm according to an economist who is "The government has not also a national scientist tuned down on the fire and brim- Raul Fabella, professor stone rhetoric. Why should it? It emeritus at the University of the has won a hand; now it wants an Raul Fabella —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Philippines' School of Econom- arm," he said. ics, also said the offer of water Irked by the arbitral award concessionaires Maynilad Water and recent water supply prob- lapse in 2022. Services Inc. and Manila Water lems, President Duterte has Among the "onerous" con- Co. Inc. to waive about Pu billion threatened to arrest officials of tract provisions cited by the De- in combined arbitral awards per- the concessionaires and charge partment of Justice (DOD were taining to their water tariff dis- them with economic sabotage on those that bar the government pute with the regulator was "no the grounds that the contracts from interfering in setting wa- solution," even if accepted. were onerous and disadvanta- ter rates and allow the conces- It would, in fact, be a dan- geous to the public. sionaires to seek compensation gerous precedent, he said. He has also threatened to in an arbitration court for losses "One cannot blame the con- take over the assets of Maynilad should the government prevent cessionaires for trying to buy and Manila Water. it from raising tariffs. peace—even if it is really cem- On orders from the Presi- Mr. Duterte's rants have etery peace. The problem is that dent, the regulator, Metropoli- caused a massive sell-off of shares the government reneged on its tan Waterworks and Sewerage of Manila Water, Maynilad's key obligation in the contract (the tax System (MWSS), canceled the investors Metro Pacific Invest- holiday and the arbitral court be- 15-year extension of the water ments Corp. and DMCI Holdings, ing integral parts of the contract) concessions that was approved and Manila Water's parent com- and must pay the assessment un- during the term of President Glo- pany Ayala Corp. der the rule of law!" Fabella said. ria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2009. The DOJ and the Department "If the government gets The 25-year water distribu- of Finance recently assured the away with raping a contract tion contracts with Maynilad public that they would not revoke now, what's to prevent a repeat and Manila Water were set to the water concession agreements STRATEGIC .41 PAGE I %AMOR EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY L INITIATIVES PAGE LO ImS...... arMIN.111" SERVICE 2-19-19 rAc.r If DATE

but only renegotiate for better government pay Piatco (Philip- terms. nese, on bulk-water provision. pine International Air Terminals "The best water distribution Fabella found it ludicrous Co.) P24 billion [as of March network cannot deliver water if that the concession contracts 2016] for unlawful expropria- the dams are empty and long- that had served Metro Manila tion," the economist said. planned impoundment projects well for the last two decades He was referring to the high remain plans," he said. were now "onerous" and "dis- court ruling, which became final "It was the intransigence of advantageous" to Mr. Duterte. and executory in 2016, ordering the water regulator, MWSS, to- the government to pay Piatco ward the repeated offers by the Sanctity of contract at least $531.2 million (P24.5 bil- concessionaires to construct wa- "The sanctity of the contract lion) in just compensation plus ter-security projects (example: is onerous to the government? interest as of this month for the delayed Cardona Water treat- Onerous to violators, yes, and it construction of the controversial ment and the Tayabasan East better be or there is no contract. Ninoy Aquino International Air- Water Source; the aborted Kali- That the New Clark City con- port Terminal 3. wa Low Intake and Kaliwa Long cession contract has no similar "Who will invest long-term if Term Source projects) because it onerous provisions is irrelevant: the govenunent can expropriate (MWSS) entertained the idea that the Metro Manila concession at will? What private banks will it will deliver these projects itself" contracts were signed in 1997 make loans? Only the cronies! Fabella warned that the not in 2014; the concessionaires Marcos cronies, recall, brought country might be heading on made a risky bet in 1997 not in the country to its knees. The eco- the same path as Venezuela, 2014!" Fabella wrote. nomic team's first duty on com- ruled by populist leaders Hugo "So if there is a renegotiation petitiveness is to plug the hole Chavez (1999-2013) and Nicolas and revision, the government not cosmetize it," Fabella said. Madura (2013 to date). must pay the concessionaires for "Autocrats Hugo Chavez their loss and the amount must MWSS to blame and successor Nicolas Madu- be negotiated not imposed!" On the water crisis in ra made life impossible for the Fabella said the government March, he said it was the gov- market players and investors had implicitly accepted the le- ernment itself, through the who promptly packed their bags gitimacy of the Singapore arbi- MWSS, that was to blame. for other climes. This emptied tral court. Had the ruling been Fabella believed that even the supermarket shelves and favorable, the same government the administration was partly brought inflation rate to 53 mil- would have hailed it as fair and to blame, citing its "waffled" lion percent from 2016! Maduro based on the rule of law, it added. stance on public-private part- is waging a war against his own "Lest we forget, our own nerships versus official devel- people. No wonder Venezuelans Supreme Court decided in 2015 opment assistance, as well as ravaged by hunger started for with finality that the Philippine between the Japanese and Chi- the border," he said. INCE 6 STRATEGIC anin .4A piAts Urf PAGE I BANNER EtMoRIAI cAlOGoN COMMUNICATION MUM STORY INITIATIVES AGE IWEN SFRVICE MO 1.14 ,12- 19 -19 OAR

COUNTERING ALLEGATIONS MANIA WATER :113B SPENT IN 5 YEARS NOT REIMBURSED BY MWSS

Manila Water Co. Inc. on Wednes- collected more than it has spent," five-year rate rebasing period day said it had spent P13 billion the Ayala group subsidiary said that ended in zo18. over the past five years in its in a statement "Manila Water Manila Water officials said concession area in parts of Metro has always spent more than the the company would no longer Manila and Rizal province, which amount of water rates it has col- pursue the compensation. It the Metropolitan Waterworks lected from consumers, as deter- also agreed not to proceed with and Sewerage System (MWSS) mined by the MWSS." the MWSS-approved water rate had yet to reimburse, countering The P13 billion is on top of increases scheduled for Jan. 1. allegations that the company had the P7.39 billion that an inter- Before Malacailang threat- been recovering investments for national arbitral panel awarded ened to scrap the concession • unfinished projects. to Manila Water because the agreement, or its extension "There has not been any five- MWSS did not allow the com- from 2022 to 2037, Manila Wa- year period when Manila Water pany to increase rates in the ter said it had lined up invest-

ments totaling Pu5 billion over To complete its sewerage have been 'efficiently and pru- the next 18 years for its sewer- program until zor, Maynilad dently incurred,— the conces- age program alone. needs to lay about soo kilome- sionaire said. ters more of pipes on public and "This reimbursement of `Excess investment' private roads. expenditures is not done on a In September, Manila Water "As a contractor of the daily basis [because doing that] chief operating officer Abelardo MWSS under the concession would be so difficult, particu- Basilio said that since 1997 when agreement, Manila Water gets larly as the MWSS pays Manila the company took over the east from the MWSS a fee consisting Water not with its owns funds zone, it had spent P38.5 billion on primarily of reimbursement for but with the water rates col- wastewater programs from col- 'operating, capital maintenance lected from consumers in the lections of only P36.5 billion, or an and investment expenditures' east zone," it added. —RONNEL W. "excess investment" of Pi.6 billion. that the MWSS determined to DOMINGO INQ &‘,311k STRATEGIC IMPfilaa COMMUNICATION PAGE I RANCOR RITIORIM CARTOON too it STORY STORY INITIATIVES .maro•M SERVICE

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STOCK MARKET LISTED FIRMS IN WATER ROW REBOUND By Doris Durniso-Abadilla Finance and of Justice are now the water concessionaires. @Philbizwatcher saying that they would only re- Overall, the main-share negotiate for better terms. Philippine Stock Exchange in- Shares of beleaguered Manila "I think the government dex (PSEi) ended 3.22 points, or Water Co. Inc. (MWC) rebound- realized the damage done to 0.04 percent, higher to close at ed for the first time in 12 trad- SSS (Social Security System) 7,733.67. However, foreigners ing days on Wednesday as the and GSIS (Government Service remained net sellers, resulting government's rhetoric changed Insurance System) due to the in a net outflow of about Pi bil- to renegotiation from the pre- decline in price of Ayala Corp., lion for the day. vious threat of outright revoca- DMCI, MPIC and MWC," the "The PSEi is barely staying tion of contract. broker said. above the 7,700 support level Shares of MWC rebounded It was earlier reported that as foreign investors continue by 1447 percent while shares of the state-run pension funds to exit our market. Trading vol- Metro Pacific Investments Corp. had suffered about P4 billion umes have picked up this week (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings, the in reduced market valuation although it may have more to key shareholders of Maynilad of equity position amid the wa- do with the volatility in the Water Services Inc., also both ter row. companies involved with our rose by more than 9 percent. At its closing price of P6.85 water concessionaires rather "There's some relief as the a share, MWC is now trading than investors trying to get in government said the concession- above its P6.50 initial public before the holidays. We may aires wonl be replaced," a veter- offering price in 2005. Howev- see it continue to lower to- an broker said. er, it is still down by nearly 64 ward the end of the week," said After President Duterte earli- percent from its closing price of Christopher Mangun, head of er threatened to revoke the wa- Pi8.98 a share on Dec. 2, or be- research at local stock broker- ter contracts, the departments of fore Mr. Duterte ranted against age AAA Equities. INQ

STRATEGIC I I I I I COMMUNICATION rAGE I BANNER EDIIORIAl CARTOON I INITIAI I YES STORY STORY PAGF .11,11 \11 I. I. MANIWBULLETIN THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER

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Water level at Angat Dam may not reach year-end target of 212 meters By ELDLYN DE VERA-RUIZ Board (NWRB) Executive Director lands in Bulacan and Pampanga from 5 Sevillo David Jr. said on Wednesday. cms to 10 ems or 864 MLD, beginning ter supply interrup- Reaching the desired level of Angat January 1, 2020, David said. lions in Metro Manila are Dam will ensure the availability of suf - "It is possible (that water supply feared to continue until ficient water for domestic and irriga- interruptions will continue) consider- Wthe dry season of 2020 tion uses until the chy season of 2020. ing the allocation (for domestic use) as Angat Dam may no longer reach its Dry season in the Philippines is usually coming from Angat Dam is reduced," end-of-year normal high water level from December to May. he pointed out. of 212 meters. NWRB will likely continue the al- Maynilad and Manila Water cur- The water level of Angat Dam location of 40 cubic meters per second rently serve about 16.5 million con- continued to gradually increase due to (cms) or 3,450 million liters per day sumers in Metro Manila and some parts some rains since the start of December, (MLD) of raw water to the Metro- of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan. but its current level remains below the politan Waterworks and Sewerage Several areas in Metro Manila and 2122meter target by year-end. System (MWSS) for distribution to nearby provinces have been experi- The latest monitoring of the Phil- water concessionaires Maynilad and encing water service disruptions since ippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Manila Water in January 2020, David October 24 owing to Angat Dam's Astronomical Services Administration said. This will still be lower than the lower-than-usual water leveL (PAGASA) showed that Angat Dam's normal allocation for domestic use of David said the NWRB was still man- water level was slightly up from197.22 46-48 cms. aging water releases by not giving the meters last Tuesday to 197.49 meters "This can change if there will be normal allocation. on Wednesday. significant increase in the level of Angat In case there is a need to augment "Based on the projections, (Angat Dam this month," he added. water source at Angat Dam, David ear- Dam's target level) might not be at- MWSS has been allocated 40 cms of lier said that NWRB will be "preparing tained this year. That is the reason of raw water since September 1, 2019. some deepwells within Metro Manila reduced allocation to manage supply Meanwhile, NWRB will increase the and cloud seeding operations are on in the dam," National Water Resources water allocation for irrigation of farm- standby." STruvrectc COMMUNICATION PPR PAGE I WANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY SIM INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER .811 11111tm11.e 0.1." SERVICE 12- 19-19

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Review of water concessions long overdue Pernia By CZERIZA VALENCIA Maynilad are kind of disadvanta- arbitral court in 2017 and deferred Amid these developments, both disadvantageous provisions in the conces- geous. In 1997, the government was the rate increase originally sched- sides have expressed willingness sion agreements were the prohibition on Investor sentiment is unlikely as the mercy of investors because uled for next year. to negotiate new concession agree- government interference on the setting of to be dampened by the revision of our economy was considered a high This decision was reached in the ments to remove "onerous previ- water rates, allowing water concession- contracts of Metro Manila water risk economy; he said ma briefing wake of accusations b'y President sions in the concession deals." aires to pass on their corporate income concessionaires with the govern- yesterday. Duterte that the firms have been " I think the most objectionable tax to consumers, and the long concession ment according to the National Eco- "In 2009 and 2010, the economy been benefit-Sig too much from dis- thing there is the great rush in ex- period of 25'years. nomic and Development Authority was doing better so there was no advantageous contracts forged with tending the concession a veeme,nt "Maybe that should be shorter, maybe (NEDA). need to continue with the condi- past administrations. so early, 13 years before tie expiry 15 years," he said. "Those are the standout Socioeconomic Planning Secre- tions in the concessioriagreement. The government, through The of the end of the contract which is items." tary and NE-DA chief Ernesto Per- They should have really revisited Metropolitan Waterworks and 2022 and extending it by another 15 Share prices water concessionaires nia said the contracts of Maynilad the concession agreements and the Sewerage System (MWSS), had years to 2037," said Pernia. have' taken a hit, as the future of their Water Services Inc. and Manila changed the terribly onerous con- also revoked the extension of the "There was no renegotiation Or concession agreements continue to hang Water Co. Inc. should have been ditions in the contract I think that contracts of the two concession- review of the concession agreements in the balance. reviewed a decade ago to suit the would have been more prudent," aires from 2022 to 2037, a move that before there were extended. So I'm This weakens the investment position improving economic conditions in he added. the firms said alarmed investors sure the, investors will understand of state-run pension funds Government the country. The country's two largest water and puts pressure on their financial that there is something fishy , Service Insurance System (G515) and So- "Clear-thinking investors would concessionaires recently agreed viability. something wrong with how conces- cial Security System (555). understand that water concession to drop more than P10 billion in Duterte had also threatened the sion agreements were handled," he "1 guess there is a set back on those agreement between the Philippine compensation claims from the gov- two firms with a military takeover added. investments but it will recover. They will government with Manila Water and ernment as granted by a Singapore of their operations. Pent noted that among the most recover in time with the adjustments that will be made especially now that the concessionaires are contrite. They have apologized and they will renegotiate for new contracts," said Pernia. He acknowledged, however, that with the prevailing uncertainties on the future of the water contracts, there will be in- creased pressure on water security next year is the tail end effects of El Nitio will be felt in the summer. "There is a possible water shortage in the summer months especially given that the concessionaires are now -set back in their plans," he said. "Or maybe they will be pushed for- ward, they will be pressures to deliver better service in 2020. NEDA Undersecretary Adoration Na- varro said there will be a special meeting between NEDA and the National Water . Resources Board (NWRB) tomorrow to discuss the water shortage in Angat Dam. "We are viewing this as one of the tail end effects of the El Nino phenomenon. We will engage agencies to come up with interventions," she said. "The things were looking at is pos- sibly curtailing of supply to irrigation activities and also possibly curtailing of supply to household sector. But the first supply priority is potable water supply to households," she added.

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NEDA: Water shortage may h nder growth

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE viewed, upon President Rodrigo Duterte's orders, the concession agreements that Manila Water POSSIBLE water shortage next summer and Maynilad signed with the is seen to hinder the growth of the Metropolitan Waterworks and hilippine economy in 2020, the National Sewerage System (MWSS) in 1997 Ap and found "disadvantageous" pro- Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) visions in them. warned on Wednesday. One such provision is the In a year-end briefing at his set back in their plans. Or... maybe prohibition against government agency's headquarters in they'll be pressured to deliver bet- interference in rate-setting. An- City, Socioeconomic Planning ter [services] in the coming year," other is for hylemnity in case of Secretary Ernesto Pemia said such referring to Manila Water Co. Inc. such interference. a supply crunch was possible, and Maynilad Water Services Inc. But Adoracion Navarro, "especially given that the [water] His remarks came after the NEDA undersecretary for the concessionaires are now.. .kind of Department of Justice (Doi) re- Regional Development Croup,

stressed that a supply shortage government and the water firms. product (GDP) grew to 6.2 percent would have little effect on the "It's because of the Angat Dam's year-on-year in the third quarter. economy, since the country was water level. We are not reaching He also said October-to-Decem- now experiencing the tail end of the expected water level by rear- ber growth would get a 'big boost" the El Niiio phenomenon. end. fit's] not because of the water from consumer spending which "It will have minimal impact... concessionaires," she added. accounts for two-thirds of GDP, unlike during the peak of the El The National Water Resources attributing it to holiday bonuses Nitio," Navarro said in an in- Board has set a 212-meter target and remittances from overseas terview. "In August, we already by end-2019 to meet the water Filipino workers. declared that the El Niiio phe- supply and irrigation requirements According to the NEDA chief, be- nomenon had ended.... Tail-end of Metro Manila and neighboring sides the possible water shortage, effects lang Ito (These are only provinces until next summer. other risks to economic growth are tail-end effects)." Also during the briefing Pemia the trade war between the United She also said the possible short- said the government's growth tar- States and China, natural disasters, age had nothing to do with the on- get of 6 to 6.5 percent for 2019 was volatility in oil prices, and possible going legal squabble between the "achievable," as gross domestic delays in infrastructure projects. 0STRATEGIC LII COMMUNICATION WU PER et./ PAGE 1 BANNER EINTORIM CARTOON STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER . SERVICE a 12-i9-79 TIRE ; rAGr If DATE

WATER LACK, DELAYED INFRA IMPERIL GROWTH BY CAI U. ORDINARIO and Planning Rosemarie G. Edillon Iff @caiordinario said private consumption will re- main the strength of the Philippine ATER shortage and delayed economy. infrastructure projects are Edillon said the growth of the Wconsidered threats to the domestic economy fueled by con- country's economic performance sumption will "more than make up" next year, according to the National for external headwinds, such as the Economicand Development Author- US-China trade tensions. ity (Neda). "Private consumption will be re- However, SocioeconomicPlanning ally robust given the slow inflation, Secretary Ernesto Pernia said growth especially food inflation, [and] the will remain robust and the controversy government consumption, as we created by the review of the conces- have seen, showed there was re* sion agreement with two privatecom- a catchup," Edillon said. "We know panies will not dampen the appetite that external demand is [quite] slow of investors in the country. but domestic demand will morethan "Of course, thetrade war between make up for it." the US and China is still continuing Neda Undersecretaryfor Regional although it has softened a bit and Development Adoracion M. Navarro we hope it would soften further. And said the National Water Resources then of course [there's] our natural Board (NWRB) will meet this week to disasters which are a common phe- discuss the water shortage in Angat nomenon in the Philippines [includ- Dam. ing a] possible water shortage in the The NWRB, is responsible for all summer months," Pernia said. water resources in the Philippines. The Neda chief remains optimis- It coordinates and regulates water- tic that the full-year growth target related activities in the country that of 6 percent to 6.5 percent can be affect the physical environment and achieved. GDP growth in the fourth economy. qua rtercould a Isoaverage 6.7 percent. Navarro said the water shortage is In 2020, Pernia said the GDP part ofthetail end effectsofthe El Nino growth target of 6.5 tic* 7.5 percent phenomenon this year. The meeting will also be achievable despite the aims to engage agencies, especially headwinds he cited. . those in charge of food and water se- Neda Undersecretary for Policy curity, to create interventions. STRATEGIC S/I LI CLI COMMUNICATION UPPER PAGE I BANNER EINTORIAl CARTOON STORY STORY immiRMINE= INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER Rata" SERVICE 12-19=-MI 11ILE: PAGE' DATE

Water interruptions sa Metro Manila, magliapatuloll Ni ELLALYN DE VEFtA-RUIZ

Pinangangambahangmagpapatuloy Dam ay bahagyang tumaas mula 197.22 ang water supply interruptions sa Metro meters nitong Manes sa 197.49 nitong Manila hanggang sa dry season ng 2020 Miyerkules. dahil maaaring hindi na maaabot ng Mg maabot ang desired level Angat Dam ang end-of-year normal ay magtitiyak na mayroong sapat na high water level nito na 212 meters. tubig para magamit ng lcabahayan at Patuloy na bumababa ang water level sa irigasyon hanggang sa dry season ng sa Angat Dam simula ng pumasok ang 2020. Mg thy season sa Pilipinas ay mula Disyembre, ngunit ang kasalukuyang Disyembre hanggang Mayo. lebel nito ay nananatiling nasa mababa "It is possible (that water supply sa 212-meter target sa pag-tatapos ng interruptions will continue) considering taon. the allocation (for domestic use) coming Batay sa monitoring ng Philippine from Angat Dam is reduced," sinabi ni Atmospheric, Geophysical and National Water Resources Board (NWRB) Astronomical Services Administration Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. (PAGASA), ang water level ng Angat nitong Miyerkules. SCICATEGIC =N1:11u.„0--1-1,i9„1-ciffamtlitmigeL--t I I I I I COMMUNICATION PAGE I BANNER ED11011Al CARTOON InrnArivEs STORY SIONY war „ zmilvicc MANILMAULLETIN PAGE THE, NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER ft 19- tg (WY PAGE 1/ ( ) AYE Waste-to-Energy Act pushed to help solve garbage crisis

By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA WTE refers to the energy re- he believes that WTE projects would covered from waste, usually the benefit the country in terms of a tor on Wednesday conversion of non-recyclable waste more secure energy system while . renewed his push for the materials into usable heat, elec- addressing the issue of waste man- passage of the measure tricity or fuel through a variety of agement system. Asenathat would convert waste processes. The senator made the pitch for to energy, believing this would help "Meeting our growing power the proposed Waste-to-Energy Act solve the country's perennial gar- demand without sacrificing our en- following Environment Secretary bage problem. vironment and draining our natural Roy Cimatu's warning that the Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is resources need a delicate balancing country, particularly Metro Manila, referring to Senate Bill No. 363 or act," Gatchalian said. is now in the middle of a garbage the Waste-to-Energy Act (WTE Act) "With the passage of the WTE crisis. which, he said, will encourage the bill, the country will be able to Gatchalian said Filipinos should development of new technologies maximize the energy we can pro- heed the call for proper waste man- in the treatment and _disposal of duce from waste, be it in the form agement and disposal, especially solid waste. of electricity, fuel, or gas, and in the during the holidays. Citing Cimatu, The measure, he said, also sup- process address the waste problem," Gatchalian said thabFilipinos gener- ports the expansion of bioenergy the senator explained. ate more waste during the holidays towards a sustainable energy en- Gatchalian, who chairs the Sen- than any other time of the year. vironment. ate Committee on Energy, also said According to Gatchalian, the

projected waste generation in the coun- try, iased on the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) data, show that the yearly amount of

waste is expected to increase from 14.66 metric tons in 2014 to 16.63 met- ric tons in 2020 and up to 20.51 metric tons in 2030. STRATEGIC EARNER COMMUNICATION PAGE I EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY INITIATIVES .0.11111.1111." SERVICE .111111111~ Standard 112 4_09 - 19

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DIG: is best in managing waste By Joel E. Zurbano The city chief executive noted that in 2017, Makati ranked 14th in the said T, HE City of Makati was ranked first among compliant local assessment, and then jumped 10 spots government units in Metro Manila in clearing creeks and to fourth place last year, which merited the 2018 "Most Improved LGU" Award waterways, and in managing solid and liquid waste aimed from DILG National Capital Region. at rehabilitating Manila Bay and its related water systems. This year, Makati bested 16 other lo- calities in the NCR, garnering a total score of 96.4 percent. The recognition came from the De- she was thankful that all the hard work of "This kind of validation inspires partment of the Interior and Local Gov- the city to Clean up its waterways and ful- the city government and personnel to ernment, which monitors LGUs regard- fil its role in the restoration of Manila Bay continue working hard and putting our ing a Supreme Court ruling. to its former glory have paid off. best foot forward to proactively imple- The ruling mandates them to strictly "We have been working hard for over ment environmental laws and policies monitor compliance of their constituents three years now to clean up our water- in our city," Binay said. with environmental laws aimed to pre- ways and rid them of solid and liquid Last January, the city government vent sewage water and industrial and hu- wastes to make a significant impact on stacted its compliance with the DILG man wastes from polluting rivers, esteros ongoing efforts to restore Manila Bay Memorandum Circular No. 2019-09 and other waterways that form part of the to its former glory. We are heartened which requires the local government tributafy systems of the Manila Bay. by the remarkable progress we have to have a weekly waterways cleanup Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said made," she said. within its jurisdiction.

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Makati tops NCR waterways cleanup Makati City ranks first among local government units (LOU) in Metro Manila in clearing creeks and waterways and in managing solid and liquid waste aimed at rehabilitating Manila Bay and its related water systems, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said. The DILG monitors compliance of Metro Manila LGU and surrounding provinces with a Supreme Court ruling which mandates to strictly monitor compliance of establishments and residences with environmental laws aimed to prevent sewage water and industrial and human wastes from polluting rivers, esteros and other waterways that form part of the tributary systems of the Manila Bay. Makati Mayor Abby Binay said she was thankful that all the hard work to clean up the city's waterways has paid off. "We have been working hard for over three years now to clean up our waterways and rid them of solid and liquid wastes to make a significant impact on ongoing efforts to restore Manila Bay to its former glory. We are heartened by the remarkable progress we have made," Binay said. The mayor noted that in 2017 Makati ranked 14th in the said assessment, and then jumped 10 spots to fourth place last year, which merited the 2018 "Most Improved LOU" Award from DILG-National Capital Region (NCR). This year, Makati bested 16 other localities in NCR, garnering a total score of 96.4 percent. "This kind of validation inspires the city government and personnel to continue working hard and putting our best foot fonvard to proactively implement environmental laws and policies in our city," Binay said. Last January, the city government started its compliance with DILG Memorandum Circular 2019-09 which requires the local government to have a weekly waterways cleanup within its jurisdiction. — 1 The Solid Waste Management Division of the Department of Environmental Services, together with the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and Barangay Taga-Linis staff and volunteers, has regularly cleaned up creekanesteros and canals throughout the city. ' During the first half of the year, some 230,000 kilograms of solid waste were collected by the composite team. The DEPW has also conducted regular drainage declogging operations, where the group had hauled 54,745 metric tons of solid waste during the same period. NMI STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION a y PPER RAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY INITIATIVES Prt PAGE LOWER IIESIORalesaw SERVICE oho nee inevirvw.IDa• II I y-Elrli hum - eon, 12 - 19 - 19

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SCRAP FABRIC INTO STUFFED TOYS Taytay finds way to recycle textile waste \ By Neil Alcober Taytay, Rizal is considering on using the tons of textile waste it generates daily into stuffed toys or stuffing for furniture. This was revealed by Vic Baduguas, head of Taytay's general services office. With its many garment factories producing about 10 tons of scrap fabric daily, he said the move could help in reducing the town's solid waste. "Some of the scrap fabric are recycled into rags, but not all of them. Some of the sewers used to sell their scrap, but there is no longer a demand for it. That's why it is now thrown out as trash," Badaguas said. "Mayor (Joric Gacula) is looking for ways to have the textile waste recycled into fiber that can be used to fill stuffed toys or in sofas. So by next year, we will have a new industry. We are now looking for' new equipment to handle that," he added. The Taytay official said they will put a 45411 at the tiangge or bazaar for products that are made from recycled materials like textile waste. "It's another means of livelihood. We will teach those who used to make rags to make stuffed toys," he explained. "If you are a TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) graduate, the mayor can give you assistance in the form of a sewing machine. You will be taught how to make stuffed toys. You will be given a sewing machine that you can pay on installment, so that the money can be used to help others, too," he added. The town's tiangge started in 2008 when a group of 45 dressmakers banded together to sell their products. However, the local garment industry grew fast in the succeeding years. Taytay has now become the best destination for shoppers who are looking for quality yet affordable clothes. However, daily traffic to the bazaar, which is located at the Club Manila East compound in Barangay San Juan, is almost always heavy as thousands of shoppers from other places swarms the place.

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Massive bamboo plantation eyed in Pangasinan 2020

By EVA VISPERAS

DAGUPAN aTY —The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Pangasinan is eye- ing the massive planting of bamboo next year for environmental protec- tion and flood mitigation. Ernesto Gayo, PENRO head in the province, told The STAR recently that there was zero planting this year of seedlings in new sites but in previous areas, the maintenance and protection continue. "To ensure higher survival, we prepared first high-quality seedlings," Gayo said, noting the seedlings, like forest trees, were grown in bigger size first made to grow bigger to ensure they can survive. He said for 2020, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is focusing on the use of bam- boo as an alternative form of livelihood. Bamboo will also address wood demand because of an existing tech- nology that allows its use for houses and furniture. Gayo said the kawayan tinik (Bam- busa blumeana) variety is endemic to the Philippines. He said a group will invest in a bamboo plantation in central Pangasinan. There is high demand for kawayan tinik in China, where it will be ex- ported for a ready market, he said. For next year, about 10,000 hect- ares will be planted to bamboo by an investment group, Gayo said. The National Greening Program will also plant bamboo in about 100 to 200 hectares across Pangasinan, and they are still eyeing suitable areas. An all-weather plant, bamboo has high absorptive capacity for carbon dioxide and quality air. Within five years, bamboo can be cut for wood. Bamboo plantations can also ad- dress forest fires as investors deploy guards to augment some 60 forest rangers of the DENR in Pangasinan.

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_ GREEN IS IN

a One bar for one tree

This holiday season, give a gift that makes a lasting impression not only to your loved ones but also to the future generation. The Saibon shampoo bar is a gift "that plants a tree." For every shampoo bar you get for a donation of only P380, native tree seed- lings such as narra, kamagong, and antipolo will be planted as part of the "Forests for Life movement, a campaign that aims to bring back life to Philippine forests. Hand-crafted by organic farmers in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, the Saibon shampoo bar is made with natural ingredients — both good for the user and the environment. It comes in three variants — Calamansi, Cucumber, and Activated Charcoal. Every seedling donation is maintained by local farmers. This covers seedling preparation, planting, and three years of protection and maintenance by partner communities. The shampoo bar's biodegradable wrapper also serves as a ticket to one of Haribon's tree-planting activities in 2020. Each soap bar helps restore Philippine forests, one native tree at a time. STRATEGIC Pityrivr4c) I / 6-‘ "PPE PAGE 1 DANNER EDITORIAI CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PO or LOWER aERVICE I IR ROIL SAI,APAIN NO HATOTOIIANAN - J2-19-19 PAGE I/ DATE

Pangontra sa baha kapag may kalamidad MILYONG PUNO

1LULUNSADITATANIM ng pamahalaang SA ISABELA paran upang masawata ang mala- Isabela ang "I million tree in Dahil sa naitakda ang bu- wakang pagbaha sa Isabela kapag wan ng Disyembre 20, 2019 sa one day project" sa Disyembre muling dumalaw ang bagyo gaya Christmas break ng mga mag- 20 makaraang maantala Ito da- rig bagyong Tisoy. • aaral, gayunpaman nagpahayag hil sa malawakang pagbaha sa Kablang sa Isabela. matinding ang punong lalawigan na mag- naapektuhan ng Bagyong Tisoy kaisa ang mga mamamayan ng Ang pagtatanim ng milyong ang Ilagan City, Isabela at mga lalawigan ng Isabela sa Dis- puno ay atas ni Isabela Governor karatig na bayan ay binaha. Rodolfo Albano III. yembre 20, taong kasalukuyan Ang nasabing proyekto ng na magtanim ng mga puno upang Aniya, dapat ay sama-samang provincial government na naan- makamit nito ang target na isang magtanim ang mga mamama- tala na hindi natuloy noong milyong puno na maitanim sa yan ng nasabing lalawigan upang Disyembre 6, 2019, ay hindi na isang arum. malcamit nito ang target na isang idedeklarang special non-work- Isinasagawa na ang puspu- milyong puno sa bob lang ng ing holiday ng butihing punong sang paghahanda nang pamunuan isang araw. lalawigan, isasagawa ang nasa- ng Environment and Natural Re- Sa pahayag ni Media con- bing aktibidad sa Northern Sierra sources Office (ENRC)-Isabela, sultant ng provincial government Madre, Natural Park, Sitio Lagis, sa milyong bilang ng mga buto Romy Santos, itutuloy ang naanta- Sindon Bayabo, Ilagan City, Isar na itatanim para sa nakatakdang lang pagtatanim ng isang milyong . bela, sa mga Universidad ng Isa- alctibidad ng pamahalaang panla- puno ay nararapat nang maisakatu- bela. lawigan. IRENE GONZALES

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P86-M agroforestry infra projects 1 ng Japan, inilarga Ininagurahan ng Japanese Nilalayon nitong protektahan ang government ang P86 nillyon agroforestry raga kagubatan partilcular. sa Jalaur infrastructure projects na naglalayong Watershed sa Iloilo, Upper Magat at protelctahan at i-conseweang kabuuang Cagayan River Basins, at Pampanga River 71,300 ektarya ng kagubatan sa ilang Basin, na sumasakop sa mga lalawigan watershed areas sa ng Iloilo, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino,Ifugao, Sa isang pahayag, sinabi ng Japan at Nueva Ecija. International Cooperation Agency Sinabi ni JICA Philippines Senior (JICA)na ang agroforestry infrastructure Representative Yo Ebisawa na projects na ldnabibilanganng mga tulay, ang agroforestry infrastructure ay lcalsada, at irrigation facilities na-turnover sinusuportahan ang mga kalsada at kamakailan sa local government units sa tulay para maitaguyod ang livelihood Nueva Vizcaya at sa Quirino provinces activities ng people's organizations sa Region II at Ifugao sa Cordillera (Ms) sa project areas, idinagdag na Administrative Region (CAR). sa pamamagitan ng ahensiya, patuloy Mg mga proyektong pinondohan na susuportahan ng Japan ang training ng JICA ay bahagi ng10-taong Japanese ng POs upang mapamahalaan nila ang Yen 9244 bilyon Forestland Management kanilang "enterprises and keep their Project (FMP) bilang partnership sa organizations viable." Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENA). Roy C. Mabasa STRATEGIC I I 1:=1 UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 96/ STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER IMR=00.1".W "...min SERVICE Militattle741) uhF PAGE I/ DATE

r -1 he House Committee on Ways and Means has approved the proposed - . . "Single-Use Plastic Bag Tax Act:' which will impose a P20 per kilogram tax on single-use plastic shopping bags. The bill is estimated to raise about P4.8 billion annually for the government — money that will finance activities under the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. The issue, particularly for Environment of- ficials, is that while they support the proposed tax, they have misgivings about imposing the levy by weight, instead of by piece. Mind you, one kilogram of plastic bags is a lot of bags, and the tax on that is only P20. Environ- ment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda was quoted in a news report as saying that taxing by weight could even worsen rather than reduce plastic pollution. Plastics manufacturers, to save on tax, might produce thinner bags that are of lower quality, he said. More bags to the weight can help save on tax. But thinner and lighter bags cannot be reused as often, and would be dis- carded faster than thicker bags. These lighter bags will just end up in landfills, unless segre- gated and disposed properly. Worst case, they will end up in waterways, he added. There are at least two concerns with this proposed tax: will it significantly reduce the consumption of single-use plastic bags; and, should the tax be imposed by weight or by piece? Incidentally, the excise taxes on liquids (fuel, beer, liquor, etc.) are specific and im- posed by volume (in terms of liters, etc.), while the excise taxes on cigarettes are charged per pack The excise taxes on vehicles and jewelry are imposed per piece or unit, but based on the Similar success was experienced in Ireland, sands worth of groceries. But, assuming, for the value of the item. How then should we do this where a plastic bag levy was imposed as early sake of argument, a tax of P10 per bag, then the with single-use plastic bags? as 2002. In a 2007 article in the journal Envi- consumer will probably think twice about ask- There is no doubt, as with the experience ronmental and Resource Economics, authors ing for a bag, right? Incidentally, in Denmark,' in other countries, a tax on single-use plastic Frank Convery,SimonMcDonnell, and Susana where a plastic bag tax was first imposed way bags can reduce consumption. In Portugal, for Ferreira were quoted as noting that the plastic back in the 1990s, I believe a plastic grocerybag example, a plastic bag taxwas imposed in 2015. levy reduced plastic bag use by consumers by cost roughly about P25, including taxes. A 2017 article in the journal Waste Manage- 90%, with a corresponding reduction in litter- But, it is also worthwhile to look into the expe- ment quoted a studyby researchers at the Uni- ing as well. rience of other countries that taxed plastic bags versidade Nova de Lisboa which showed that The pending question, to my mind, is specifically based on weight. We need to make the tax "reduced the consumption of plastic whether the plastic bag tax should be charged public studies and research papers and technical bags at short and medium term," and that re- by weight or by piece? And on this, I support assessments that can help boost the argument usable bags given by stores and supermarkets Undersecretary Antiporda's call for a tax per in favor of either taxing by weight, or taxing per were "critical to reduce consumption," piece. For the simple reason that the tax should piece. We need legitimate scientific research and That study, the article noted, showed that be enough, and somewhat more direct, to dab to help craft this tax legislation. the tax resulted in a "74% reduction [in] plas- create an impact particularly on consumers. In the case of Denmark, a tax on plastic bags' tic bag consumption with a simultaneously Take the case of grocery shoppers. Assum- beginning 1994 was imposed at the importa- 61% increase [m] reusable plastic bags," How- ing a P20 tax is charged per kilogram of plastic tion or manufacturing level, based on weight ever, the study also noted that since plastic bags. One kilogram will probably account for Retailers pay the tax when they buy the bags, bags were then reused for shopping instead of about 100 bags, for a measly 20-centavo tax and they in turn can pass on the tax to con- being used as garbage bags, "the consumption per bag. A pass-on tax of 20 centavos per bag is sumers by charging them for the bags. Plastic of garbage bags increased by 12%." practically negligible to a shopper with thou- bag use went down 66% in the first year. STRATEGIC Li UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAt CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY ea INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE Busin,Workt .12-19-1.9

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MARVIN TORT

The pending question, to my mind, is whether the plastic bag tax should be charged by weight or by piece?

Ireland, in 2002, decided on a direct tax to recycling. In particular, I point to also encour- consumers, charging them the tax per piece aging the use of waste for energy production, at point of sale. Plastic bag use went down or as construction and building materials, or 90% in the first year of the tax. The tax was their reuse or repurposing for new productive raised to 22 euro cents in 2007, from 15 euro uses. However, in the immediate, I also think cents previously, as plastic bag use went up that a taaper piece will have its advantages. again. But, comparing the two countries, However, the plastic bag tax should be seen per-piece tax seems to work better in terms for what it really is, a tax. It is, mainly, another of reducing use. source of revenue for the government,just like In England, users were required by law to taxes on cigarettes, vaping, beer, liquor, fuel, pay a five-pence fee per bag, which reportedly jewelry, and motor vehicles, among others. resulted in an 85% reduction in use within They are meant primarily to raise money for six months of legislating the fee. Again, the the government. The taxes' impact on con- charge was per piece, and not by weight. Us- sumption, and on related negative externali- ing a similar fee. Wales reportedly saw a 96% ties, are secondary. We need more creative and reduction in use within a year. These experi- ingenious ways to deal with plastic pollution. a ences by other territories should be taken into consideration by our legislators. Ultimately, I prefer a more integrated ap- MARVIN TORT is a former managing edit& of Business World, and a proach to dealing with plastic bags, which former chairman of the Philippines involves manufacturing itself, then to distri- Press Council. bution, and tax on sale, plus segregation and [email protected] ak, ,,TRATEGIC, Ij COMMUNICATION I I I I I I L ?AGRI BANNER FOTIOR1/11. CARTOON .....rommer „INrnAtivEs STORY STORY .,,,,00...• WiltVICE 111ANILA4ULLETIN PAGF LOWER --a-- THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 112-i! -19 ONE

RSA first Filipino in The foundation has also built community hospitals, elite Bloomberg 50 schools, and libraries, among others. It's thrust today is to address hunger and education. global icons, innovators It recently completed its first learning and feeding center and SMC is one of the Philip- amon S. Ang, presi- food bank in the poorest district pines' largest companies by dent and chief op- of Tondo, Manila, where Ang revenues and profits. In 2018, erating officer of grew up. its revenues breached P1 tril- conglomerate San Under Ang, SMC has also R lion, equivalent to about 5.9% Miguel Corporation (SMC), has pushed for greater sustain- of the Philippines' Gross Do- . made it into the Bloomberg 50, ability, initiating a landmark mestic Product. . an elite annual list of top global water sustainability project Much of San Miguel's innovators, entrepreneurs, and which calls for an ambitious earnings are ploughed back leaders who have changed the 50% reduction in the utility and and reinvested in the Philip- RAMON S. ANG global business landscape, as domestic use of water across all pines in the form of growth- compiled by Bloomberg Busi- its businesses by year 2025. generating manufacturing Skyway Extension from Alabang nessweek. He is the first Fili- In 2017, as part of efforts • pino to make it to the list. facilities and infrastructure to SLEX Susana Heights. SMC is also set to build the to reduce the company's solid An unranked list, the projects aimed at improving SLEX TR4 project, which will waste footprint, he announced Bloomberg 50 represents the people's lives, decongesting extend SLEX from Sto. Tomas, the discontinuation of San most influential thought-lead- cities, and sustaining eco- Batangas to Lucena City in Que- Miguel's plastic bottled water ers in business, entertainment, nomic growth. business. Currently, SMC's Food and zon province. politics, finance, fashion, and In 2019, he announced sev- Beverage business is in the San Miguel is also build- science and technology, whose eral major sustainability initia- midst of the largest capac- ing the MRT-7 project, which accomplishments were par- tives: A P1-billion donation to ity expansion program in its will stretch from North EDSA ticularly noteworthy and de- clean up the Tullahan River; 129-year history. It is build- • through , to San fined 2019. building the country's first ing additional breweries, new Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The "It's a great honor, and I'm recycled plastics road, and feed mills, flour mills, food project includes an intermodal grateful to Bloomberg for tak- adopting the Philippines' first processing plants, poultry transport terminal and a road ing note of our work and the fully-certified biodegradable facilities, and a ready-to-eat component that will connect to developments here in the Phil- plastics for various packaging plant, in various locations the North Luzon Expressway. ippines," Ang said. "I hope this requirements. nationwide. helps to showcase the many From an early age, Ang These new facilities bring Most ambitious project great and positive things-hap- has had an entrepreneurial direct and indirect jobs, liveli- SMC's biggest and most am- pening in our country." spirit. He started in business Ang is joined in the list by hood opportunities, and boost bitious upcoming project to date is the new Manila International importing and reconditioning Warner Media News and Sports local economies. Airport project in Bulacan prov- heavy equipment for the local Chairman and CNN President SMC, under Ang, is also ince, just north of Metro Manila, construction industry. He is a Jeff Zucker, TV host Jon Stew- managing, operating, and con- and accessible via an expansive mechanical engineering gradu- art, pop star Rihanna, Shopify structing some of the coun- infrastructure network. ate and an avid car aficionado CEO Tobias Lutke, Glaxosmith- try's biggest infrastructure At US$15 billion, it is the and collector. Idine CEO Emma Walmsley, projects. The Bloomberg 50 2019 list Marvel Studios president Kevin Its operating expressways company's single largest in- vestment to date, and the larg- is published in a special issue Fiege, American gymnast Si- include the South Luzon Ex- est in the country. The new of Bloontherg Businessweek mone Biles, Walmart CEO Doug pressway (SLEX), Skyway 1 airport will be the Philippines' released December 6. McMillon, Disney International and 2, Southern Tagalog Ar- largest and most modern. Chairman Kevin Mayer, celeb- terial Road (STAR), the NAIA To be built on a 2,500-- rity and Kylie Cosmetics CEO Expressway (NAIAX), and the hectare facility, it will have four Kylie Jenner, and climate ac- Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union runways, upgradable to six, and tivist Greta Thunberg, among Expressway (TPLEX). world-class facilities seen to others. It is building Skyway Stage boost the country's competi- In the last decade, Ang 3, which will connect SLEX and tiveness as an investment and engineered the massive di- Skyway iand 2 to the Northern tourism destination. versification and transforma- Luzon Expressway from Buen- tion of the over loo-year-old dia, Makati; Skyway Stage 4, . Philanthropy, sustainability San Miguel from a beer, food, from Skyway FTI, Paraliaque Ang is also a known phi- spirits and packaging company City to the Batasan Complex with market leading positions, in Quezon City and to San Jose lanthropist. Through the San Miguel Foundation, he has to a diversified conglomerate del Monte, Bulacan, and the channeled billions of pesos to- with interests in industries wards building housing com- crucial to Philippine economic munities for thousands of growth: Food and Beverage, Oil and Fuels, Power, Infrastruc- families affected by natural calamities and armed con- ture, Banking. flict.

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trim ii DATE Fighting climate change and protecting nature go hand in hand he preservation of Earth's an effort to put the natural environ- pristine wildernesses and • ment into the mix. "The effects of climate change Lola Vallejo, who runs IDDRI's 'The link between stoke the biodiversity crisis" said oceans, long treated as a C0P25 chair Chile, for example, climate program, said the issue of separate issue to curbing has put the stress on protecting our global warming Grethel Aguilar, acting head of biodiversity was on the agenda and T the International Union for Con- climate change, is taking on more oceans, under threat on all fronts - had attracted support from key and biodiversity is servation (1UCET) whose Red List importance as scientists say they pollution, acidification, coral loss, countries such as France, China, really need to go hand in hand. over-fishing, to name a few. and should be self- estimates 30 percent of all animals Costa Rica, and New Zealand. and plants to be at risk The year zozo will be crucial as "We cannot approach global At Madrid, there has been some evident—climate Yet, it is nature which may of- nations submit their commitments problems in separate compart- meeting of minds on the idea of fer solutions to help tackle climate 'to the fight to curb global warming ments, we must look for syner- change spells enlisting nature to combat climate change, Aguilar added. ahead of the C0P26 conference in gies," said Andres Landerreche, change, which may prove better changing habitats and One of the best known ex- Glasgow, Scotland. coordinator for the Chilean confer- than some of the technological or At the same time, they will also ence presidency. upheaval in the animal amples is planting trees to help engineering solutions suggested absorb some of the billions of Eons be drawing up their plans for pro- "It is the first time (at a COP up to now. world, just as it will of CO2 being pumped out, but 11 tecting biodiversity over the next summit) that there are so many of- "It is also important not to should not be seen as an easy pass decade in preparation for the COPIE ficial events linked to biodiversity," mean for mankind.' think that such solutions absolve on the pressing need to reduce our summit in China. said Alexandra Deprez of she Insti- us of our responsibility on com- While the focus at C0P25 in emissions outright. mitments to reduce greenhouse tute for Durable Development and ing and biodiversiry is and should Madrid these past weeks has been Similarly, alternative fuels, gas emissions," said Karin Zaun- International Relations ODDRI). be self-evident - climate change on climate change and the grow- such as those based on plants like berger of the European Commis- spells changing habitats and up- maize can help - but they have a ing urgency to cut greenhouse gas Climate change, nature linked sion. "We have to be ambitious, emissions, araanizers have made heaval in the animal world, just as price in diverting food crops into The link between global warm- it will mean for mankind. unconventional, and work to- energy. gether." (APP)

Demonstratorll MEd a banner reading 'Climate Justice' during a cli- mate march to deMand urgent action on the climate crisis from world leaders attending the 10025 summit in Madrid recentl . (AM,

it NOT NOW, WHEN?

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Deputy Speaker and Lone than ever. United climate actions District of Antique Representa- must now happen in an ambi- tive Loren Legarda delivered tious scale, scope, and speed," the Philippine statement at the Legarda said. High Level Segment of the 25th "The committed climate fi- Session of the Conference of nance of at least too billion Parties (C0P25) to the United dollars by 2020 and every year Nations Framework Convention thereafter for the adaptation and on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in mitigation needs of developing Madrid, Spain, recently where she countries must now materialize, served as head of the Philippine beginning with the immediate re- delegation. plenishment of the Green Climate Legarda urged developed Fund," she added. countries to fulfill their com- Legarda said that the Philip- mitments to the Paris Agreement pines has exhibited climate lead- by leading deep and drastic cuts ership and commitment to act on in carbon emissions and provid- the climate emergency. ing finance and investments for She cited landmark climate innovative adaptation solutions legislation, such as the Clean Air in local communities. Act, Clean Water Act, Ecological "The latest science tells us Solid Waste Management Act, that our options to survive and Renewable Energy Act, Climate thrive are swiftly diminishing. So Change Act, People's Survival in this COP, let us finish the work Fund Act, National Protected at hand, 'the Paris rulebook The Areas Act, Green Jobs Act, and urgency of action, unequivo- the recent Energy Efficiency and cally, is most pronounced today Rep. Legarda, as head of the Philippine delegation, read the Philippine Conservation Act, as well as the statement at the High Level Segment of the 25th Session of C0P25

country's increase of excise tax 'The Philippines, on coal importation. constrained "The Philippines, constrained as we are in means and capaci- as we are in ties, has been doing all it can to means and make a difference in responding to the global climate emergency. capacities, has It is in this context that we urge been doing all the developed country parties to rise to the 1.5 climate challenge it can to make and uphold climate justice," a difference Legarda said. in responding "The time for action has long passed. Now is the time to catch to the global up. Now is the time to translate climate words into actions. As we end the year to welcome a new one emergency. It is — the year Paris Agreement in this context will be fully enforced — let the era of procrastination, inaction, that we urge and apathy end as well. Let this the developed end present a new beginning for humanity — a new chance to country parties rise to the climate challenge, this to uphold time with a renewed commit- ment and a stronger resolve," climate justice.' she concluded.

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TINE DATE Coal demand seen to remain stable amid climate concerns

PARIS — The demand for coal will remain steady over the next 40 percent of energy-related CO2 four years due to demand from Asia, which comes despite fears emissions. It is also widely used to of the climate crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said produce steel and cement. Tuesday. Europe and the United States are becoming less reliant on coal, but

Coal remains a major source of "Global coal demand has re- its use is increasing in Asia - espe- power across Southeast Asia, where bounded since 2017," the IEA said cially in India and China which are breakneck economic development in a report. the world's largest coal producers has spurred soaring energy de- "Although it will probably de- and users. mands - but at a cost to the envi- cline in 2019, we expect it to remain "Coal-fired power plants in ronment. broadly steady thereafter through Asia are young - 12 years old on Coastal areas across Southeast 2024," the Paris-based agency said. average. So they could still run for Asia have already seen major floods Coal is the primary source of decades," said IEA executive direc- and seawater incursion linked to energy used to generate electric- tor Fatih Birol. climate change. ity and accounts for more than He said it will be necessary to

have access to technologies such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects - a costly technology which captures and stores CO2 to prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. For the moment, there are few CCUS projects in operation. "The adoption of CCUS in many of Asia's young power plants would be necessary to bring the world into line with a pathway for achieving international goals on climate, air quality and energy ac- cess," Birol said. - AFP STRATEGIC I= 1 PAGE 1 BANNERM EMA' CARTOON COMMUNICATION e il Iy STORY STORY unisall111 INITIATIVES PAGE 11111111.1S SERVICE TEl Bin111141ED 'Se Vr -aSsr winnew-TERRTSIVEVElssamo.coorrs 12-19-is DATE Down with Grinch

To say that traffic worsens during the Christmas season is putting Ma and Lambingan stations in Manila; Pinagbuhatan, San Joaquin it mildly. and Maybunga stations in Pasig; Valenzuela and Guadalupe stations in Traffic woes escalate to hellish levels just when we are raring to Makati and Hubo station in ." spread good cheer. It can reportedly accommodate up to 14,000 passengers, significant Vehicle-packed highways, disgruntled motorists in helping decongest traffic along EDSA and other major thoroughfares. and long-suffering conunuters are the gifts of the Of course, the river itself has to rehabilitated, which is among the Christmas Grinch, and how we wish some kind of Santa would current goals of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources season or not, make it all go away for good! (DENR) under Secretary Roy Cimatu. the demand for The common sight of commuters filling up road If all goes according to plan, commuters can take this alternative mode more transport space, craning their necks for a ride to somewhere, of transport with ease and comfort in a short time without taking a bus, modes has been or the carmageddon that used to be so rare but no jeep or the Light Rail Transit. recognized by longer, makes us think the traffic problem is on the Issues notwithstanding, bringing Pasig River to government road to nowhere. life is part and parcel of the dream to which, through Even some perceived solutions had revealed several themselves to be problematic. Recently, a senator revitalize our waterways for additional transport systems. departments, is demanded that ride-sharing app Grab explain what To consolidate efforts, the Palace abolished the Pasig River working hard he said was a sudden surge in its fares Rehabilitation Commission, whereby under Executive Order 93, the to address the In a press statement, Sen. Sherwin former commission's functions, including "all necessary and incidental need Gatchalian said, "The high fare is killing the powers," were transferred to the Manila Bay Task Force, DENR, MMDA, festive mood of many Filipino commuters. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the We don't want to let Grab play the Grinch Department of Public Works and Highways. who stole Christmas from Juan de la Cruz because of high fare." Within the next two years, Santa may just have kicked the traffic Grab's defense was that it was "working on a very limited Grinch for good. number of drivers to serve an exponentially high demand." Christmas season or not, the demand for more transport modes has been recognized by government which, through several departments, is working hard to address the need. Among the solutions rolled out by the Department of Transportation are additional infrastructure, all ongoing at a fierce pace. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also relaunched the tt rehabilitatedPasigRiwrfeny service, increasing Issues its fleet to serve more commuters wanting to notwithstanding, eseape the mad traffic in the metro. bringing Pasig The Pasig ferry service covers Manila to River to life is Pasig, which means the cooperation of both part and parcel cities now headed by young visionaries Mayors of the dream Francisco “" Domagoso and Vico to revitalize Sotto of Manila and Pasig, respectively our waterways Currently the ferry offers free rides for additional to entice commuters to try the service transport instead of public utility in congested Metro systems. Manila roads. Information reveals that the ferry transport system, launched in 2014, has "11 stations spanning the 25-kilometer Pasig River: Escolta, Lawton, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. 61114 STRATEGIC UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION aim yr AS STORY STORY immise INITIATIVES I —A ii hone PAGE LOWER NE11111/11Mr SERVICE wwwww-flaw RILL, - corn 12 — 12,— 1e TITLE: ovan with Grincyh RAGE 1/ 2/, STRATEGIC PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON ea% COMMUNICATION to_ STORY STORY INMATIVES PAGE LOWER ...„„samir SERVICE -1 1'2- 19=11

TITLE• PAGE 1/ DATE SUNOD-SUNOD ang malalagim na disgrasya ngayon. Marami ang nama- matay sa iisang insi- dente. Magkakaiba ang mga dahilan mula sa ka- Ni BENNY ANTIPORDA walan ng preno hang- gang sa human error, overloading, overspeed- NUMANGO NC !AGA ARAL SA ing, kawalan ng mga warning sign, lasing na MALALAGDA NA DISGRASYA tsuper at iba pa. NANGAIN NG bas gamit any kani-ka- Dapat tayong hu- IBANG RUTA nilang mga sasakyan. mugot dito ng mga leks- Nabangga naman ng Dahil Kapaskuhan, yon pare sa ligtas nating isang bus ang kasalu- marami ang bumibiyahe paglalakbay. bong nitong _ sa nang malayuan at ma- NAKAINOM LANG nang kainin nito ang lapitan din. Panahon din HINDI LASHING linya ng nakabanggaan ng delivery ng mga pa- Nang damputin ng nito. ninda na pam-Pasko mga pulls ang mga tsu- Dahl' sa tindi ng salpu- Siyempre pa, lahat ay per ng Mistubishi Monte- kan, lima any namatay inaasahang inihahanda ro at pick-up na na- habang ang sugatan. any kani-kanilang mga sangkot sa disgrasyang Hindi pa malinatv sasakyan para maging nakamatay ng 6 katao at kung paano kumain ng "road worthy" o naka- nakasugat ng iba ibang linya any bus suba- kondisyon para makai- pa sa Tacurong City ni- lit malimit umanong na- was sa disgrasya. tong nakaraang Bi- gaganap ito kung mabilis Pero tiyak na may yernes, tila nakatungga any takbo ng sasakyan sa susunod pang mga bik- any mga Ito ng alak. pakurbadang daan. tima ng aksidente sa la- At ito ang isa sa mga MAMANG TSUPER nsangan. pinaniniwalaang da- NAKATULOG, NAKA- Sino nga ba any su- hilan kung bakit nawala BANGGA sunod na mamatay at sa wisyo any mga tsu- Makaraang mabang- maospital? per sa pagmamaneho. ga ng isang dump truck Dapat itanim any Ang tsuper ng Monte- any ilang traysikel at mo- tanong na ito sa utak ng ro ay nakabangga ng torsiklo sa Gapan, Nueva mga biyahero, lab o na isang traysikel na puno Ecija na ikinamtay ng tat- any mga tsuper, upang ng pasahero at isang long tao at ikinasugat ng makaiwas sa disgrasya motorsiklo habang bu- ilan, inamin ng tsuper na dahil magiging mas ma- mangga naman sa pu- nakatulog siya habang ingat sila sa paglalakbay. no any pick-up upang nagmamaneho. MAG-ARAL, makaiwas sa disgrasya. Sa Bocaue, Bulacan MAGSALITA, Tila mabilis din uma- naman, apat ang namatay INSPEKSYON no ang Montero at pick- makaraang gustong taka- Magandang gawin up at maaaring nagka- san ng isang tsuper ng any pag-aralan any mga karerahan ang mga ito pick-up truck any nabang- sanhi ng disgrasya. na maaaring isa ring ga nitong isang motorsik- Lahat ng mga tsuper, dahilan ng disgrasya. lo hanggang sa mabang- konduktor at taga-pa- Namatay rito sina ga o masagi any dala- mahalaan ay dapat na Najmia Kusain; Ju- wang traysikel, tatIong iba malalim at matandain sa haiber Mamusaka, 12; pang motorsiklo, isang mga sanhi ng sakuna. Juhaina Mamusaka, 9; SUV at isang L-300 van. Ag mga tsuper at Aipa Mamusaka, 2; Ju- Si nasabi ng namatay konduktor o helper ay hairi Mamusaka, 1; at rin any anak mismo ng dapat laying nakakon- alias Atong Ontong ha- tsuper ng pick-up truck disyon anp katawan at dahil sa insidente. bang 14 naman ang na- mapagbantay sa depek- KARGA MAI3IGAT to ng kanilang mga sa- sugatan. Nang mawalan na- sakyan. WALANG PRENO man ng preno ang isang Ang mga nasa pa- Nawalan naman uma- malaking truck na puno ng mahalaan na nagpa- no ng preno ang isang buhangin $a Mendez, Ca- patupad ng mga batas dump truck bumulusok vite, inararo nito ang isang para sa ligtas na pagla- ito mula sa pababang jeepney at iba pang na- lakbay ay dapat na gawin diversion road sa Cardo- daanan nitong traysikel, any nararapat gaya ng na, Rizal hanggang sa motorsiklo at iba pa. ta-many inspeksyon sa mabangga nito ang jeep- Namatay rito any da- mga sasakyan, tamang ney na kasalubong. lawang tao-habang 16 any pamimigay ng lisensya Namatay ang tsuper nasugatan. sa mga karapat-dapat, ng dumptruck nang Sinubukan ng tsuper paglalagay ng sapat na mahulog Ito sa bangin na pahintuin any sasak- road signs sa kalsada at habang karamihan sa yan at umiwas na maka- iba pa. mga namatay ay pasa- disgrasya ngunit nabigo Any mga pasahero ito kaya ibinangga na lang hero ng jeepney. ay may karapatang mag- umano nito ang kanyang salita, magbabala at pu- May isa pang truck sasakyan sa puno. migil sa, mga tsuper na nadamay rin subalit Mabagal naman uma- kung.wala na any mga lumalabas na walang no any kanyang takbo ito sa tama at ligtas na nadamay na sakay nito ngunit nang pebulusok na pagmamaneho. sa insidente. ito mula sa itaas, hindi na 0 mga Bro, happy Karamihan sa mga niya nakontrol ito lalo't na- biyahe tayong lahat. namatay rito any obrero walan itong preno. Anomang reaksyon o at estudyante at na- SINO ANG reklamo, maaaring ipa- damay rin ang mga nag- SUSUNOD? rating sa 0922840-2333 dya-jogging at nagla- Kapaskuhan na kaya o i-email sa bantipordatt lakad lang sa lugar. napakarami any lumala- yahoo. com.