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Meat processing plant's operations halted due to foul odor The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has stopped the operations of a meat processing company in Batangas province, after it was found violating the terms of its en- vironmental compliance certificate (ECC). The regional DENR-En- vironmental Management Bureau (EMB) slapped a cease-and-de- sist order, dated Sept. 26, on CDO Foodsphere Inc., which operates a 6o,000-square-meter plant in Malvar town. The plant reportedly produces over 93,000 metric tons of processed meat products yearly. The order noted the "foul odor" that reportedly came from the plant's rendering area and its wastewater treatment facility. It noted that the pungent smell "causes environmental impacts and poses nuisance to public health and safety," thereby violating Con- dition No. 13 of the ECC. A notice of violation was earlier issued against CDO, which was tasked to conduct corrective measures to address the foul smell as early as October 2018. But the regional EMB continued to receive complaints about the plant whose wastewater discharge flows into Alulod River, and into Taal Lake. The company has 15 days from the receipt of the order to file a mo- tion of consideration with the regional EMB. —JHESSET 0. ENANO

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CDO Foodsphere freezes operations of two facilities in Malvar, Batangas By Othel V. Campos Environmental Management Bureau in Region 4-A investigated reports of CDO Foodsphere Inc. said it tempo- "foul odor" emanating from the waste rarily suspended the operations of its treatment facility within the manufac- wastewater treatment and rendering turing site. facilities in Malvar, Batangas after re- CDO Foodsphere assured the public ceiving an order from the Environment that the products it manufactures were Department. clean and safe. "We have always ad- "In compliance with the DENR direc- hered to good and responsible manufac- tive, we have temporarily suspended the turing practices and standards and will operations of these two facilities while we continue to do so," it said. are fast-tracking the improvements," the The company said while it temporar- company said in a statement. ily suspended the operations of its two CDO-Foodsphere operates a facilities, "the rest of the plant remains 60,000-square-meter manufacturing to operate normally and ready to serve plant in Malvar town that produces our customers." more than 93,000 metric tons of pro- "CDO Foodsphere Inc. has been a cessed meat products a year. part of the lives of Filipinos for almost The Environment Department said it 45 years serving products that they can found out several violations related to continuously trust. We strongly support the Malvar plant's environmental com- the programs of our government and pliance certificate. remain committed in keeping our envi- CDO Foodsphere received a cease- ronment clean and safe," it said. and-desist order on Sept. 26 after the With Rio N. Araja s RATEGIC PAGE BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES 33 ea, Bunn' essllirror PAGE SERVICE

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DENR stops operations of (DO Food Sphere Inc. in Batangas HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease-and-desist TordertoCOOFoodsphereInc.forfailingtoaddress thefoul odor emanatingfrom its manufacturing plant in Malvar, Batangas. Such fa ilu re to address the problem,which started lastyear,isaviolationofthecompanysenvironmental compliance certificate, regulators said. The COO dated September 26, 2019, was issued by the DENR'sEnvironmentalManagement Bureau(EMB) in Region 4A against the company, which operates a 60,000-square meter manufacturing plant in Malvar town. The facility produces more than 93,000 metric tons of processed meat products a year. The latest order was received by COO Senior Vice President Arnold Alvarez. The company has 15 days from receipt to file a motion for reconsideration with the [MB-Calabarzon. In stopping the operations of the COO Mal- va r plant, the EMB-Cala barzon Regional Director Naemi Paranada cited the"foul odor" emanating from its rendering area and wastewater treat- ment facility, which "causes environmental im- pacts and poses nuisance to public health and safety." Jonathan L. Mayuga

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CDO's plant closed

for ECC violations THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has stopped the operations of a manu- Prior to the cease-and-desist order, the facturing plant of meat processing DENR said a notice of violation was issued giant CDO Foodsphere Inc. in Malvar, by the EMB and CDO was ordered to con- Batangas because of violation of the duct corrective measures pertaining to the terms of its Environmental Compli- foul odor as early as October 2018, which ance Certificate (ECC). the company failed to do. In August this year, it said the EMB- In a statement on Wednesday, the DENR said CDO was issued with a cease-and- Calabarzon received complaints from desist order dated Sept. 26, 2019 for ir- concerned citizens that the CDO plant regularities in its rendering area and waste continued to emit unpleasant smell dur-

water treatment facility, which "causes ing its operation in the afternoon until environmental impacts and poses nuisance evening. The complaints were validated to public health and safety" by a team sent by the EMB-Calabrzon to The CDO Malvar plant operates a conduct an investigation in the area. 60,000-square meter manufacturing plant "Na-observe po talaga namin na that produces more than 93,000 metric meron pong unpleasant smell, foul tons of processed meat products a year. odor na nanggagaling roon sa render- In an order signed by DENR's Envi- ing area at doon sa anaerobic pond ronmental Management Bureau (EMB) (We observed unpleasant smell, foul in Region 4-A Director Noemi Paradana, odor coming from rendering area and the meat processing plant was found naerobic pond)," said Paranada who led to have violated Presidential Decree the EMB investigating team. 1586 or the "Philippine Environmental "This is alarming considering that CDO Impact Statement System" and DENR produces food products," Paranada add- Administrative Order 2003-30, particu- ed, noting that the waste water discharge larly Condition 13 of the ECC. goes to Alulod River then to Taal Lake. Under the condition, CDO agreed that In October 2018, the official said the when the implementation of its project CDO was issued a notice of violation for causes adverse impacts to the environment non-compliance with several conditions or poses nuisance to public health and stated in its ECC, including emission safety, it "shall immediately suspend its of foul odor. operation until such time that appropriate An ECC is issued as a Certificate of En- remedial measures are effected." vironmental Compliance Commitment to which the proponent conforms with, after the EMB explains the conditions. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ it STRATEGIC PAGE BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY ea INITIATIVES masa' ][11,CCU R NIAjfLj .m.00MRS SERVICE -OS -60

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DENR stops operation of CDO Batangas plant over foul odor By Joel dela Torre THE Department of Environment and Natural Re- sources (DENR) has stopped the operations of meat processing giant CDO Foodsphere Inc. in Malvar, Batangas for environmental violation. The Environment Management Bureau in Region 4-A issued a cease-and-desist order, citing the foul odor emanating from the plant's rendering area and Wastewater treatment facility The DENR said the foul odor poses a threat to public health and safety and the environment. CDO operates a 60,000-square meter manufactur- ing plant in Malvar town that produces more than 93,000 metric tons of processed meat products a year. According to the DENR, the meat processing giaht violated its environmental compliance certificate. In an order signed by EMB-Calabarzon regional director Noemi Paradana, the CDO Malvar plant was found to have violated Presidential Decree 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System and DENR Administrative Order 2003-30, particularly Condition No. 13 of the FCC. Prior to the cease-and-desist order, a notice of vio- lation was issued by the EMB to CDO. The EMB ordered the company to conduct correc- tive measures pertaining to the foul odor as early as October 2018, which CDO failed to do. Last August, the DENR received complaints that the CDO plant continued to emit unpleasant smell during its operation in the afternoon until night "Na-observe po talaga namin na meron pong un- pleasant smell, foul odor na nanggagaling doon sa rendering area at doon sa anaerobic pond," said Paran- ada who led the EMB investigating team.

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DENR orders closure of meat plant The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the suspension of opera- ems of a meat processing plant in Malvar, Batangas due to violation of the terms of its environmental compliance certificate (ECC). A cease-and-desist order dated September 26, 2019 was issued by the DENR's Environmental Management Bureau (EMS) in Cal- abarzon (Region 4A) against CDO Foodsphere Inc., which operates a 60,000-square meter manufactur- ing plant in Malvar town. The EMB-Calabarzon cited the "foul odor" emanating from CDO's rendering area and wastewater treatment facility, which "causes environmental impacts and pos- es nuisance to public health and safety." In an order signed by EmB-cal- abarzon Regional Director Noemi Paranada, CDO Malvar plant was found to have violated Presiden- tial Decree 1586 or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System and DENR Administrative Order 2003-30, particularly Condi- tion No. 13 of the ECC. An ECC is a certification that the proponent has committed to un- dertake full responsibility over the specified measure which is neces- sary to comply with existing envi- ronmental regulations and operate within best environmental practices that are not currently covered by other existing environmental laws. Under Condition No. 13 of its ECC, CDO agreed that when the implementation of its project causes adverse impacts to the environment or poses nuisance to public health and safety, it "shall ! immediately suspend its operation until such time that appropriate remedial measures are effected." (Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz)

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Meat processing plant pinahinto ng DENR DAHIL sa paglabag sa be- Ayon sa DENR, Setyem- deco ng 93000 metric tons ng tas sa kalikasan, pansa- bre 26, 2019 nang ilabas ng processed meat products kada mantalang pinahlnto ng DENR's Environmental Man- taon. Department of Environ- agement Bureau (EMB) Re- Umaksyon any DENR sa ment and Natural Resour- gion 4-A any cease-and-de- sumbong ng mga mamama- ces any operasyon ng meat sist order para sa COO na may yan na may mabahong amoy procissing plant ng CDO 60,000-square meter manu- na nagmumula sa "rendering Foodsphere, Inc. sa Mal- facturing plant sa Malvar, Ba- area" at wastewater facility rib var, Batangas. tangas na kayang may-pro- na nakaaapekto sa kapaligiran at maaaring makapenvisyo se kalusugan ng publiko. Ayon Regional Director Noemi Paradana, napatunay- ang lumabag ang kompanya sa Presidential Decree 1586 o Environmental Impact State- ment System at DENR Admi- nistrative Order 2003-30, labo na any Condition 13 ng ECC. Any ECC o any Environ- mental Compliance Certificate ay ipinagkakaloob sa isang proponent kapalit ng pagkaka- roon ng responsibilidad sa pa- ngangalaga sa kapaligiran at kalikasan na nakasaad sa en- vironmental regulations. lsang taon na umanong nabigyan ang kompanya ng notice of violation ngunit wala umano long ginawa para ayu- sing any problema na ang ba- sura ay umaagos sa Alulod River hanggang sa Taal Lake. May 15-araw any kom- panya na maghain ng motion for reconsideration. SANTI CELARIO

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ENSURING PADDLERS' SAFE SUSPENSION OF DRAGON BOAT ACTIVITIES STAYS IN BORACAY The paddlers, all members of for the victims' families. The ILOILO CITY—The suspension and will be implemented." event, set for noon to 12 am., is Among these measures are Boracay Dragon Force team, of dragon boat activities in Bora- free but those attending are en- cay will be indefinite until the the wearing of safety vests were preparing for a competi- tion and were transferring to a couraged to donate for the safety of the paddlers are as- even during training sessions training venue when their boat families of the seven paddlers. sured, ati official of a multiagen- and requiring those steering was hit by a squall and capsized. An online fundraising drive1 /2 cy task force said on Tuesday. dragon boats to undergo certi- Fourteen others were rescued. (through https://www.gofundme According to Natividad Ber- fication, she said. Support for the fatalities' .comff/dragon-boat-team-tragedy) nardino, general manager of raised $6,525 (P339,205.39) as Of Protocol review families continued to pour in as the Boracay Interagency Reha- Tuesday. A trust fund has been Cimatu ordered the suspen- residents and paddlers contin- bilitation Management Group, set up to receive donations sion of dragon boat activities to ued to mourn and offer tributes. the directive of Environment which will be equally given to allow the task force to review On Oct. 4, musicians and Secretary Roy Cimatu issued performers on Boracay Island the families of the victims, last week will stay until the and improve safety protocols fol- will hold a "jamming session" most of them breadwinners. task force is "convinced that lowing the death of seven pad- at Bombom Bar to raise funds —NESTOR P. BURGOS JR. INQ safety protocols are in place dlers in an accident on Sept 25.

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DENR distributes free patent titles told the beneficiaries to carefully secure their It is the result of intensified land respective titles because, according to him, titling services of the government ownership of a land with a certificate of title which fast-track the processing and are the best legacies that parents could give issuance of land titles to improve their children. Among the recipients, the standard of living and stimulate 84 Were economic growth farmers in By Elmer Recuerde

TACLOBAN CITY — Over a thousand farmers in Eastern Visayas received agricultural free patents from the Department of Environment and Natural Resource:, (DENR) regional office under the Handog Titulo Program of the agency. According to Maita Sucgang, regional information officer of DENR-S, the distribution of the free patents is the result of intensified land titling services of the government which fast-track the processing and issuance of land titles to improve the standard of living and stimulate economic growth. Unlike land distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, agricultural lands issued with free patents can be traded, said Arturo Salazar, DENR Assistant Regional Director for Management Services. "Republic Act 11231 removed the prohibition from mortgaging o selling of land under free patent the town within five years from the issuance Mondragon in Northern of the patent to encourage growth Samar, 50 in Sta. Fe Leyte, 433 in and progress In the agricultural Calbayog City and over 500 farmers in Southern sector," Salazar averred. LeVte. "You are now free to develop the potential value Ilandog Mule is a nationwide activity conducted of your land. Make this productive to Improve your every September by all DENR Regional Offices living and bring economic development into your and the Land Management Bureau as part of the locality," he added. celebration of the creation of the Bureau of Public DENR regional director Crizaldy Barcelo, who Lands on 2 September 1901, which was mandated personally graced the distribution of free patents, to administer public lands.

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Iii Protectors of pine trees DATE bark at the wrong tree

Nobody witnessed the actual infliction of the damage to the trees

By Aldwin Quitasol and argued that the evidence against them was "bare, unsubstantiated, hearsay, BAGUIO CITY — The Office of the City speculative, conjectural and flawed." Prosecutor junked a case filed by the City In a 13-page resolution, the Office of Environment and Natural resources Office the City Prosecutor admitted that holes (CENRO) against officials of a real estate that had been bored in each of the 45 trees developer for allegedly "poisoning" 45 pine cannot be denied. It also acknowledged the trees here. presence of poisonous or toxic substances Officers of CENRO-Baguio filed charges placed inside the holes. against directors and officers of Gateluck However, the resolution stated that the Corporation last August — days after they person or persons liable for the offense - found out that 45 Benguet pine trees were under the Expanded NIPAS Law would be the person who had poached, killed, The CENRO-Baguio noted boring holes destroyed, disturbed any wildlife including on the tree trunks and samples of sal in private lands within the protected area. solutions were found in the said holes. "The only question that is kept hanging is: The complainants alleged that the Should any or all of the present respondents be made liable for this atrocious offense? corporation had the "insidious plan" or "motive to kill" the trees to realize their Are the Benguet pine trees to be considered development plan in the area. 'wildlife' within the terms of the section of According to CENRO-Baguio, the trees the law they had allegedly violated?" stated are found to be within the coverage of the resolution. Proclamation 1754 or within the forest The prosecution also stressed that at reservation area along Marcos Highway. the expense of being repetitive, there is no direct evidence that could link the The office stated that the killing of the trees which, it said are "native plants," is respondents to the commission of crime. a violation of the National Integrated and "Nobody witnessed the actual infliction Protected Area System (NIPAS). of the damage to the trees," the prosecution The respondents, however, countered stated.

Targeted These Benguet pine trees are facing predators from irresponsible real state developers wanting to get rid of them to put up money-making structures. STRATEGIC I I I I uPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION A9 STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE WEE SERVICE Bum' essMirror 41 vidolmil /I, la bum

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Birds of all species are for all of us to watch, appreciate—DENR exec

BY JONATHAN L. MAYUGA their population. W @jonimayuga During the annual bird count, Calderon said,DENRpartners—bird N official of the Department watchers and photographers—are of Environment and Natu- also expectedto document the num- Aral Resources (DENR) on ber of birds and species that visited Wednesday urged the public to help the Philippines. protect migratory birds against un- "We are more excited to see criti- scrupulous individuals who see them cally endangered species, or new either as pets or food. species of birds, being recorded or "These birds are for [our] eyes photographed," he said. to see and appreciate. They are Calderon warned the public that not for food or pets," said Assis- huntingthemfor the illicitpet trade, tant Secretary Ricardo Calderon, orfor food, is also "unsafe" as there is the concurrent director of the a possibility that the birds are carri- DEN R's Biodiversity Manage- ers of diseases, like the dreaded avian ment Bureau. influenza, or bird flu virus. Calderon has issued a public Transfer of the virus to domestic advisory announcing the annual birds eventually can endanger the bird migration season. country's highly vulnerable poultry During the southward bird industry. migration season, the Philip- Migratory birds are also ecosys- pines is visited by thousands of tem indicators. These birds tend migratory birds to escape the to stay only in areas where there is cold weather and take refuge in plenty of prey to feed on—insects warmer regions. which show that an area is ecologi- The birds stop briefly to feed and cally healthy—and safe. rest in wetlands—swamps, marsh- The Philippines is a signa- es, intertidal and coastal areas, riv- tory to the Bonn Convention, or ers, ponds, lakes, as well as forests the Convention on the Conser- throughout the country. vation of Migratory Species of Hunting of wildlife is illegal and Wild Animals, and the Ramsar punishable under the provisions of Convention, which aims to pro- Republic Act 9147, or the Philip- tect wetlands of international pine Wildlife Resources Conserva- importance—feeding grounds of tion and ProtectionAct, or Wildlife critically endangered migratory Act, Calderon said. bird species. The annual southward bird mi- The Philippines has several gration season begins in Septem- Ramsar sites, including the the Las ber and extends until February Pifias-Parailaque Critical Habitat of the following year. During the and Ecotourism Area, a popular period, the DENR and its partner bird-watching site in Metro Manila conduct the annual bird count as that is threatenedby proposed land- part of a global effort to monitor conversion projects in Manila Bay.

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METRO BRIEFS

BFAR: Marikina River negative for African Swine Fever The Marikina City government headed off another potential cri- sis on Wednesday as it announced that Marikina River was un- contaminated by 65 dead pigs that had been found floating in its waters since September. Water samples taken by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) were negative for the African Swine Fever virus, it said, prompting Mayor Marcelino Teodoro to lift a fishing ban he had imposed in the wake of the bizarre incident. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re- sources, which tested the samples from the LLDA, informed Teodoro that fish from the river was safe for consumption even though pollutants in its waters had increased slightly due to "higher biochemical oxygen demand." The level of these pollu- tants—Staphylococcus aureus and E. coil—were still well below the regulatory limit of the Food and Drug Administration, Teodoro said. A third pollutant that BFAR had tested the sam- ples for, salmonella, was absent. —MATTHEW REYSIO-CRUZ • STRATEGIC UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON ela COMMUNICATION STORY STORY ENIT1ATIVES PAGE VIER c „mew cERVICE —oar b.c- 03._ 19 DATE Ur PAGE 1/

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Marikina River fishing ban lifted The Marikina City government yesterday lifted the fishing ban in Marikina River after it was found free of the African swine fever (ASP) virus. Mayor Marcelino Teodoro made the announcement after the Laguna Lake Development Authority said the river tested negative for ASP even if 65 pig carcasses were thrown in the waterway since Sept. 12. "I lifted the fish ban based on the report conducted by Bu- reau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Fishermen and residents are now allowed to fish and swim in the river," he said in a statement. Around 300 fishermen are expected to benefit from Te-

odoro's order. The BFAR said fish in Marikina River are safe to eat and pollutants in the waterway are still within the regulatory limit of the Food and Drug Administration. - Emmanuel Tupas - Ohio Ong STRATEGIC PC PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INMATIVES wmaarlall SERVICE BusinessMirror Le Ahrvk lb 0 03- 19 DATE TITTE ' PAGE 1 / Marikina River free of ASF virus, fishes safe for human consumption, mayor says

casses of thepigs"that'swhythekvel Br CLAUDETH MOCON-CIRIACO I Correspondent of contamination is not so much." "We were able to remove 65 car- ARIKINA City Mayor casses from the river," he added. The LLDA took water samples Marcelino Teodoro on from three stations, namely, Cir- cuM Verde in Pasig; boundary of Wednesday declared that Jesus de la Pena and Santa Elena; 'M and Bayabas Street in Barangay Marikina River is free from the Nangka. African swine fever (ASF) virus and The clinical laboratory report submitted to the local government that the fishes are safe to eat. of Marikina was signed by LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina. "Based on the ASF virus analy- started to surface on September 12. The Bureau of Fisheries and sis of the Laguna Lake Develop- Teodoro said that they were Aquatic Resources (BFAR) fold Te- ment Authority [Una Mariki- wondering why there were dead odoro that the fishes in the city's na River tested negative for ASF," pigs floating in the river, saying river are safe to eat. The report of BFAR showed the mayor said. there's no piggery or slaughter There were a total of 65 pig car- house along the river bank. that pollutants in Marikina Riv- casses retrieved from the Marikina The mayor said that their hard er increased but not to the point Riversince last month. The carcasses work paid off in retrieving the car- that it went beyond the regula- tory limit of the Food and Drug Administration. The BFAR test showed that there is no longer presence of salmonella, staphylococcus aureus and E.coli. Teodoro also informed around 300 fishermen about the good news. "I lifted the fish ban based on the report conductedbyBFAR. Iyon angnaging [Thatwas my] basis...to lift the fishing ban. Fishermen and residents are now allowed to fish and swim in the river," the mayor said. The probe seeking to find where the pig carcasses came from is still ongoing. Teodoro assured that people be- hind the dumping of pig carcasses in Marikina River will be held ac- countable to the fullest extent of the law.

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MODERNIZATION MAY STOP SCARE Marikina River ASF-free By Marla Romero and Neil Alcober by the recent incidence of African swine fever (ASF). Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. A total of 65 pig darcasses had been Arnolfo Teves Jr. yesterday pushed for the retrieved from the Marikina River in the past modernization of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) weeks, with the first hogs surfacing on 12 and even sought necessary funding to ward September. This occurred, despite Marikina off the entry into the country of smuggled having no piggery or slaughterhouse. meat and meat products infected with African "Based on the ASF virus analysis of the swine fever (ASF). Laguna Lake Development Authority Marikina At a hearing of the House Committee on River tested negative for ASF," Teodoro said. Agriculture and Food on the implications of ASF on the local swine industry Teves specifically Tests revealed fish from the river are sought a "No X-ray, No Entry" policy. below the allowable limit for common "The Department of Agriculture (DA) has bacteria, such as E. colt and Salmonella. been saying that imported meat products are the carriers of ASF that reached the The Laguna Lake Development Authority country. As such, why can't we agree to (LLDA) took water samples from three have a modernized process in the BoC? That stations namely, Circulo Verde in Pasig; at the way, we can easily identify which imported boundary of Jesus de la Peiia and Sta. Elena; products are safe," the congressman said and Bayabas Street in Barangay Nangka. during the hearing. The clinical laboratory report given to the "I have been campaigning this for a long local government was signed by LLDA general time now and I don't know why can't we do manager Jaime Medina. that?" he added. The Bureau of Fisheriea and Aquatic DA Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan said ASF Resources (BFAR) told Mayor Teodoro that was suspected to have reached the country the fishes in the city's river are safe to eat. through imported meat products from high-risk The BFAR report showed that the level of countries and perpetuated by swill feeding. pollutants in Marildna River rose, but not to the Cayanan said the dumping of dead hogs point that it went beyond the regulatory limit in waterways also helped spread the dreaded set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). disease. The BFAR tested the samples for the On Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary William following: Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Dar already threatened legal action against and Salmonella. hog traders ignoring strict animal quarantine Due to this, the mayor met with around rules after it was confirmed that another 300 Marikina River fishermen to tell them site in Metro Manila was hit by the disease. the good news — the lifting of the fishing ban. Meanwhile, Marikina Mayor Marcelino "I lifted the fish ban based on the report Teodoro yesterday declared the Marikina conducted by BFAR. That served as the basis River safe for fishing again. for my lifting the fishing ban. Fishermen and Teodoro made the announcement following residents are now allowed to fish and swim findings issued by the Bureau of Fisheries, in the river," he said. which verified that fishes caught in the river However, the probe to determine where are safe for human consumption and are the pig carcasses came from is still ongoing. uncontaminated ..

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PAGE I/ DATE Manila Water warns customers of higher water rates if SC maintains its Aug ruling to a mere five years, when the BY JOEL R. SAN JUAN Sewerage System (MWSS), Mayni- said period under Section 8 of 11, @frsanjuan1573 lad and Manila Water liable for vio- lation of Section 8 of the Philippine the Clean Water Act was only ANILA Water has asked Clean Water Act. intended for the interconnec- the Supreme Court to re- The provision requires MWSS tion of sewage lines to sewerage verse its August decision and the two concessionaires to systems existing and available im in 2004," it noted. directing the company along with provide wastewater treatment fa- The Manila Water pointed water concessionaire MayniladWa- cilities and to connect sewage lines ter Services to pay a fine amount- in all establishments, including out that even Congress recognizes ing to almost P2 billion for viola- households, to an available sewer- the "immensity" of the task to tion of the provisions of Republic age system within five years upon provide complete and centralized Act (RA) 9275, or the Philippine • the effectivityof RA9275 on March sewerage system under the Clean Water Act, by mandating not one Clean Water Act. 6,2004. In a 55-page motion for recon- However, Manila Water in- but several government agen- cies to implement its provisions, sideration, Manila Water through sisted that under Section 8 of namely, the DENR, Department of lawyer Alejandro Alfonso Navarro- the Clean Water Act, its obliga- Public Works and Highways, and said the Court may also consider tion is simply to connect Sew- various local government units. remanding or referring to the age lines existing at the time "Therefore, the only reason- Court of Appeals or the Office of the effectivity of the law to able conclusion is that petitioner of the Secretary of Department then-available sewerage systems Manila Water, as a private entity, of Environment and Natural Re- within five years from the law's cannot be required to assume ob- sources (DENR) or any appropriate effectivity on March 6, 2004. ligations beyond those set forth government agency the case for The petitioner said the SC de- in its concession agreement. To a determination of factual issues, cision interprets Section 8 of the require petitioner Manila Water their liabilities and correct fines Clean Water Act to mean that do so will not only violate the to be imposed. it must unconditionally comply principles of non-impairment The company argued that con- with all its obligations under the of contracts but will also unde- trary to the findings of the Court, concession agreement within five niably constitute arbitrary ex- the petitioner complied With the years from the law's effectivity. ercise of police power, contrary provisions of Section 8 of the Clear "In other words, the Decision folded-in the 40-year period' to the established tenets of due Water Act (CWA). process," the water concession- In August, the SC affirmed the for petitioner Manila Water to CourtofAppeals'rulingwhichfound comply with its obligations un- aire said. The Manila Water also warned the Metropolitan Waterworks and der the concession agreement that the accelerated establish- ment of a complete centralized sewerage system is expected to cause huge an increase in water prices by P26.70 per cubic meter or a 780. 18-percent increase in current water rates. "This exponential increase in water prices will eat into the already meager savings of the average Filipino household in Metro Manila [which stands at P6:333.34 per 2015 survey of the It told the Court that as of De- Philippine Statistics Authority]. cember 31, 2018, Manila Water has The situation paints an even dire reportedly spent a total of P38.5 bil- picture if one is to consider the lion for wastewater projects, higher hefty fuel price hikes of recent than the P36.9 billion collected in days, the inflation which is pro- sewer charges. jected to lie somewhere between Under its concession agree- 0.6 to 1.4percent for September..." ment, the Manila Water said it the company noted. is allowed to recover operating, capital maintenance and invest- ment expenditures efficiently and prudently incurred from its customers. UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON 3 STORY STORY ezik PAGE LOWER Illeos- 19 Department of Environment and Natural Resources HA TA Wig ' 'VA FLY CD NC SAYAN P10.00 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE Ihttp://www.hatentablard.com DATE

NAGPAPALIWANAG Si DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu habang hinihingan siya ng detalye ni Senator Cythia Villar tungkol sa 2020 budget ng DENR sa hearing sa Senado. (MANNY MARCELO) Sin ATE( a (' COMMUNICATION BITER ?AGRI BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON 47 Mom MORT INITIATIVES PAGE LeWER .„...00•00, SPAM. Is Tic )3{Lut tin Zino . 12IPT03-le

TITLE: PAGE/A2 DATE Pasig River C INCE Rajah Sulayman's rule °before the Spanish colonizers arrived in our land in the 16th century, the Pasig River was already a lively and bustling waterway — a FELINO A. source of aquatic wealth, commerce, PALAFOX, JR. and cultural influences. This con- tributed to the success of Manila as a center of trade Even though the Pasig River was only 27 kilometers Famous rivers like the Thames long, it was of great importance, in London, the Hudson in New Environmental management most especially to the communi- York, and the Rhine that passes is an utmost priority. Only after ties living near it, because it linked through Switzerland, Germany, reducing the pollution load can the principal port in Manila Bay to France and the Netherlands, the other programs and initiatives Laguna de Bay — the largest fresh- are inspiring examples of how be implemented. According to the water lake in the country allowing cities and countries were able Department of Environment and foreign ships from China, Burma, to reverse the once seemingly Natural Resources, 85 percent of Sumatra, India and Japan to reach hopeless state of their major households and commercial and them. The area was so prosperous waterways. In the 1950s and industrial establishments are not that Spanish conquistadors con- onwards, all three rivers expe- connected to sewer lines. This quered Manila for it. Because of its rienced extreme environmental means effluents coming from strategic location, the Pasig River degradation as they became the these structures go directly to bod- was viable for intra-island transport primary waste disposal sites ies of water, including the Pasig via its esteros and tributaries. The for sewage, chemical waste and River Just imagine the volume of esteros of the Pasig River provided a heavy metals of the households waste from the clusters of informal link to the provinces of Bulacan and and factories surrounding them. settlers living along the river and Pampanga; the cities of Las Pifias, The contamination was so bad the hundreds of factories situated Paraflaque Marildna, Montalban, that nothing was able to survive near it. In addition, solid waste Taguig and Antipolo; and the mu- in the waters, and the rivers gave disposed into the river has been nicipalities of Pateros and Cainta. off a foul smell. Sounds famil- a perennial problem. Installing Before the automobile dominated iar, right? But the cities affected thousands of sewer lines to in- our highways, the Pasig River was were able to successfully revive tercept domestic and industrial the city's most significant channel these rivers through increased wastewater, rehabilitating the Ma- of transportation. The river basin environmental awareness, cam- nila Central Sewerage System, and includes Manila, Pasay, Makati, Pa- paigns and strict law enforce- establishing septage and water sig, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Marikina, ment and industry regulation by treatment plants are highly recom- Caloocan and Quezon City mended. By relocating informal the government. Now, wildlife settlers through socialized hous- Sadly, it has become one of the has been increasing in the rivers, most polluted rivers in the world ing developments, the river can and people can now enjoy recre- reclaim the once wide riverbanks caused by excessive untreated ational activities like kayaking wastewater dumped from residen- and watercourse, and there will and even swimming. The cleanup be less polluting material and tial and industrial sources and lack took time and required extraordi- of solid waste collection. In fact, in substances thrown into the river. nary efforts, but these produced The river is envisioned to the 1990s, ecologists declared the success stories that residents can stitch the historical, cultural Pasig River as biologically dead be proud of. and unable to sustain marine life. and commercial districts by Since the 1990s, we at Palafox establishing a vibrant corri- Even its major tributaries — the had the chance to work with Marikina, San Juan and Taguig dor with vernacular architec- notable individuals such as rivers — are also heavily polluted. tural styles, valued heritage former first lady Ming Ramos, structures and opportunities former Budget secretary Benja- for adaptive reuse, Mixed-use min Diokno, former Environ- developments along the Pasig ment secretary Lito Atienza and the late Gina Lopez ,who was an ardent environmentalist. We envision a paradigm shift from the poor treatment of a precious resource to its elevation into a source of national pride. Our recommendations are centered on environmental protection, social equity, urban renewal and transit-oriented development.

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River would act as a catalyst for urban renewal. These can be complemented with an open space network. Architectural and cultural heritage sites near the river like Binondo, Quiapo and lntramuros can be infused with educational linear parks that can add to the sense of his- tory by using elements that re- flect the wealth of detail found in those areas. Areas vacated by industries can be transformed into prime mixed-use centers, and more economically var- ied groups of people must be served by future development to avoid pockets of exclusivity. Moreover, the open space net- work must also feature inviting waterfront esplanades, urban agricultural parks for com- munity-based cultivation and propagation of vegetable crops, environmental protection areas and commercial parks. As a result, what was once back-of- the-house "basurahan" can be converted into the front door of development. Once the river is cleaned up, the Pasig River can also serve as a faster transport alternative to EDSA and can improve the east-west connectivity within and outside the metropolis. The ferry system can be upgraded, and well-placed transit-ori- ented developments like ferry stations must be supported by better road connections and walkable and bikable bridges. Augmenting the transport sys- tem can help decongest traffic, speed up travel time, lessen delays, and revive the historic role of the Pasig River as a ma- jor transportation route. The rehabilitation of the Pasig River continues to be a herculean challenge that requires equally immense cooperation, discipline, capital and political will. Envi- ronmental consciousness from both the private and pubic sec- tors must be revived if we hope to restore the former glory of this very important urban waterway. ra SyiuvrKt( [7.17 Li e I r1,5 PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY Eli STORY lytyinyiyEs PAGE LOWER vammieftfti c .TER TICE

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Candidates for Miss Asia-Pacific participate in a tree planting activity at the Viewpoint in Barangay Landingan, Nagtipunan, Quirino yesterday. VICTOR MARTIN

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COLIFORM BACTERIA SA DAVAO RIVER TUMITINDI TUMINDI na ang level tong taon. Ang nasabing isasagawang swimming nance sa lungsod kung Matatandaang nag- sa dami ng namamaya- datos ay mula sa Depart- competitions at iba pang saan mandato ito sa lahat positibo rin ang Davao ning coliform bacteria ment of Environment and recreational activities sa ng mga bahay na guma- river sa polio virus base sa bahagi ng Davao Natural Resources-Envi- Davao River. mit ng banyo na may sa resulta ng isinagawang River. ronmental Management Nauna nang inihain septic tank at kailangan eksaminasyon. Ito ang napag-ala- Bureau (DENR-EMB) na ni Villafuerte ang "Zero na i-practice ang tamang BENEDICT man kay Davao coun- nagpapakita na ang na- Open Defecation" ordi- pagtapon ng dumi. ABAYGAR, JR. cilor Mary Joselle Vil- sabing bilang ng bacteria _ _ lafuerte na kung saan ay ay hindi na ligtas lab o na tnnalcyat na ang level nito kung alcsidenteng mai- sa 920,000 ang bilang ng inom ang tubig. micro-organism per 100 Nabatid na ito rin milliliter na coliform sa ang rason na hindi pina- buwan ng Setyembre ni- hintulutan ang mga

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HEALTH HAZARD Hindi alintana ng mga trabahador ang posibleng makuhang sakit sa hinahakot na basura sa business district ng Davao City, kahapon. KEITH BACONGCO

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources HA TA Wag 1c4) , An STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE ID 'YAflVO N C BAVAN e Ihttp://min . ha tantobluidicum DATE

Gabundok Na basura sa center isle ng Rizal Ave. GFtABE ang gabundok na basurang nakatambak sa mismong center isle ng Rizal Avenue sa Sta. Sila any nagiging problema ng pamahalaang Cruz, Maynila. lungsod rig Maynilasa pamumuno ng Wing butihing Ang mga lugar o kalsadang makikitaan ng Mayor Isko Moreno. tambak ng basura ay mula sa S. Herrera, Yuseco, Ano man any ganda ng kanyang programa at I Batangas, Laguna at NewAntipolo bago dumating layunin upang maging malinis, maluwag at maging 1 sa Blumentritt station ng LRT. Mayroon din ganitong progresibo ang lungsod, nasisira ito at nawawala ! pangitain sa Tambunting, Obrero atAbad Santos sa ayos dahil sa mga pasaway sa hallo na LRT. tumulong ay nakaaabala pa. Sa mga kalsadang nabanggit, pinakama- Malakas rin any boob at makakapal ang muk- sahol any lugar ng Batangas, Laguna, at New hang gumawa ng kapalpakan, mantakin ninyong Antipolo na umaabot hanggang haligi o poste sa gitna pa ng kalye nagtatapon ng kanilang mga ng LRT sa kadahilanang puno rig basura any basura samantala puwede naman sa lid-gi id-gi E center island. o sa mas tagong lugar. Tinataon ng mga resident° rito any pagtatapon Sa lahat ng barangay sa buong Maynila, ito ng kanilang basura mula 8:00 pm - onwards ang may sariling oras ng pagtatapon rig kanilang I hanggang kunin ng trak rig basura sa umaga, 'e basura, maliban sa kanila ay sumusunod lahat sa I paano kung hindi ito makuha, e 'di namaho ang patakaran na kailangan munang nandiyan na ! kapaligiran. Malaki tin ang tsansang pagmulan ito mismo, ang tralLng.basura bago maglabas at rig kung ano-anong sakit at karamdaman, 'di po magtapon. ba? Sampolan ma nga Yor-me para hindi na , Kung minsan ay talagang may mga residente parriarisan ng at mamamayan tayong likas na pasaway, walang Kung ayaw ninyong tumulong sa paglilinis ng disiplina at walang galang sa kanilang kapuwa. komunidad, ok fine pero huwag na tang kayong lyan any mga makasarili. mag-kalat at malaking tulong na iyon.

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Weir FIRST PERSON If government can entrust something as complicated ALEX MAGNO and highly technical as a regional air hub to a private company, why can't it trust private investors to build what is needed to supply the metropolitan area with sufficient fresh water supplies? Mindset When water distribution in the metropolitan area n the last analysis, the real rea- was privatized, the agreement envisioned that bulk son for the decade-long delay water supplies would also be undertaken by the private 'n issuing the go-ahead for sector. Instead, the old bureaucratic mindset uept in. constructing the Bulacan airport Government agencies decided the.way to go in building was a certain bureaucratic mindset new raw water facilities was for government to borrow suspicious of yielding control over money and award construction to a company preferred strategic projects to the private by the lender sector. And so it was that the New Centennial Water Supply With the signing of the 50- Project, fixated on building a dam at the Kaliwa River year concession agreement, that that will submerge areas inhabited by indigenous peo- stultifying mindset appears to be receding. That is ple, would be funded by ODA. We sourced the loan from promising. After all, the infrastructure backlog we China and then awarded the project to China Energy accumulated is due to government's traditional in- Engineering Company. sistence that it alone should undertake the strategic Not all is well with this project, however. projects our economy needs. ( The COA recently issued an Audit Observation We have seen the benefits of privatization in many memorandum that raised red flags on the bidding proc- areas. Had government not privatized the North and ess. It appears the two losing bidders were involved South expressways, these vital road systems would merely to satisfy the requirements of the Procurement have remained in the decrepit condition they were in Act. Therefore, no real competitive bidding happened. the last years of government control. Had government Even worse, the COA finds that the project was not privatized the water concessions, Metro Manila awarded even if the winning bidder lacked sufficient would have remained waterless. Had government documents required. This was, in the COA's view a not opened the door to private investments, SC I EX negotiated procurement thinly disguised as a competi- and TIPLEX would not have been built. tive bidding. Mega Manila would have been even more congested The COA findings could prove fatal to this bulk water than it is now. supply project the metropolitan area so direly needs. It We knew for years that we needed a large and mod- might not be too late, however, to reimagine the project em airport But for too long, bureaucratic mindset got and rethink the engineering and financing approaches in the way to getting it done. To be sure, San Miguel Corp. made government As early as 2009, the Osaka-based Global Utility an offer very difficult to resist The entire P735 billion Development Corp. (GUDC) proposed a $410-million airport will be built by the conglomerate at no cost to weir project on a 25-year build-operate-transfer scheme. government. No government guarantee was required This could be built much more quickly than a full-scale for financing the project. The proponent will even spend dam without having to resort to borrowing. for all right-of-way acquisitions. SMC had already ac- The proposed Kaliwa Intake Weir will be just 7 meters quired the 2,500 hectares of land for the gateway. The high with a 16-kilometer tunnel that can deliver 5501 corporation will build the rail line and elevated roads million liters a day That is enough to supply the city's' to the facility. foreseeable needs. The tunnel will be 3.3 meter high and To top it all, SMC will give government 200 hectares can be built very quickly for free. Government agencies could be moved out of It is never too late to drastically rethink this project. the crowded city and relocated to an area with superior After all, the plan to build a large dam on Kaliwa River accessibility. has not yet been granted an environmental compliance The construction of the new airport, to start before certificate. The local government of Infanta, Quezon is this year ends, will bring life to what had literally be- determined to block the dam - given the massive loss come a backwater area. The land San Miguel acquired of cropland, rangeland and forest cover that the dam was flooded most of the year. The salt beds and fish- design will cause. ponds were made useless by severe pollution in the bay Contrary to the MWSS' claims, the approvals given. Among the first things San Miguel will do is to bring by the Quezon provincial government and by the Cala- , in Dutch consultants to design solutions to the flooding. barzon regional development council are not sufficient. , The mangrove areas will be rehabilitated. The Local Government Code requires the approval of The backwater will become a hub of economic activ- the local government legislative council for projects that ity Regional air services will use the new airport to bring iriffict substantial environmental costs. in more flights to the city. It will be a center for aircraft And then there are the issues related to loss of an- maintenance and logistics services. cestral domain. The design for a full-scale dam puts indigenous communities at risk of being submerged eit,19FY. 9f.,1PtIsitigs7,activtY this will generate willsustain our economic expansion for der:Ades. or being cut off. It might do well for our officials to go back to the drawing board given the issues raised. STRATEGIC LI RIPE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION 4- Q, STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE -...... /asse SERVICE

PAGE I/ DAN Challenge to students: Study climate change rom Sept. zo to 27, students all over the ready living on the margins. And as the world world walked out of class for the Global focuses on brave, intelligent Greta Thunberg, Climate Strike. We did it for our lives, we it risks forgetting about other voices that are did it for our future, boycotting school in COMMENTARY just as vital. The indigenous youth, whose F RIO CONSTANTINO the face of an impending climate disaster. But communities are among those most in danger as the strikes wind down for now, I have a of climate change, and who are fighting for strange piece of advice for fellow young strik- their lives in the face of it—what insights do ers: Go study. they have to share? Shouldn't they have a Climate change is complex. The crisis we greater say in this crisis? face involves multiple layers of interwoven is- A big reason why getting organized is so sues. If, for example, we want to address CO2 important is that it's not just an additive pro- building up in the atmosphere, we also have to WHICH ORGANIZATIONS, CORPO- cess. It's multiplicative. Climate change is find out the amount of CO2 actually present in maddeningly complex. No one person could go the air, which countries and corporations RATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS at it alone, which is why we join together. Sci- emitted the CO2, and at whose expense. All entists pool their knowledge with community these issues and more are tied together, and BEGAN TO DIG UP AND BURN organizers and human rights defenders, while being a good activist means being able to un- also seeking the help of artists to share their ravel them and see where they connect. FOSSIL FUELS FOR ENERGY AND findings in new and powerful ways. Being an Of the different threads to be followed, sci- activist for climate change doesn't mean just' ence provides the clearest start. Understanding MONEY, AND CONTINUE TODD SO showing up. It's also about joining the move- climate change requires understanding basic ment while bearing some skill or idea of your concepts, like global warming and greenhouse TODAY? WHO RUNS THEM? DO own to contribute to the collective effort. gases, and mastering these issues requires the The climate strike in September won't be lessons taught by basic biology, physics and THE REST OF US HAVE ANY SAY? the last. As governments around the world chemistry. The first people to recognize cli- fall short of addressing the climate crisis, it's' mate change were scientists who had the train- dead in her village. She was a 57-year-old our young voices that will force them to sit up' ing and bravery to read the data and warn us of grandmother who spearheaded the Coal-Free and listen. And as strikers continue to orga- the implications of the patterns coming out Bataan Movement, leading her community in nize their own actions both locally and inter- However, science by itself isn't enough. protest against the expansion of local coal nationally, students should remember: Don't Humans caused climate change, and so are plants. For that, she was killed. Since then, the be afraid to get out of your classes, grab your part of the equation, too. Which organiza- Philippines has become the deadliest country placards and go study. tions, corporations and institutions began to in the world for environmental defenders. dig up and burn fossil fuels for energy and Where has justice gone? Rio Constantino is a second-year biology money, and continue to do so today? Who If there's one thing to be sure of, it's that major at the University of the Philippines runs them? Do the rest of us have any say? the threat posed by climate change affects ev- and a volunteer of the environmental orga- On July 1, 2016, Gloria Capitan was shot eryone, everywhere, especially people al- nization 350.org Pilipinas.

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surges," said Haribon. onserve biodiversity. Yes,1 as simple as that. But this In other words, efforts towards is not a simple solution climate change adaptation and mitigation, and the protection and, Go Green, send us an email: as it needs the collective EnvironmentMB*gmail.com human push to make it happen. ' conservation of biodiversity must be looked at interdependently "Climate change is not an issue The inter-governmental panel and renewable sources of human separate from biodiversity loss, subsistence will also help sustain as one inevitably affects the other. on Climate Change's (IPCC) fifth assessment report states that ecosystems and biodiversity for For instance, the destruction, future generations. degradation, and loss of forests "conserving natural terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems "Despite existing policies and over the past decades have localization efforts, the country must dramatically increased the amount and restoring degraded ecosystems (including their genetic and species expedite effective implementation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, concrete environmental solutions thereby amplifying the greenhouse diversity) is essential for the overall goals of both the Convention on to meet the bat Our commitments gas effect," said a statement from Biological Diversity (CBD) and the - in international agreements Haribon Foundation. demand double the time for our The issue of climate change United National Pram ework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)." institutions to operationalize and was once again at the forefront. fund conservation programs," said With millions of people across the the Foundation. planet joining the global Climate Since 2017, the Philippines has "We are in the midst of the sixth Strike to the call of emergency made committed to the Paris Agreement mass extinction," said Thunberg. by one person (16-year-old Greta in aiming to increase the ability of Indeed, it is true. The ecosystems Thunberg), there is no more time countries to respond to the impacts of and biodiversity are vulnerable to waste to address climate change climate change, and to the Convention' to climate change, making efforts on Biological Diversity (CBD) sincl to conserve and protect the i 1993 with the goal to conserve biological environment and everything that especially in the season of increased,I diversity, promote sustainable use of lives in it more relevant than ever. global temperatures and heat waves. biodiversity components, and equitable The Foundation further noted sharing of benefits from using its that a significant amount of carbon 1 resources. is conserved in natural forests (up ta Ecosystem services from 250 MgC/ha) and can be emitted ta biodiversity are key to eliminating the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas ' greenhouse gases and protecting through deforestation. , communities from disastrous climate "Illegal, uncontrolled use, and change impacts such as flashfloods blasting of marine habitats such and fatal storm surges. as mangroves, seagrass beds, an Moreover, engineering innovative coral reefs have also resulted in the massive decline of fish catch and degraded ecosystem services. These benefits from ecosystems include carbon sequestration or the ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide, and protection from floods and storm STRATEGIC THE F0 1-111LIPRINE. "4 DIPED PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON aig COMMUNICATION D'Co STORY STORY veitommf INMATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE -•••••• 1171 PAGE,/ PM- °EV Time to act on climate change, Phl tells UN

By JANVIC MATEO Lean delegation UNITED NATIONS - The Philippines is not backing down Locsin made the statement on in its call for countries to act on climate change even as it sent a climate change even as the country "lean" delegation to the historic Climate Action Summit held here took the backseat in the summit in New York last week. convened by Guterres last Sept. 23. The country was not among Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro sure up to what is needed, we all face those that delivered commitments Locsin Jr., speaking before the Unit- the same fate: a diminished existence on climate action, which included ed Nations General Assembly on then extinction altogether. But the proposals to reduce carbon emis- Saturday (early Sunday in Manila), most to blame will suffer less; and sions to slow down global warm- stressed the need for countries to only much later than those who are ing and strengthen mitigation and start acting on climate change, not- the least at fault," he said. adaptation efforts. ing that the Philippines is among "We already have the global frame- Climate Secretary Emmanuel de those hard hit. works to address poverty, sustain Guzman said he was not able to at- "Climate change-or as (UN) Sec- development, and combat climate tend the summit due to "pressing retary General (Antonio) Guterres change. So, let's just do it. To borrow domestic concerns," particularly calls it, the climate crisis - is the from Kung Fu Panda, 'Enough talk, budget deliberations in Congress. defining development issue of our let's fight' The Secretary General Nevertheless, he said the Phil- time," he said. urges us to actually plant trees than ippines had a "lean delegation" "Climate change has brought my plan some more to plant them. I think composed of representatives from country - already one of the most he's fed up," he added. the Philippine Permanent Mission vulnerable countries to disasters - The foreign affairs chief stressed in New York, National Economic extreme weather events of increas- the need for climate action for the and Development Authority and ing recurrence and strength," he present and future generation. the Climate Change Commission. added. "For God's sake, they're already Even United States President Describing the phenomenon as screaming at us. They see what's Donald Trump, a climate change the "reverse of God," Locsin said there and we refuse; none so blind, skeptic, briefly dropped by the disaster wipes out socio-economic indeed," he said, referring to the summit while he was at the UN gains and reverses economic growth youth who have organized a global headquarters to attend a separate built with great sacrifice. - climate strike participated by mil- event on religious freedom. "If climate action does not mea- lions around the world. De Guzman, in his statement fol-

lowing the summit, congratulated Guterres and the country co-chairs of the priority action tracks for suc- The climate body chief also ex- cessfully organizing the event. pressed hope that developed coun- "We welcome the collaboration tries would deliver promptly on among governments, private sec- their financing commitment under tor, civil society and the youth to the Paris Agreement for the climate produce a balanced and diverse set actions of developing countries such of committed actions for achieving as the Philippines. the long-term temperature goal of "Finally, we laud the youth across the Paris Agreement," he said. the globe for manifesting its col- "We trust that the committed ac- lective resolve to participate in the tions will uphold the time-honored process of finding and implementing principles of the Convention — the transformative climate solutions and common but differentiated responsi- in calling on world leaders to respond bilities and respective capabilities, and decisively to the climate emergency the precautionary principle," he added. with climate justice," he added.

STRATEGIC I 1 I I COMMUNICATION VIPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON eak INITIATIVES STORY STORY .01.011•111/ SERVICE MANILMAJULLETIN PAGE TOWER THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 40°03- 110 PAGE I/ DATE Pinoy environmentalists call for action vs. coal

Eco groups stage a protest marking a self- declared National Day of Action Against Coal

In line with global advocacy efforts across the country. climate change. We can do that by surrounding the recent landmark Environmentalists, religious eliminating coal and most advanced United Nations Climate Action Summit groups, and residents of communities countries in the world have done so. in New York, environmental groups affected by coal-fired power plant But the Philippines is increasing its in the Philippines launched similar operations along with other concerned use of coal-fired power plants against initiatives aimed in particular against citizens and stakeholders comprised all logic," said Gerry Arances, lead continued dependence on fossil fuels the rally, demanding a moratoriuin on convenor of P4P in the country's energy mix. new coal power plants as well as the According to P4P, the Philippines' The Power for People Coalition full implementation of the Renewable energy sustainability ranking has (P4P) declared last Sept. 24 as National Energy Law. slipped from 70th to 94th, and its Day of Action Against Coal, the first "The directive of the President to environmental sustainability ranking commemoration of its kind marked reduce coal reliance and fast-track skidded from first to 68th, based on the by a protest march along Mendiola renewable energy development is latest World Energy Council (WEC) Street in front of Malacafiang Palace clear. We are here to demand a follow Trilemma Index. together with simultaneous rallies in through from the administration," "We are one of the countries most La Union, Quezon, Palawan, Negros said Ian Rivera of the Philippine vulnerable to climate change. We Occidental, Davao Movement for Climate Justice, one of cannot let the current state of affairs City, and the member groups of P4P. continue and expect that we would other "Based on the latest still have a country to call home in the areas Intergovernmental Panel on Climate future. Only direct and decisive action Change (IPCC) report, we have less today will prevent certain catastrophe than 11 years to avert catastrophic tomorrow," said Arances.

STRATEGIC I 1:13 CEJ COMMUNICATION UPPER PAGE I TANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON a INMATTVES 0-5 In STORY STORY 11111/111.11W SERVICE MANIL:ULLETIN PAGE LOWER THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER ,1.0— cis - ist TITLE: PAGE I/ DATE ir NC) MuW WHEN? is time tli L the Philippine isiness community take the challenge of sustainability seriously'

In addition to proactive environmental conservation and disaster resiliency efforts, a faith-based environmen- tal group at this year's State of Nature Assessment or "Green SONA" in Puerto Princesa is urging Filipinos to address the problem of climate change through wiser financial and investment decisions. veLIMATE Living Laudato Si is the latest movement that joins increasing efforts of various non-profit and socio-civic groups to mitigate climate risk in the Philippines. his a response to the landmark 2015 encyclical issued by Pope Francis. "Lauda' o Si: On Care for Our Common Home" that outlines concrete steps the Catholic and Christian IIISTIL faithful can take amid a world besieged by challenges of climate change. According to the group's lead convenor, environ- mentalist and 2018 The Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines (TOYM) awardee Rodne - Gandhi, Filipinos may not realize that they have the "power of the purse" when it corn pro-environmental efforts. OR "While action avoiding: tics, proper waste inahlgetnefit, andbtheilndivi measures we take as ordinary Filipinos are very im- portant, an efficient and impactful manner by which we can achieve permanent positive change for the environment is through sustainable enterprise," he explained. Globally companies and businesses are increas- ingly being called upon to create value for sharehold- ers while ensuring positive impact on the environ- ment. — Investors and stakeholders in Philippine enter- prises have the right to call for sustainable business practices." said Galicha. This means making sure that our money is not used for coal fed powerplants mining and other environmentally destructivehtisi- 'leases " Conversely. Filipinos are urged to support "green" businesses and companies that have clear commit- ;Litchis to sustainable operations. "It is time that the Philippine business commu- 'nity take the challenge of sustainability seriously" "stressed Galicha in a panel discussion on renew- able energy at the 2019 Green SONA organized by Green Convergence Philippines, Forest Foundation Philippines. and supported by Energy Development Corporation.

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"The places with the least level Time says Manila of economic development are Kiribati - "Kiribati-Tarawa's certainly in line to feel the impacts single paved road has collapsed under threat; 500 with the greatest degree, partiaily because of the flooding from the scientists reject just due to their geographic fate — sea. The people of Kiribati are under or their location — but more so pressure to relocate due to sea level 'climate emergency' based on the socio-economic and rise Each year, the sea level rises by govemance factors,' says Smith. about half an inch. Though this may First 'To get a sense of the challenges not sound like much, it is a big deal word OBSERVER different regions are facing, Time considering the islands are only a CE V - spoke to experts about six countries few feet above sea level.... °ERA L YEN and cities that will be be particularly "Rising sea levels mean that Kiribati develop- taMAKABENTA affected by climate change" may be wiped off the map entirely in ments on The six countries and cities, ac- the coming decades. The islands have the climate front impel me to turn cording to Time are: even purchased 5,000 acres of land again to climate change in my col- Lagos, Nigeria - "Lagos is at in Fiji in rase they need to relocate" umn today in order to assess their 'extreme' risk on Mapleaofes Climate United Arab Emirates - IT] implications. '0% ObserverA6 Change Vulnerability Index. This is es- he United Arab Emirates is facing pecially concerning because its popu- many risks due to its location. Like Yemen and other neighboring states, the UAE is facing an 'extreme Time says lation is expanding rapidly, and it is risk' of water stress, according to considered to be a major economic First, Time magazine online has Smith, and will need to spend a lot listed Manila as one of six regions/ engine for the region." cities that face the gravest risks Haiti - "Climate change can be a more energy on cooling. from the dimate crisis. 'threat multiplier says Christina Chan, "Unlike many other countries fac- Second, 500 scientists, engineers the director of the World Resources ing these threats, however, the UAL is and professionals have sent the Institute's dimate resilience practice wealthier and is able to make sophisti- United Nations secretary-general This is especially true for Haiti. The cated investments to blunt the impact a declaration, saying, "There is no island nation is located in the 'Atlantic of climate change For instance, the climate emergency." Hurricane Basin; which means that it LAE is working to produce its own Third, a research study has is vulnerable to hurricanes. In com- fresh water, build temperature-con- uncovered 50 years of failed parison to other projections on climate trolled spaces, investments in green doomsday predictions. change scientists are less certain about the fink between climate change and energy, and developing crops that can Countries/cities hurricane frequency and intensity...." withstand hotter temperatures." most under threat Yemen - "Countries with weak institutions and governments are No climate emergency In its report last week Time wrote: likely to find it especially difficult to "Climate change is expected to adapt to climate change says Smith. In an article published on September affect every country in the world, Since civil war broke out in Yemen 29, the Washington limes reported but its impact will not be felt equally in 2015, hundreds of thousands of that at the Global Climate Summit across all regions and some will be people have been killed directly as a convened on September 23 by the worse hit than others because of a result of the conflict, but also due to UN, 500 international scientists, range of different threats. the subsequent famine poor sanita- engineers and other stakeholders is- "Developing countries, places with tion and a lack of clean water!' sued a declaration, saying 'There is widespread poverty, and countries with Both war and climate change no climate emergency." ineffective govemments sometimes will make water shortages and The European Climate Declaration, face the gravest risks from the chang- famine more likely. spearheaded by the Amsterdam- ing climate, and are usually poorly 3. Manila, Philippines - 'The based Climate Intelligence Founda- equipped to find ways to prepare for Philippines faces a high risk of natu- tion (Clintel), described the lead- and prevent environmental threats. ral disasters, including earthquakes, ing climate models as "unfit" and "Measuring the future impact of tsunamis, floods, and especially urged UN Seaetary-General Antonio climate change is very challenging hurricanes. Manila, which is located Guterres to pursue a climate policy because scientists' dimate change pro- along the coast is also densely popu- based on "sound science" jections cannot be completely exact lated, which makes it more difficult to "Current climate policies point- and because there are many different evacuate, requires more social services lessly and grievously undermine the factors that come into play.... There and makes it more challenging to economic system, putting lives at risk are other non-climatic factors that rebuild after a disaster.... in countries denied access to afford- also determine how severely a city or "However, Chan says that the Phil- able, reliable electrical energy," said country will be impacted by climate ippines is in fact on the 'forefront of the September 23 letter signed by change. Niall Smith, who analyzes the adaptation' to climate change and professionals from 23 countries. regions' climate change vulnerability have designated part of their budget Most of the signers hailed from for the global risk consulting firm to making their country's agricul- Europe, but there were also sci- Mapleaoft, tells Tunethat it's also nec- tural sector and infrastructure more entists from the United States, essary to weigh in what's happening resilient and preparing to respond Canada, Australia, New Zealand politically and socially in a region to to future disasters." and South America. figure out if the country can prepare &SS ak !(17NIAB47INI 1(.CAT ION PP ER PAGE 1 BANNER EDUORIAL CAR100N STORY STORY ....,...... ~ TNITIA FIVES PAGE LOWER ...... arir SERVICE 5Nt1 Zit%

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"We urge you to follow a climate Six-point declaration policy based on sound science, 50 years of failed predictions realistic economics and genuine The declaration made six points: concern for those harmed by costly Nature as well as anthropo- The Cooperative Enterprise Insti- but unnecessary attempts at miti- genic factors cause warming. tute, a libertarian think tank based gation," the letter said. Warming is far slower than in Washington D.C., has compiled The signers urged the world predicted. a list of failed climate predictions, body to organize a meeting of Climate policy relies on inad- which it titled "50 Years of Failed scientists "on both sides of the equate models. Eco-pocalyptic Predictions." dimate debate early in 2020." Carbon dioxide is "plant food, John Nolte, writing in the Bre- The sheer number of prominent the basis of all life on Earth." itbart, was especially crushing. He signers of the declaration, with sd- Global warming has not in- wrote on September 20: entific and engineering credentials, creased natural disasters. "For more than 50 years climate belied the alarmists' contention that ,"Climate policy must respect alarmists in the scientific community only a handful of fringe research- scientific and economic realities." and environmental movement have ers and fossil-fuel shills oppose the Convincing climate-focused in- not gotten even one prediction cor- climate-catastrophe "consensus." stitutions like the UN to engage on rect, but they do have a perfect record The US contingent was made up such topics has been a struK e, said of getting 41 predictions wrong. of 45 US professors, engineers and Guns Berkhout, professor emeritus "In other words, on at least 41 scientists, including MIT professor of geophysics at Delft University of occasions, these so-called experts emeritus Richard Lindzen, Freeman Technology and a Clintel co-founder. have predicted some terrible en- Dyson of the Institute of Advanced Professor Berkhout said ofthe initia- vironmental catastrophe was im- Studies at Princeton, and Stanford tive 'Wepromoteasdentificrliscission minent...and it never happened. University professor emeritus Elliott atthe highcsdevelbetweenbothsides of And not once — not even once! D. Bloom, as well as several signers the dimate debate, but the mainstream — have these alarmists had one of formerly affiliated with NASA. refuses so far...They always come with their predictions come true." the same arguments: they are right and we are wrong Period!" ye_nmakabenta@yahoacom Indeed, the UN is moving full speed ahead on carbon neutrality with policyrnakets, researchers and media outlets calling for increasingly urgent measures to combat the "cli- mate crisis" and "climate emergency." In their letter, the Clintel network called it "cruel as well as imprudent to advocate the squandering of trillions of dollars on the basis of results from such immature models... 'The science is far from settled."

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Friedrich Ebert Stiftung: Championing social justice and democracy

ince 1964, the Friedrich Ebert The pressing issue on climate change can address is the Philippines' electricity Stiftung (FES) Philippinesj, and the fad that the Philippines is the prodtiction which, because of its huge alongside stakeholders, bringes world's fifth most climate-vulnerable dependence on burning imported coal, is Sthe voice of social justice and country offer an opportunity to talk about neither economically nor environmentally democracy through ' dialogue and social justice in the country. One particular sustainable. international cooperation. area that FES Philippines took as an area it There is a dearth of renewable energy

Sen. Win Gatchalian on an information visit to Rheinsberg Nuclear One of the activities of REBOOT (Renewable Energy Boot Camp) Power Plant currently being decommissioned as part of Germany's is an immersion in sites where micro-grid structures are located. energy shift. Photo by Renee Tumalluen/FES Philippines This one is taken in Aurora. Photo by FES Philippines

experts with the technical, business, and political skills to build a sustainable and adequate energy supply. This is precisely the objective of the Renewable Energy Boot Camp, a training programme supported by FES, which finished its second batch of advocates training just last July 2019. FES also works with current decision-makers to inform energy policy and practices. FES supported a visit by Philippine legislators in 2017 to Germany, including the Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, to explore how the nuclear option may perhaps not have all the security and cost benefits that they had been hoping for. The hopes for a democratic and just transition are not only a package of social justice, but also an answer to the call to deepen democracy The work on democracy will never be whole without the front and center topic on trade unionism. This year, the foundation is piloting a study on gender justice in the well-talked about topic on The Future of Work among unions in the Philippines, in partnership with the Labor• Education and Research Network (LEARN) and the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLALR). An outlook on how gender gap in trade unionism and in the workplace can be exacerbated or improved by the digitalisation and automation of industries in the Philippines is something worth looking at as we value the perennial role of democracy in development. For more information about the work by FES in the Philippines, visit the official website: www.fes-philippines.org and follow their Facebook fan page (FES Philippines) on Facebook STRATEGIC ‘, UPPE PAGE BANNER EENTORIA1 CARTOON 6 COMMUNICATION 0 STORY STORY arsoPom'imm INITIATIVES PAGE Emosie"mg , aERVICE

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Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung: Promoting climate justice in the Philippines

e Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung work on "energy democracy" and "false justice. (RLS) celebrates its first year solutions to climate change" with its The specific work task of n the Philippines with a local and international partners through the climate justice program is the rirenewed vigor to work on capacity building trainings, academic interconnectedness of climate justice issues related to climate justice in the research and gatherings that promote matters in the Philippines and Indonesia region. In 2016, the RLS was granted democratic participation. In its work, the with the discussions on climate action funds by the German government to ALS aims to study and promote solutions in Europe and on the international level. launch a climate justice program in the to climate change that are initiated by The RLS launched its key activity Philippines and Indonesia. communities, local organizations and for the year last September, Beyond Following its robust start last year, inspired by think tanks and academia Borders, Beyond Labels — a global the RLS Climate Program continues to grounded on the principles of climate solidarity conference that sought

to unite voices from the scientific Transition last July and will continue community, civil society, and the lecture series on questions of the poficymaking field to amplify cans metabolism of nature and capital. for the recognition of the rights of With a solid grounding on climate-induced migrants in a deeply climate justice, the RLS Manila shall divided political landscape. be expanding to a regional office to The RLS has also begun its Red cover the Philippines, Indonesia, and Rosa Talks, a series of lectures and Malaysia in 2020. The office will be discussions tackling pertinent issues working on a broader set of topics that in the climate change movement. It aims to promote civic education and concluded its first installment on Just democratic participation. In STRA1 I I I TANNER COMMUNICATION PAGET EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY INI I IATIVES OWTR SlitVICE 101aniia Lti,1

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THE MANILA TIMES PHILIPPINE MODEL CITIES AND MbitifirITIES Environment protection key to building tter landsca e for n x • en ration

- - - _ Land Use Act (NaLlIA), which seeks to harmonize sector-specific land BY EDWIN P. SALLAN use policies and institutionalize land use planning. "We need a NaLLIA PHOTOS BY RENE DILAN AND GERARD SEGUIA in the Philippines in order to curtail the adverse effects of the improper land use planning and management," she said.

NVIRONMENT protection, climate Green architecture change and disaster preparedness were Celebrated architect and urban planner Felino Palafox, Ir. offered the most recurring concerns raised by a similar view as Villar's as Ile advocates for "green architecture" or E projects that create buildings that not only have minimal impact on most of the speakers at this year's edition of human health and the environment but are also appealing to tourists. "The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities As a matter of fact, he said masterplans in Siargao and Corregidor have already included green architecture. and Municipalities" which was anchored on "Many tourists now, especially the younger ones, prefer environment- the theme, Building Better Landscapes for friendly, green sustainable tourism, buildings and facilities," Palafox the Next Generation. pointed out. Noting that architects should go beyond designing structures and should include caring for the environment, Palafox said his firm, Palafox The event which took place at New World Manila Bay Hotel, Asssociates, has always pushed for sustainable tourism as pan of their Malate Manila, on September 25 aimed to focus on the local gov- ernment units' respective comprehensive development plan for the next advocacy in building structure designs. three years. In assessing this year's model towns and cities, emphasis was These should also include roads which should allow more space for given on social develop- pedestrians without their own vehicles. ment, economic growth "[There should be] one-third for people, pedestrians and bicycles. and yes, environmental One-third for trees and landscaping. And one-third for moving traffic , protection. lanes or vehicles. It takes about 10 trees to recover the oxygen out of the carbon monoxide per car," he further noted. Enviroment Angeline Tham, chief executive officer of popular ride-hailing and protection "We are at a time when disasters, both delivery senice app, Angkas, agrees and added that "people don't realize natural and man-made, how Itraffic] congestion affects our society in a more profound way. It are happening in almost affects our choices, it affects our freedom, it affects our mental health." every part of the globe. Recognizing Angkas' focus on "safe and professional" rides has So, we have to take en- prompted Congress and the Department of Transportation to allow vironment protection Angkas to operate. seriously, especially in "[This is] an example of a private sector and a government can provide Senator Cynthia Villar community or city plan- a joint solution to some of our traffic loads," Tham underscored. keynote ning. That by itself is doing the future generation a favor," noted Climate change and disaster preparedness speaker Sen. Cynthia Villar. Still on the subject of environment protection, Manila Times columnist Senate Environment Natural Resources For Villar, who chairs the Ludwig Federigan said that "the imperative for a whole-of-government progress need not come at the and Climate Change Committee, and whole-of-society effort to fight and build community resilience expense of the environment as she called on local government units to against climate change has never been more pronounced than ever." give greater emphasis on environmental protection. Citing alarming data from 2019 Global Climate Risk Index by Ger- "So, of all the criteria and considerations we have included in the , manwatch and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical search for model city or municipality — social development, economic Services Administration (PAGASA), Federigan noted "drastic changes in growth and environmental protection — we need to put greater emphasis weather pattems, increase in frequency, intensity and duration of floods, on the latter. Social development and economic growth should not be and droughts in the face of climate change." at the expense of economic protection," Villar argued. - "Sea level rise in the country is projected to be at 60 centimeters (cm) For her part, National Economic and Development Authority or three times the global average of 19 cm, with about 60 percent of our (NEDA) Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro stressed the need kir com- local government units at risk of storm surges, flash floods and saltwater prehensive land use policy can lead to better landscapes for the next intrusion," Federigan further warned. generation. Hence, the need to anchor model cities on disaster preparedness, "In general, the effect of improper land use planning and manage- according to Leyte Fourth District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez. ment is uncoordinated and unsustainable use of the country's land, Torres-Gomez said the challenge is how to make cities sustainable, which is manifested by urban sprawl or uncontrolled development that encroaches on agricultural land, thereby endangering our food security, and also encroaches on other fragile areas," Navarro mused. For this reason, Navarro is hoping for the passage of the National >-Environment protectionF2

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- 7 given that they occupy only three percent of the earth's land, yet more than half of the world's population prefer to live here. "Our model cities and municipalities must be developed with renew- able energy as main component, which is the best way to avoid dumping carbon emission into the atmosphere," she said, mentioning that Ormoc City, under the leadership of her husband, Richard Gomez, is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world. Torres-Gomez concluded that economic progress was possible amid natural disasters and human-induced challenges, like the Marawi siege and the unfortunate Resorts World fire as the Philippines was able to maintain a high gross domestic product despite global fluctuations and the calamities Filipinos face year after year, season after season the past 10 years.

Social development and economic growth In terms of social development and economic growth, Lobien Realty Group Inc. chief executive officer Sheila Lobien is happy to report that the Philippine real estate industry "will continue to grow" outside Metro Manila, citing the progress made in Pampanga, Cebu and Davao. Lobien said Clark, Pampanga, in particular, looks attractive to busi- ness process outsourcing offices and multinational firms with its lower rental rates. Cebu, on the other hand, is "home to the biggest master- planned developments in the Visayas," with "numerous options for office, commercial and residential needs" while "Davao should be able to increase its CRDP (gross regional domestic product), as infrastructure projects start to kick in in that region." Even with all these encouraging developments, the ease of doing business in the Philippines still has "a long way to go" according to Eleanor Roque, head of the tax advisory and compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, a leading professional services firm. "It takes a much longer time — usually a month — in the country to process the documents required to start a business, compared to only one day in Singapore. These documents include barangay (village) clearance, community tax certificate and business permit," Roque noted. Citing these and other related concerns, the P&A official said LGUs should "streamline the steps for registering," in accordance with Repub- lic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. (With reports by Javier J. Ismael, Anna Leah E. Gonzales, Franz Lewin Embudo, Tyrone Jasper C. Piad, Ludwig 0. Federigan and Arlo Custodio)

The Wanda Timms The Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities Nodding Rodin l,PITCSOeO 1m Mr NM BUMIAIiIM an *CI

'11RINinnerd and sponsors of the3rd TheManila TimesPhilippine Model Cities and Munitipalities Awards: Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonatdia (seventh from left), Ormoc (ity. Mayor Richard Gomez(sixth from right), General Trias City Mayor Antonio Ferrer (eight from left), Wean Mayor Christina Eraser) (sloth from left), Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio "Roy" Cruz Jr. (fifth from left), Mien Mayor.Maria Rosario Ochoa-Montejo (fourth from left). Sponsors (from extrme left) Mercy Franco of DM pharmaceutical; toren Sales of Phirst Park Romeo; Jane Wan, vice president of Business Development at OPPO Pli; :Jericho Linen, COO of !Alen Realty Group;Atty.. Lea Rogue, head, Tax Advisory and Compliance Division MA Grant Thornton; Deanna Claveria,Suntrust Properties Inc. EVP and COO; With them are The Manila limesPresident and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Wink' And 2nd (extreme right) and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado (third from left). STRATEGIC 7.-21F11119r M-P131 %-lirnffROIM I I I I I COMMUNICATION Epp PAGE I ANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON INITIATIVES 1 D-5 MORT STORY yeisar 33,mmpplIiiir SERVICE MANILAPBULLETIN PAGE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 4_0-os- 19

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PAWIKANA PUNONG BABE? PUNO NA AKO

It's more fun to promote sustainability

The Department of Tourism (DOT) voiced messages to friends and loved ones. puno na ako,"Leaf It alone,' and 'Fish out 'Ayoko sa plastic' through a set of online With most Filipinos online, DOT took be with you' as well as everyday Filipino stickers that promote sustainable tourism. advantage of the situation to boost expressions like 'Ingat and Izmir,' are only 'Ayoko sa plastic' Is one of its online awareness using everyday expressions, and a few of the things that are featured. The 4ickers that can be downloaded and puns, partnered with stylized illustrations, sticker pack also features animal Species in qd on Viber and instagram accounts to that discuss environmentalism with a twist. the country, including the Iconic Philippine e responsible and sustainable tourism Lines like 'Pawikana babe,' Punong- eagle, the tarsier, and more.

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China celebrates 70 years There was no parade of new armory or sleek, shiny weap- Trash talk / ons and neither was there a massive display of military tanks Speaking of our relationship with other countries, the Duterte just as China did in central Beijing on Tuesday. administration is right in insisting before the government of Canada that the Philippines is not a dumping ground for its But China's 70th anniversary celebration in the Phil- trash. ippines was no doubt grand and pompous, too. Makati However, players in the recycling industry lament that the Shangri-la's Rizal Ballroom glittered with bright red flags issue has put recycling in a bad light. and at least for a night, guests were treated to rich Chinese culture and cuisine. The intensity was almost tangible — Xi In a recent interview, Crispian Lao, head of Philippine Jinping's books were free for the taking and the naturally Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability said the controversy surrounding Canada waste has put recycling in soft Chinese classical music — played on small ensembles a bad light. — filled the air. EYES WIDE Security was tighter than in the "While recyclables were part of the shipment, they are highly previous years in the strictly by- contaminated. On the other hand, it shows that government poli- OPEN invitation only event as VIPs lined cies, though imperfect, work (But) there should be a better way of up to pay their courtesies to Chinese properly defining and classifying materials as recydables versus Ambassador Zhao Jianhua who stood out among the crowd because waste and there is a need to set standards," Lao says. of his signature fuchsia Tang suit. Moratorium on waste importation Some of the country's top ty- Recycling industry players support government efforts to coons, diplomats, and government keep the Philippines as sustainable and environmentally safe officials graced the event. as possible. However, the recycling industry is hoping the The world stage government would be cautious in coming out with policies Over the course of 70 years, in the future as drastic measures may significantly affect the China is now on the world stage recycling industry. from a position of isolation, Arab. Zhao said in his speech. Lao agrees. He said disallowing imports of recyclable "The number of countries that have diplomatic relations plastic may affect some sectors. with China has increased from 18 to 179," he said. It is no secret that in the Philippines, there are many He also trumpeted China's modern day Silk Road, the industries that need recyclable plastics and waste such as Belt and Road initiative. cement for instance. "China has signed agreements on Belt and Road Initiative An important industry (BRI) cooperation with 136 counties and 30 international "Recycling is a key industry in the Philippines and there organizations," the Chinese envoy notes. is room to grow. The informal sector or waste pickers ben- China and the Philippines efit from this and the industry generates employment from Touching on the relationship between Manila and Beijing, this," Lao said Amb. Zhao says the partnership remains strong. Waste management "China and the Philippines are good neighbors, sincere He also says recycling is key to waste management Aside from reducing waste, recycling is also an integral part be- Mends and trusted partners. Under the strategic guidance of cause it gives materials a second chance. President Xi Jtriping and President Duterte, China-Philippine "Following the hierarchy of waste management, Avoid- relations have moved forward steadily and have delivered ance (REDUCE) is top of the list and the aim is to minimize tangible outcomes." waste generation. Then comes REUSE to allow the maximum On the controversial sea dispute, the ambassador insists that use of our limited resources. Next is RECYCLE to give the China is committed to sharing the benefits of development with materials a second chance," Lao says. the Philippines. He said these three Rs are key components of waste man- "It is our belief that South China Sea issue is not the sum agement, together with treatment and final disposal which total of China-Philippine relations, nor disputes, the sum total are still lacking in the Philippines. of South China Sea issue. We would also like to make concerted Drastic change needed efforts with the Philippines to promote substantial progress of In the end, the key is to really reduce each one's waste. the joint exploration of oil and gas." All of us — from businessmen to ordinary citizens --need Furthermore, he said, China would continue to support the a drastic change in lifestyle and mindset to really make a Philippines as country coordinator of China-ASEAN dialogue difference in reducing waste and also in putting our waste relations. into good use. "And it is our hope that during the Philippines' tenure, Code Iris Gonzales' email address is [email protected]. of Conduct (COC) consultations could be concluded with the Follow her on Twitter I Column archives at aim of turning South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship eyesgonzales.com and prosperity," he said. Amb. Zhao is right. The relationship between the two coun- tries has moved forward under the Duterte administration. It is now a waiting game to see how much, in the end, our country and our people would really benefit from our improved ties with one of the world's superpowers.

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LANDSCAPE Police power and tourism

By GEMMA CRUZ ARANETA According to the Department of island. Environment and Natural Resources Significantly enough, there are AST year, 129 million tour- and the World Tourism Council, if existing laws, rules and regulations ists came to Southeast Boracay's real carrying capacity is protecting wetlands, forests, indig- Asia and left $329.5 billion, to be respected, it should receive enous communities, and natural 12 percent of the region's only 19,215 tourists and the number landscapes on Boracay Island and GDP according to the World Travel of permanent residents should not most of our beach resorts. There are &Tourism Council. Those figures exceed 35,730. There is already an ex- regulations about carrying capacity, are expected to increase in the next cess of 17,000 who must be relocated easements, drainage systems, and five years. The mighty tourism wave to'Aklan, as soon as possible. non-obstruction of streams, brooks, will continue to crest as barriers to We were all appalled when Presi- and other natural waterways. But the industry disappear. However, dent Rodrigo Duterte called Boracay obviously, local government officials there are already alarming signs a cesspool (that man does not mince and private sector investors had , that tourism is reaching unsustain- words!) Apparently, he saw a video purposefully violated these laws for able levels. that had gone viral, showing dis- the sake of expediency, or just plain A case in point is Boracay our gusting sewage flowing directly into greed. world-famous destination, coveted Boracay's blue waters and heaps of There were protests by people for its powdery white sand that re- rubbish generated on Boracay more whose livelihood were affected by the mains cool under a blazing tropical than three times higher than in the closure; cases were filed, and some sun. Boracay is a victim of its own Manila, the country's congested reached the Supreme Court. But the success. The island is only 7 kilome- capital. President showed his mailed fist and tres long, barely a kilometer wide at You can imagine how furious the sent the Armed Forces to guard all its narrowest waist. With a total area President must have been when entry points of Boracay. The island of 10.32 square kilometers, there' inspectors reported more than 800 held a soft opening in October, 2018, are at least 500 hotels there, not to environmental violations. He took but Secretary of Tourism Berna mention bars, restaurants, and retail local authorities to task for their Puyat said the cleaning-up must con- shops. It has a resident population negligence and dispatched an tinue as the back streets of Boracay of 38,000 which includes its original emergency government taskforce were still messy. inhabitants, the Atis. to save the island from ecological It may interest you to know that in In 1990, over one million tourists catastrophe. With urgency, he signed the Supreme Court en banc decision visited Boracay and last year when Proclamation No. 475 that declared two justices dissented because they total tourism arrivals peaked at 6.6 a state of calamity in the island of believed that the President's deci- million, 2 million went to Boracay, Boracay and ordered its closure for sion to close Boracay Island for six which is incredible, considering that six months. The Departments of En- months "leads to the realization of there are more than 7,000 islands vironment and Natural Resources, tyranny, the very evil against which to choose from in the Philippine Tourism, and Local Government the Constitution had been crafted archipelago. were commanded to clean up the to guard against..." However, most

STRATEGIC Yi-RwEim-yEs I COMMUNICATION INTER PAGE BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOONI INITIATIVES STORY STORY PAGE ..imisosar SERVICE BIANIL :ULLETIN WEa THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER

UHF 40 03- 19 PAGE 1/ DATE

'N. rOlitt pOWer and TOUrM

justices affirmed that President {PAL} which was no longer a flag Duterte's Proclamation No. 475 is a carrier, was vehemently against the valid police power measure. 5th freedom. Its owner accused me of Sus tainability was not a buzz nothing less than treason. But that word until recently. The "3 pillars was 20 years ago; even PAL must go of sustainable tourism" used to be with the flow. somewhat obscure: Environmental Last year I felt sort of vindicated concerns, socio-cultural and heri- because, at the 32nd ASEAN Summit tage issues were given lip service; in Singapore, connectivity dominated Congressmen could not quite con- the agenda as the ten member coun- nect tourism with economics, they tries expressed commitment to a were more interested in body count "seamless ASEAN Sky." ASEAN was than revenues. Tourism was merely adopting an "open skies" policy and a source of funding for their street it is now enlarging the air market so lighting projects, basketball courts, ASEAN-based airlines can operate and town fiestas. But that is slowly freely in this region of more than 600 changing. million inhabitants. From my perch as Secretary of In 2009, President Gloria Arroyo Tourism, I began to see the obstacles signed Republic Act 9593, the Tour- to tourism sustainability in the Phil- ism Act, the Department of Tour- ippine context which might have ism became the primary planning, been like that of other Southeast programming, coordinating, imple- Asian nations. At the political level, menting, and regulatory government the Department of Tourism, from its agency in the development and creation in 1973, was primarily a poli- promotion of the tourism industry, cymaking, planning, programming, both domestic and international, and coordinating entity, dependent and in coordination with attached on the Executive Branch. It was agencies and other government in- disconnected from the government strumentalities. The department is institutions it needed most, to wit, also mandated to instil in Filipinos the Civil Aeronautics Board, Philip- the fundamental importance of the pine Ports Authority, Departments industry in the generation of em- of Education, Public Works and ployment, investments and foreign Highways, Health, Foreign Affairs, exchange. Environment, and Transportation. However, ten years after that The issue of "Open Skies" was Tourism Act gave more teeth to the both political and economic, and Department of Tourism, today's sit- it was taboo. Inspired by the case ting President had to nick the Con- of Bali, where tourism boomed un- stitution and use his police powers der "open skies," I said Philippine to restore sustainability in just one tourism needed "open skies", dur- island, Boracay. So, that begs the ing a first interview as secretary question -- do we need police power of tourism. After all, 98 percent of to assure tourism sustainability? those who come to the Philippines travel by air. But, Philippine Airlines ([email protected]) r% STRATEGIC EJEJJ e PPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES 1)/ tsar PAGE LOWER ,eare SERVICE II 0-03- 19 HEE MAGANDANG pag-isi- pan ng Department of Education at mga mam- babatas ang panukala ng National Youth Com- mission para maba- wasan ang pagbubuntis ng mga .dalagitang es- tudyante at pagkakaroon ng sakit sa human im- muno-deficiency virus- HIWALAY NA LALAKI, BABAE acquired immunode- LABAN SA TEEN PREGNANCY ficiency syndrome ng ma sa Grades 7-12. EXCLUSIVE mga binatilyo at dalagi- • Marahil ay kasama na Uso noong unarig ta rin dito ang mga out-of- panahon ang exclusive Sabi ni NTC Chair- school youth. schools para sa babae person Ryan Enriquez, Nagdoble rin umano at lalaki. makatutulong nang ma- ang nagkakasakit ng HIV At mayroon pa ring laki ang paghihiwalay ng mula sa 17 porsyento para ganitong mga iskul. mga babae at lalaking mga nasa edad 15 hang- Pero paglipas ng pa- estudyante ng mga class- gang 24 anyos. nahon at dahil sa pa- room. Nitong Hunyo, may ngangailangan, 'yung Ang sasaklawin uma- 1,006 kasong HIV at 52 marami, ginawa nang no ng paghihiwalay ay porsyento rito ang tuma- coed o pinaghalong ba- ang mga nasa Grades ma sa mga may edad na bae at lalaki ang papa- 7 hanggang 12. 25-34 habang 29% na- sok sa iskul at maging 'Yun bang === nasa man ang tumama sa mga sa mga classroom. first year high school may edad 15-24. Dapat umanong ma- hanggang sa senior Kung maghihiwalay layang magkasama-sa- high school. umano ang lalaki at ba- ma ang mga babae at PAL IWANAG bae at masabayan ito ng lalaki sa iskul. Ayon sa NYC, kung mga pag-aaral ukol sa 'Yung iba naman, ni- maghihiwalay umano HIV-AIDS, malaki ang iba- lusaw ang patakaran sa ang babae at lalaki, ma- bawas ng teen pregnancy exclusivity dahil sa pagliit iiwasan umano nang at pagkakaroon ng nasa- ng populasyon ng mga malaki ang sobrang pag- bing mga sakit. nag-eenrol, lab o na sa didikit ng mga naglili- KAINITAN mga pribadong iskul. gawan o magboboypren Sabi ng afing Uzi, kai- Lugi ang abutin nila nang estudyante. nitan nga ng mga kaba- kung ipipilit nila ang hi- Kung hiwalay umano taan sa nasabing mga walay na pag-aaral ng ang mga to at hiwalay edad ang maghanap ng mga babae at lalaki. rin ang grupong pagga- mga ka-weeksary, month- Lab wa ng ng mga assign- o ngayong libre sary at iba pa. ment na ginagawa sa ang pag-aaral sa mga At along mainit uma- mga bahay-bahay na pampublikong paara- no ang interes ng mga ito may mga overtime at lan mula kinder at ele- overnight pa, mababa- sa sex dahil na rin sa ma- mentary hanggang high wasan nang malaki ang layang intemet na pupwe- school at kolehiyo. mga tukso tungo sa deng pagpanooran ng la- SERYOSOHIN pagkakaroon ng kontak hat ng sinehan, kasama Kung sakaling ser- na sekswal. ang mga porno na peliku- yosohin ng mga mam- Batay sa karanasan la. babatas ang nasabing mismo na naire-rekord Ito'y bukod sa natural panukala at maging ba- at naiuulat din ng paha- na tunguhin ng mga ka- tas, makatutulong nga yagang ito, may mga bataan, partikular sa parte laban sa pagbubuntis nabubuntis na estud- ng mga kababaihan, na ng mga dalagita at pag- yante dahil lamang sa magsimula sa mga araw kakaroon ng mga ka- paggawa ng mga over- na sila'y maging dala- bataan ng sakit sa sex time at overnight sa mga ga sa pagkakaroon ng na HIV-AIDS. assignment na ginaga- monthly period, sila'y Wala kasing maga- wa kahit saan, sa boob nagkakaroon na rin ng gawa naman ang DepEd at labas ng mga eskwe- crush. kundi iimplementa ang lahan. At kapag sumalubong batas. Ang pagboboypren ito sa pagka-crush din ng Alalahaning sa ma- sa maraming pagkaka- mga kalalakihan, anak ng raming pagkakataon, taon ay nagsisimula sa tokwa, diyan na sila maka- nabibigo ang mga ma- mga first year high crash at mabubuntis ang gulang, pamilya at guro school at may mga ser- kababaihan. na kontrolin ang mga yoso na makaraan ang Lab o na sa parte ng kabataan sa mga sexual ilang panahon. mga estudyanteng nasa escapade ng mga ito. At lalong naging ser- senior high school na ka- Kung may batas para yoso ang mga relasyon tumbas noon ng first at sa pagkontrol ng mga kung nakarating na ang second year college, pa- ito, may hawak ang mga mga estudyante sa mga nahon na nila ang paglili- magulang, pamilya at tit- huling bahagi ng junior gawan na nauuwi sa pag- ser na kapangyarihan high school at buong aasawa pagtuntong nila laban sa kawalan ng di- senior high school na- sa ika-18 kaarawan. siplina sa sex ng mga man. Bago mag-debut, may kabataan. NAKABABAHALA nangyayari nang ayaw pi- Anomang reaksyon o Baby sa rekord, may kitan ng mga gwardiyang reklamo, maaaring ipa- 196,000 nabubuntis na magulang pero nalulusu- rating sa 09228403333 kabataang nasa edad tan karaniwan ng mga o i-email sa bantipor- 15 hanggang 19 na tug- wais na kabataan. da@ yahoo eon•