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• NVIRONMENT Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Sunday led simultaneous Eriver and ester° cleanups in 42 harm- gays in Metro Manila as part of the effort to rehabilitate Manila Bay. Cimatu believes that to rehabilitate Manila Bay, it is imperative to stop pollu- tion at source. Some of the most polluted rivers and es- teros that drain out to Manila Bay have been identified ad targeted for the simultaneous river cleanup by the Department of Environ- ment and Natural Resources (DENR), which is taking the lead in the "Battle for Manila Bay," a P4.7-billion, seven-yearprogramto save Ma- nila Bay from environmental degradation. The chairmen of these 42 barangay in the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon and Navotas are also set to sign an agreement with the DENR. ELEMENTS of the Bureau of Fire Protection-NCR and the local community conduct a cleanup at Estero de San Dubbed Kasunduan (Filipino term for Lazar° along CM. Recto Avenue in Manila on Sunday, March 31. DERR PHOTO agreement), the memorandum of agreement ners and other national government agencies underscores thebarangays'commitinenttohelp solid-waste management, habitat restoration, supporting the rehabilitation of these creeks. improve water quality, proper management of climate and disaster resiliency. The rehabilitation of the Tullahan-Tinaje- solid wastes, including the promotion of waste Simultaneousdeanups of rivers, creeks, es- ros river system will positively affect efforts reduction, reuse and recycling, partnership in teros and other waterways were conducted by to clean up Manila Bay, Cimatu said. community mobilization, and in information alltheharangay covering the Tullahan-Tinaje- The Tullahan-Tinajeros River System spans andeducationcampaignsforwater quality and rosriversystem,indudingprivate-sectorpart-

The sirhultaneous cleanup of the creeks and tributaries in the Ttillahan-Tinajeros 27 kilometers, from La Mesa Water Reservoir in River System is a joint partnership of the - Fairview, Quezon City, all the way to the mouth DENRwithothernationalgovernmentagen of Manila Bayat CentennialParkinNavotasCity. cies such as the Department of the Interior It is one of the most pollutedwaterways in Metro and Local Government and with selected Manila and a major tributary of Manila Bay. cities and barangays, Department of Public San Miguel Corp. recently pledged assis- Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila tance for the dredging and cleanup of the Development Authority, the private sector, river. Other private-sector partners such as the schools and civil-society organizations. the North Luzon Expressway, Vartson and Cleanup activities were also held at the Es- Boysen Philippines have also pledged con- tero de Tripa de Gallina, Estero de Magdalena, tinuing support to the rehabilitation of the Maracina River/Manggahan Floodway, Pasig creeks and tributaries of the Tullahan River. River, Malabon-Navotas River, Las Pinas-Zapo- te River, San Juan River, Paranaque River and Taguig-Pteros River. Jonathan L. Mayuga

4:N.7 STITN FCGC gala 111111 CONIMUNICA I ION gANNER 50110!' Al CARTOON IN I] IA1 IVES STORY IMM1101.1.... SF/IVINF PAGE Wel 0 rn: zol9 NILE DATE DEMOLITION OF SLUMS PART OF MANILA BAY REHAB MARAWI EVACUEE MUST 'FLEE' AGAIN DUE TO METRO WATERWAY CLEANUP By Menet 0. Enano @JhessetEnanoINQ

When bombs began to rain on her Marawi City neighborhood in 2017, Subaida Mangutara was left with no choice but to flee. The 69-year-old woman found refuge in the company of her daughter Rakima, who for Years had lived at the border of Parahaque and Pasay cities, far Trom their native land. But while away from strife, Mangutara's new dwelling was far from ideal. Along with other displaced families, home was amid heaps of garbage and hu- man waste thrown into Estero Tripa de Gallina.

Facing demolition The entire family, however, would soon be uprooted again, SIMULTANEOUS CLEANUP Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, after the government marked Interior Secretary Eduardo Arlo and Metropolitan Manila their makeshift home as one of Development Authority Chair Danilo Lim oversee the clearing of the thousands that would be de- Estero de Magdalena in Tondo, Manila, on Sunday, part of the tnolished in the ongoing effort simultaneous cleanup of esteros linked to nine rivers that feed to clean up the waterways that into Manila Bay. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ flow into Manila Bay. Informal settlers living along riverbanks and on estuar- Paranaque River. low the law." ies in Metro Manila had long "We just hope that we would Joseph Vakunawa, 38, and been blamed for the pollutants be relocated to a better place, that end up in the bay. Mary Aileen Wong, 34, howev- not to another place of conflict," er, offered a somber tale for the Mangutara said. "If they will Urban blight thousands who would soon face just send us back to Mindanao, the government's whip against A ballooning urban popula- we don't want to go back there." tion, alongside the neglect of informal settler communities. environmental laws, has con- The couple used to live in a Cavite, Bulacan relocation sites house on stilts that stood on Es- tributed to the blight most evi- The relocation of informal dent in the poorest pockets of tero de Magdalena in Manila, settlers is part of the second where trash had accumulated so Metro Manila. phase of the ambitious bay re- While many informal set- much that the water was then habilitation program dubbed almost impossible to see. tlers like Mangutara embraced the "Battle for Manila Bay." the idea of a cleaner environ- Cimatu earlier said that local No jobs at relocation ment, anxiety continues to grip governments should be on top them. In February 2017, they were of relocating more than 230,000 among the hundreds of families On Sunday, Environment families along esteros, in coor- Secretary Roy Citnatu assured relocated to Pandi, Bulacan dination with the newly formed province. But the promise of a Rakima and other families liv- Department of Human Settle- ing along Tripa de Gallina that new beginning was still far off, ments and Urban Development with no jobs anywhere nearby. they would be transferred to a "Right now, we have around "So we return here because place with better living condi- u,000 units available for reloca- tions. this is where our livelihood is," tion in Cavite and Bulacan said Vakunawa, who sells cell provinces," Alto told reporters phone accessories on Clara M. Nine rivers on Sunday. "The receiving local Recto in Manila. Cimatu, along with Interior government units should also Secretary Eduardo Arlo and Standing on the ground be prepared." where their house once stood, Metropolitan Manila Develop- For Zenaida Bibat, 74, and the couple watched volunteer ment Authority Chair Danilo Tita Mora, 85, the demolitions workers scoop out plastics and Lim, traveled across the should be expected and accept- other junk from Magdalena, al- metropolis to oversee the si- ed by those living along the riv- ready black from mud and silt. multaneous cleanup drive in er. Even with a new roof over nine rivers that feed into Manila As longtime residents at the Bay. their heads, the couple would Paranaque side of Tripa de Gal- rather sleep on the streets on Among these are Tinajeros line, both women have seen days they have to make ends River, Tullahan Rivet, Pasig Riv- how the waterway has changed meet in Manila. er, Marikina River, Las Pifias- over decades of urban decay. "We would not return here if Zapate River, Taguig-Pateros "I know that a part of my we can actually live in our new River, Malabon-NaVotas River, house might be destrbyed once community," Wong said. "But San Juan River and Paratiaque they enforce the three-meter River. how can you stop people from easement," Bibat said. "But it's returning when there's nothing Tripe de Gallina flows into alright because we have to fol- to eat there?" INQ 1=1 CARTOON II UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL pEOPLES STORY STORY it \I A I eak Ili PAGE 7" 0 1 APR Z019

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Manila Water kicks off clean-up drive in Taguig creek EAST Zone concession- strengthen the compa- aire Manila Water led ny's commitment in help- volunteers from the ing the country restore Ayala Group as they its precious waterways. joined the 'Battle for "Manila Water's Toka the Rivers and Ester- Toka is our program that OS', a campaign spear- aims to clean and revive headed by the Depart- our waterways through ment of Environment these important four and Natural Resourc- ovvnable acts: solid waste es (DENR) that in- segregation, desludging volves the simulta- every 5-7 years, connect- neous clean-up activi- ing to sewer line and ties of creeks, esteros, educating the communi- Battle for Esteros. Battle of all. Photo shows Manila and tributaries that ty," he said. Water President and CEO Ferdinand Dela Cruz (left) all drain into Manila Manila Water Advoca- with MDC president Dante Abando. Bay. cy and Research Depart- More than 590 em- ment Head Fernando "As a pioneering en- 2012, the program con- ployees from the Ayala Busuego m said the 12- vironmental protection tinues to foster and conglomerate have vol- month clean-up activity advocate, one of our strengthen partnerships unteered to clean is part of Manila Water's loka' or share IS to con- with various national Hagonoy creek in Tagu- Toka Toka campaign, sistently engage in clean- government agencies, ig City, one of the many which promotes environ- up activities and educate local government units, waterways that the mental protection and people on how they can (LGUs), and the private DENR targets to revive seeks to revive the contribute in protecting sector to further advance under the campaign health of rivers and wa- the environment, the movement. which aims to involve ter bodies by reducing Busuego added. "This is Ayala subsidiary communities and em- pollution. Toka Toka is the reason we launched Makati Development power them to protect the first and only used our Toka Toka advocaby Corporation also de- their own waterways. water movement in the program. We encourage ployed a loader and According to Manila Philippines that encour- communities to put in three excavators that fa- Water President and ages individuals and com- their respective stakes cilitated in the collection CEO Ferdinand Dela munities to do their for cleaner and healthier and disposal of waste Cruz, the Ayala Group's share in environmental surroundings." collected during the participation hopes to protection. Since its inception in clean-up.

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Cleanup drive sa Metro Manila: 1.2M kilo ng basura nakolekta Daan-daang volunteer mula sa iba't ibang sektor ang nagsama-sama sa isinagawang cleanup drive sa mga ilog at estero sa Metro Manila kung saan tina- tayang 1.2 milyong kilo ng basura ang nakuha sa nakalipas na tatlong linggo. Ito ang inanunsyo in Interior Secretary Eduardo Arlo, kasunod nang pagpaaalala sa mga lokal na opi- syal na magsagawa ng weekly cleanup sa Icanilang lugar bilang bahagi ng rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay. Gilt ng opisyal, mahaharap sa parusa dahil sa kapabayaan ang mga Ito kung hindi susunod sa tungkulin. Bukod kayMo, pinangunahan din in Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu ang paglilinis sa Estero de Mag- dalena sa Tondo, Maynila at sinabing nakita nito ang maraming problema nang puntahan ang mga estero. Dito iginiit ng opisyal ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad sa Ecological Waste Management Act.

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources IRROR 0 1 APR 2019 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE - SALAMIN NO KATOTOHANAN - DATE

'BATTLE OF ESTEROS PAPA SA CLEAN UP DRIVE SABAY-SABAY na nagsagawa ng clean-up River kung saan katuwang din ang mga tauhan drive ang mga barangay officials sa Metro ng barangay sa mga nabanggit na lugar pan Manila sa pangunguna ng Department maging matagumpay ang proyelcto. of Environment and Natural Resources Nalcita ni Cimatu ang grabeng sitwasyon (DENR) na tinawag na Battle of Esteros bi- ng mga naturang il02 kung kayat panahon na lang patuloy na bahagi ng Manila Bay Re- aniyang simulan ang paglilinis dito dahilan sa habilitation Program. ang tubig ng mga naturang mga ilog ay may Mismong sina Environment Secretary Roy konelcsyon sa daluyan ng tubig patungong Ma- Cimatu at Interior Secretary Eduardo Alto ang nila Bay. . nanguna sa ginanap na clean-up drive sa baha- Todo asikaso rim s'na DENA Undersecre- gi ng Estero de Tripa de Gallina sa Pasay City. tary Benny Antiporda at DILG Undersecretary Kabilang sa •mga Lugar na tinutulcan ng Epimaco Densing III 4 paglilinis ng mga este- mga opisyal pan linisin ang lugar ay ang ro sa lugar na pawang maasang sa pamamagi- Tullahan, Tinajeros River, Marilcina River, tan ng naturang hak ang, maitatanim na sa Manggahan Floodway, Pasig River, Malabon- mga isipan ng bawat isa na matigil na ang pag- Navotas River, Las Pinas-Zapote River, San tatapon ng mga basura sa mga esterth kanal sa Juan River, Parafiaque River at Taguig-Pateros Metro Manila. BENEDICT ABAYGAR, JR.

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ESTERO DE MAGDALENA SEE THE ESTERO DE MAGDALENA DIFFERENCE - AFTER A photo mural BEFORE of garbage- clogged Estero de Magdalena in Tondo, Manila, contrasts with its present state after government efforts to clean up waterways that drain Into Manila Bay. Several agencies have teamed up for the massive clean-up drive. (Ali Vicoy) STRATEGIC er P1-1111-11PPIN E BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION UPPER rASH E STORY STORY akwarffigOISIEN INITIATIVES P GE LOWER 1111ESIMM. SERVICE Yin rum SMALL PREVAIL. 0 1 APR 2019 DATE TITLE : PAGE I/

A government worker uses a backhoe to remove gar- bage from the Estero de Trips de Gallina in Pasay City yesterday as part of a simultaneous cleanup, led by Envi- ronment Secretary Roy Cimatu, of waterways that lead to Manila Bay. Inset shows the result of yesterday's cleanup of Estero de Magdalena in Tondo, Manila. EDID GWADAR I= I UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON Malaga STORY STORY PAGE TOWER

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Clean-up. Volunteers join the clean-up of the Hagonoy creek in Tagulg City as Manila Water and the Ayala group, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. launch the Rattle for the Rivers and Estero% a metro-wide clean- up activity that Is part of Manila Water's IONA-TOPA program in support the DENFEs effort to prevent Manila Bay from further degradation. PHOTO BY ROILY SALVADOR

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JOINT EFFORT. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu and Interior Secretary Eduardo Aho spearhead the simultaneous cleanup of Metro Manila's esteros and waterways flowing Into Manila Bay, Norman Cruz

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- TV • Battle is joined Over 250 volunteers from different barangays along with other government employees join the battle to reviite rivers and esteros in San Juan as part of the overatl drive to revive Manila Bay. YUMMIE DINGDING STRATEGIC Adante LII UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE OPIATE 114AfiiLIS SA RAL f TA IN.- 0 1 APR 2019 DATE TITLE : PAG

Magyan ng, steaktbiaang eiterpng ito sa Maynila kasabay njelsinagawanelimulta—RFOUs clean:up:nlingak!larriratero sa iba't ibint bahagi ng Metro PAanilai(PfitiickAdolin) s‘ STRATEGIC Li UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON g COMMUNICATION t STORY STORY INITIATIVES asamsoINIVIII AGE Wi trniMar bante DERSE"nr SERVICE UNA SA SALITA Ezoig TITLE: PAGE I / 0 1 APi

CLEAN-UP DRIVE — Nagsagawa ng clean-up drive sa Tripa de Galina at nagtulong-tulong ang mga vo- lunteer pan halcutin ang sandamalcmak na basura sa mga ester° na nagiging sanhi ng pagbara na dinada- luyan ng log sa boundary ng Pasay City at Parariaque City kahapon. (Eric Ocapan) BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY PAGE

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Ginagamitan ng back/we ang esterong Ito sa Pasdy City upang Inas hight na malinis• ang daluyan ng tu- big nit buntabagsak sa Manila Bay biking bahagi ng hangarin ng DENR at ng mga lokal nix pantahalaan sa Metro Manila nix nakapaligid sa naturang look no muting maibalik ang dating linis at ganda nito. (Kuha ni Edd Gumban) STRATEGIC I I LJLJ UPPER PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION ce STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER 011Mle IMMRMar SERVICE reirrestreerraremerrewiterrentretsmed 0 1 Atz 0 g TIRE AGE 1/

Si hangaring tuluyang maging martnis ang tubig ng Manila Bay, puspusan ang paglilinis na isinagawa kahapon ng mga tauhan ng DENR at lolcal na pamahalaan ng Maynila sa Estero de Magdalena sa Tondo. (Kuha ni Edd Gumban)

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PINANGUNAHAN nina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Sec Roy Cima- tu at Local Government Sec. Eduardo Alio ang paglilinis sa mga estero sa Metro Manila na dumadaloysa Manila Bay. Kuha ni NORMAN ARAGA I I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY

ipartment of Environment and Natural Resources

IATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE

Gov't urged to ban single-use plastics gle-use plastic packaging with alternative product By Cory Martinez delivery systems, like refill and reuse, with a clear plan THE EcoWaste Coalition has called on the govern- and timeline. ment to ban single-use plastics to ease global plastic "As for our citizens, we urge them to minimize, if pollution crisis. not stop, the reckless use and disposal of single-use The call was made coinciding with the observance plastics, and to adopt consumption choices and habits of the Earth How aimed at protecting the environment that will lessen the generation of plastic garbage. We from single-use plastics. ask every waste genera tar to manage their discards The group's national coordinator Aileen Lucero responsibly to prevent plastics and other wastes from stressed that the government has to get a ban on single- entering the marine env"F nment," she added. use plastics in place this year as.the country's contribu- - The group also took e opportunity to stress the tion to the global drive to protect the oceans from importance of effectivel enforcing the key environ- further plasticization. mental laws such as RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste "To halt the chemical and plastic contamination of Management Act), RA 9275 (Clean Water Act) and RA our water bodies, particularly the oceans, the govern- 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear ment has to adopt sweeping policy changes that will Wastes Control Act) to prevent chemicals and plastics address the problem at source, incentiviza single-use from spilling into the oceans. plastic reduction and disincentivize single-use plastic These pollution prevention laws, the group stressed, production," Lucero said. were enacted to protect i the environment, including She added that National Ban on Plastic and Plastic marine waters, from dui-Aping and other environmen- Products Act will be required to phase out single-use tally- damaging acts. disposable plastics and usher in sustainable resource According to the UN ieport "Marine Plastic Debris use. and Microplastics," 80 percent of all pollution in the "A National Action Plan will be needed to move sea comes from land, including some eight million our society away from our addiction to throw-away tons of plastic waste each year, that hada cost the lives plastics," Lucero pointed out. of one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals. She also urged the.manufacturers of fast-moving Moreover, if causes $8 b lion in damage annually to consumer goods to fast track the replacement of sin- marine ecosystems."

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INITIATIVES PAGE i LOWER SERVICE MANILAPBULLETIN %assOilir THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 0 1 APR 7019 DATE DUE PAGE 1/

We are helping find

solutions to plastic problem

HE problem with plastics is that most of are now being produced by Green Antz Builders it is non-biodegradable. Unlike natural for housing. San Miguel Corporation is now build- materials like wood, paper, cloth, and ing roads out of recycled plastics. If the technology Tleather, it doesn't break down into com- proves effective and meets all safety and quality ponent molecules after a time. Some scientists requirements, th6 company said it may roll it out say it may take 450 years - some say never - to for large infrastructure products. break down the plastics we have in the world Last week, researchers of the biology depart- today. ment of the University of the Philippines Baguio Since plastic was invented in the late 19th cen- were reported to have discovered four strains of tury and production took off in the 1950s, 9.2 million bacteria capable of biodegrading Low-Density Poly- tons of plastics have gone into production and 6.9 ethylene (LDPE) which is used to produce plastic billion tons have become waste that grows by mil- bags, bottles, and wrappers. The bacterial strains lions of tons every year. Between 5.3 million and 14 had been collected from rock crevices in the Non million tons a year are dumped mostly on coastal Ba to spring in Botplan, Zambales. The researchers regions, thence into the sea It stays there year after called for continuing research into other polymer- year, a lot of it ending in the stomachs of sea animals degrading microorganisms. who then die from internal injuries. Similar researches and studies are now being One study has identified the Philippines as the conducted in other countries on this worldwide No. 3 source of plastic wastes in the world's oceans, problem of plastic wastes. The Philippines may have next to China and Indonesia. We are among the gai tried some notoriety as the No. 3 source of plastic world's top users of such plastic products as food poLlution in the world's oceans today, but it is good wrappers, bags, sachets for medicine, bottles, stir- to know that we are making our contribution to the rers and straws for drinks. se arch for solutions -through innovative ways to In the worldwide search for solutions to the plas- Tee ycle plastic waste into useful articles such as tic problem, however, the Philippines has come up chairs and road paving materials. with its own contributions. A factory in Las Pifias The research at UP Baguio may also lead to today recycles "soft plastics" such as food wrap- ways to make plastics biodegradable like all other pers into chairs which the Villar Social Institute for materials in our world today, so it will one day it will Poverty Alleviation is donating to public schools. cease be a problem and a danger especially to life Eco-bricks, building blocks made from used plastic, in the world's oceans.

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EDITORIAL

We are helping fin solutions to plastic problem

HE problem withplastics is that most of it is non-biodegradable.'Unlike natural ma- Tterials like wood, paper, cloth, and leather, it doesn't break d Wn into component Molecules after a time. Some scientists say it may take 450 years — thine say never — to break down the plastics we have in the world today. Since plastic was invented in the late 19th century and production ook off in the 1950s, 9.2 million tons of plastics have gone into production and 6.9 billi n tons have become waste that grows by millions of tons every year. Between 5.3 millio and 14 million tons a year are dumped mostly on coastal regions, thence into the se.. It stays there year after year, a lot of it ending in the stomachs of sea animals who t en die from internal injuries. One study has identified the Philippines as the No. 3 source of •lastic wastes in the world's oceans, next to China and Indonesia. We are among the world's top users of such plastic products as food wrappers, bags, sachets for medicine bottles, stirrers and straws for drinks. - In the worldwide search for solutions to the plastic problem ho ever, the Philippines has come up with its own contributions. A factory in La 9 Pifias today r cycles "soft plastics" such as food wrappers into chairs which the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation is donating to public schools. Eco-bricks, building blocks made from used •lastic, are now being produced by Green Ani2 Builders for housing. San Miguel Corporation is now building roads out of recycled plastics. If the technology proves effective and ;neet all safety and quality requirements, the company said it may roll it out for large infrastru ure products. Last week, researchers of the biology department of the Univer ity of the Philippines Baguio were reported to have discovered four strains of bacteria c pable of biodegrad- ing Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) which is used to produce plastic bags, bottles, and wrappers. The bacterial strains had been collected from rock crevites in the Poon Bato spring in Botolan, Zambales. The researchers called for continuing research into other polymer-degrading microorganisms. Similar researches and studies are now being conducted in other countries on this worldwide problem of plastic wastes. The Philippines may have gained some notoriety as the No. 3 source of plastic pollution in the world's oceans today, but it is good to know that we are making our contribution to the search for solutions — through innovative ways to recycle plastic waste into useful articles such as chairs and road paving materials. The research at UP Baguio may also lead to ways to make plastics biodegradable like all other materials in our world today, so it will one day it will cease be a problem and a danger especially to life in the world's oceans.

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources i APu 7019 ITRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE AWG 1.4.45,...451_NANG P Y:17 AGAI GG IA DA 45A DATE

EDITORIAL Turnutulong tayong humanap ng solusyon sa problema sa plastic

NG problem sa plastic ay pagiging non-biodegradable ni to. Hindi tulad ngibang ma teryales AHad ng kahoy, papal, tela, at katad, hindi nabubulok sa paglipas ng panahon. Sinasabi ng ilang siyentista na maaaring abutin rig 450 years —ilan ang nagsabing hindi kailanman — abubulok ang mga plastic na mayroon tayo ngayon sa mundo. Dahil naimbento ang plastic noong huling bahagi ng ika-19 na siglo at nagSimula ang produksiyon noong banclang 1950, nasa 9.2 bilyong tonelada na ng plastic ang nalikha at 6.9 bilyon ang nagiging basuraña patuloyna lurnalago sa milyon tonelada kada taon. Nasa pagitan ng 5.3 milyon at 14 milyon tonelada kada taon ang itinatambak kalirnitan sa mga baybaying bahagi, na napupunta sa mga dagat. Nananatili ito doon taon man ang makalipasm, at karamilmn ay napupunta sa inga tiyan ng mga lamang-dagat na kalaunan ay namamatay dahil sa mga su gat sa bob ng katawan. 'sang pag-aaral ang kumilala sa Pilipinas bilangikatlo sa pangunahing pinanggagalingan rig basurang plastic sa mga karagatan ng mundo, sunod sa China at Indonesia. Kabilang tayo sa nangungunang gu magam it sa buong mundo ng mga produktong plastic bilang pambalot ng • pagka in, bags, pa kete para sa medisina, bote, panghalo at inga straw ng mga inumin. Gayunman, sa pandaigdigang paghahanap ng solusyon para sa problema sa plastic, nakahanap ang PiIipinas ng saril i nitong kontribusyon. Isang pabrika sa Las Pinas ngayon ang nagre-recycle ng Inge 'soft plastics" tu lad ng mga pagbalot sa mga pagkain upang gawin upuan na ibiriibigay ng Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation sa mga pampublikong paaralan. Mga eco-bricks naman na gawa sa gamit na plastic, ang nililikha ngayon ng Green Antz Builders para pabahay. Nagtatayo rin ngayon ang San Miguel Corporation ng mga daan at kalsada na gawa sa mga ni- recycled na plastic. Kung mapatunayan na epektibo ang teknolohiya at makamitnito ang I i gtas at kaLidad na kina kailangan, sinabi ng kompanya na maaari nila itong garnitin para sa malaking produktong pang-imprastraktura. Nitong nakaraang linggo, napaulat na nakadiskubre ang mga mananaliksik sa biology department ng University of the Philippines Baguio ng apat na strains ng bacteria na kayang bulukin o i-biodegrade ang Low-Density Polythylene (LDPE) na ginagamit sa paglikha ng inga plastic bag, hotel 3' at raga pamba lot. Nakolekta ang bacterial strains mula sa mga siwang ng bato sa Poon Bo to spring sa Bo tol an, Zambales. Nanawagan ang mga mananaliksik ng patuloy na pag-aaral sa iba pang polymer-degrading microorganisms, Kahalintu lad na mga pananaliksik at pag-aaral ang isinasagawa ngayon sa iba pang mga bansa kaugnay ng ma taking problema ng mundo sa basurang plastic. Nakalulungkot man na ikatlo ang Filipinas sa pinaginumulan ng basurang plastic na ngayon ay natambak s6 mga karagatan ng mundo, nakatutuwang malaman na gumagawa tayo ng sarili nating kontribbsyon upang humanap ng solusyon — sa pamamagitan ng mga inobatibong paraan upang i-recycle ang plastic at gawin isang kapaki-pakinabang na bagay bilad ng mga upuan at materyales sa paggawa ng mga kalsada Maaari ring magbigay ng paraan ang naging pananaliksikng UP Baguio para sawing biodegradable ang mga plastic tuladngib.ang materyales sa mundo, upang isang araw mawawala na ang dala nitong problema at pangartib lab na sa mga buhay na nasa mga karagatan ng mundo. STRATEGIC P Hi LI] lb COMMUNICATION pill PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY eammra osalWiloWil Nil IATIVES STORY umwes0WORISIW SERVICE PAGE LOWER 0 1 APR 2019

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SHORT-TERM MEASURE ED SOUGHT FOR NWRB TRANSFORMATION By Ronne! W. Domingo Neda Undersecretary Ado- NWRB into the NWMC was a @RonWDomingoINQ radon Navarro said in a briefing measure the government could this was also part of the Duterte take pending the enactment of a The National Economic Develop- administration's strategy when proposed law for the creation of ment Authority is renewing the in comes to water resources. an "apex body" and the eco- push for Malacanang to issue an "The strategy is to pursue nomic regulatory agency for the executive order that will trans- institutional reforms such as water sector. form and strengthen the National streamlining processes in- "This measure may be im- Water Resources Board (NWRB) volved in agencies to encourage plem@nted without the need for into a National Water Manage- and guide investments in water legislative action that is via an ment Council (NWMC). supply, sewerage and sanita- executive order," she said. This is seen as a short-term tion," Navarro said. "The aim is to strengthen measure toward water security According to Neda and pri- the power of the NWRB and in the Philippines as the Neda vate-sector experts in the water providing it with additional and other agencies that pre- supply and sanitation ' sector, manpower and financial re- pared the Philippine Develop- there are at least 32 agencies sources," she added. ment Plan 2017-2022 Call OR that are involved in the man- The need for an BO to recon- Congress to create a Depart- agement and regulation of this figure the NWRB has been ment of Water and a Water Reg- industry. raised last year butto such or- ulatory Commission. Navarro said enhancing the der has been issued yet. INQ STRATEGIC , GEr I BANNER CARTOON EDITORIAL UPPER 1 j COMMUNICATION 'STORY STORY OA INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER ailliMW 1111111a SERVICE Standard 01 APR 2019 DATE NUE PAGE I/

Angat reduces irrigation water to boost Metro supply—NWRB

ANGAT Dam's water allocation for ir- down as farmers are about to harvest rigation has been cut to 35 meters per their crops. second from 40 to reserve more supply Angat Dam irrigates several farmlands for Metro Manila, the National Water Re- in Bulacan and Pampanga. sources Board said Sunday. David made his statement even as the NWRB executive director Sevillo Da- Sulong Dignidad party-list said the Phil- vid Jr. told dzBB the cut will not affect ippines' water colacession law must be re- farmland operations because in May the pealed so it could provide stiffer penalties

water needed for irrigation normally goes Next page

CONSERVING WATER. A farmer in Benguet uses a water hose to irrigate his seedlings, putting into practice a water conservation method in Tuba town, a vegetable:. growing area , amid the onset of El Nino weather phenomenon. Government oficials advise farmers in Benguet and other provinces to conserve water supply. Dave Leprozi:

to the companies that fail to com- ply with distribution agreements. "We need to add a provision im- posing clear-cut penalties for the• concessionaires who fail to comply with the concession agreement," said Sulong Dignidad president and first nominee Rico Paolo Quicho. In a resolution dated March 28, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System ordered its Reg- ulatory Office to study the imposi- tion of penalties on Manila Water Co. Inc. when it failed to provide water 24 hours a day to customers. David said they communicated with the National Irrigation Author- ity about the reduced allocation of water for irrigation, and it agreed. ' "They [NIA] said it would still meet their needs, David said. He said Angat Dam's water level was at 193 meters, which is nor- mal. But they were continuing to reserve more water to make sure there would be no water shortage in the next months. IA lOONTORIAL CARTOON i ANl S R elk PAGE VTIRERANTROgaileil Psmearlingiw Department of Environment and Natural Resources 0 1 AN mg iTRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE DATE

KARAGUAGANG TUBIG NAKUKUHA NC MANILA WATER MULA SA 13 DEEP WELLS TUTUTUKAN NC NWRB! SINIMULAN na ng Manila well, sinisikap ng Manila na Water na patakbuhin ang la- mapunan ang dagdag na pa- Angat Dam ay ginagEunit sa Sewerage System (MWSS) bing-tallong deepwells satal ngangailangan sa supply sa ang hindi na.tin maintindihang tang lugar sa nasasakupan pamamagitan ng Cardona Metro Manila at ng magsasa- nito. Nito lamang Marso 27, Water Treatment na ngayon ka para sa patubig sa 28,000 hanggang ngayon, ano nga ba ang totoong problema ng Ma- higit sa 15 na milyong Dim ng ay nagbibigayna ng 23 MW. hectares ng bukiran sa Bula- rdla Water (east water canoes- tubig kada araw (MW) na ang Nagsimula na ring makakuha can at Pampanga, 2% gina- sioner ng MWSS)? karagdagang supply na na- ng dagdag na tubig mula sa gamit sa flood control at 1% sa Wala narnan water short- kukuha mula sa mga deep- crossborderflowsng Maynilad ground water. age, kung titingnan natin ang wells at tinatayang mas ma- na ngayon ay umaabot sail Nagbigay ng pahayag pinalcahuling ulat ng Hydrolo- rami pang supply rig tubig MW. ang Monitoring and Enforce- gical Information ng Provin- flaring sa deepwells ang ma- Sa ngayon ay 97% ng ment Division, Engineer Gino cial Disaster Risk Reduction daragdag sa mga susunod na mga kostumer ng Manila Wa- Mangosing, "ang pagkuha ng and Management Council buwan. ter ang may tubig na sa boob tubig sapamamagitan ng mga (PDRRMC), nasa 194.77 Bago pa man patalcbuhin ng 8-12 ores na umaabot sa hinukay na deep wells ay ipi- meters ang label ng tubig sa ang bagong deepwells, higit unang palapag ng mga kaba- nagbabawal na sa buong sa 9 MLD na supply ang nang- hayan. Pahiloy pa ring isina- Angat Dam noong March 27, Metro Manila gayundin sa 2019 (8:00AM), kulang ng gagaring mula sa limang deep- sagawa ang mga operational ilang bahagi ng mga lalawi- wells sa Curayao, Rodri- adjustments at network solu- 17,23 meters base sa 212 gan ng Bulacan (Guiguin- normal high water level guez. lnaasahang aabot sa 30 tions tulad ng paglalagay ng to, Bocaue, Mania° at Mey- MLD ang supply na mang- line boosters at paglalatag ng (NHWL). Humigit pa sa Mini- cauayan) at Cavite (Ds- gagaling sa mga deepwell sa mga karagdagang rinya upang mum Operating Water Level marinas), samantalang kina- katapusan ng Marso ngayong mas maging tuloy-tuloy ang (MOWL) of 180 meters. taong ito. supply ng tubig sa mga mala- kailangan ng kaukulang per- Tuwing ika-15 at bago Sa kasalukuyan, aabot layo at matataas na lugar na miso mula sa NWRB para sa magta,00s ang buwan ng Abril sa 100-150 MLD ang Idnakai- sineserbisyuhan ng Manila tang bahagi ng bansa." at Mayo, ang NWRB ay mag- langang karagdagang supply Water. Pinayagan ng NWRB sasagawa ng inspection at ng Manila Water para sa mga Ayon kay Dr. Sevillo D. ang pansamantalang pagku- pagmonitor at sa mga strate- kostumer nito kumpara sa David Jr., Executive Director ha ng karagdagang tubig ng gic areas, water discharge, alokasyon na 1600 MU) na ng National Water Resources Manila Water mula sa 13 deep- wafer quality ng drinleng wa- pakukuha nito mula sa Angat Board (NWRB), 97% ng *raw wells upang maresolba ng ter nakukuha mula sa deep Dam. Bukod sa mga deep- water" na nagmumula sa Metropolitan Waterworks and wells. STRATEGIC Eli/Eli [Th I 1 l= MO PAGET EARNER EDIIONAl CARTOON COMMUNICATION to STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE 1 WEE SERVICE 1•111fie 0 I /kC t- 7019 rAGE DATE Disclose contingency plans to address water crisis, MWSS urged

As of March 28, water service Based on the Philippine At- availability has been restored The Metropolitan Water- mospheric Geophysical and As- works and Sewerage System to 98.1 percent in Manila Water tronomical Services (PAGA SATs concession areas in the east (MWSS) and other concerned computation, the water level in agencies will disclose to the zone. Angat Dam may reach its criti- Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny cal level by the end of April. The Pimentel said the House of public their contingency plans dam's water level is noW at 195 should Angat Dam in Bulacan Representatives should investi- meters, or 16.09 meters below its gate what he called "the lifeless breach its critical level in April. normal high level of 212 meters. Sen. Sherwin Catchall an, performance" of a 30-year-old According to PAGASA, the law that requires facilities for dam will turn critical once it turning rainwater into water who chairs the Senate economic breaches the 180-meter mark. affairs committee, yesterday supply in case of drought PAGASA hydrologist Danilo "We actually have a 1989 stat- said there have been formal rec- Flores said the Angat water level ommendations for cloud seed- ute that calls for the construction drops by an average of 41 centi- of rainwater harvesters in all meters daily. barangays. But it seems that the ing in Angat but there should be Laws execution of the law has been contingency plans should such wanting," he said, referring to a move be insufficient to fill up on concessionaires the Rainwater Collector and the dam, which supplies about The water shortage brought Springs Development Law or about by "mistakes of Manila Republic Act 6715. 90 percent of Metro Manila's Water" highlights the need for water requirements. laws governing concession- 'Expedite public "As early as now we should aires to be amended to pave the service act measure' assure the public that should way for stiffer penalties every Meanwhile, lawmakers have the water level in Angat Dam time they fail to comply with been urged to expedite the ap- reach critical level because of their mandate, lawyer Rico proval of the proposed amend- the El Nth°, the government is Paolo Quicho, first nominee ments to the 80-year-old Public prepared for that eventuality of party-list Sulong Digni- Service Act (PSA) during the and we already have contingery dad said. remaining two-week session of cies in place to ensure there will "We need to add a provision Congress next month to "break be adequate supply of water," imposing clear-cut penalties the barriers to investments and he said. for concessionaires who fail to competition in certain industry He reminded MW SS ad- comply with the concession 5eLtors thathamper the co ministrator Reynaldo Velasco agreement," Dignidad said. sustained, broader and higher tra- to submit the official list of The MWSS admitted in con- jectory Of economic expansion" waterworks projects in the pipe- gressional hearings that its Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, line between now and 2023, hands are tied when it comes to one of the principal authors of when the Kaliwa Dam project penalties that can be imposed House Bill 5828 approved by the is expected to be completed. The on concessionaires that fail to House in 2017, said the measure government is banking primar- comply with distribution agree- is pending in the Senate. ily on Kaliwa Darn to shore up ments, "The Senate has already ap- Metro Manila's water supply. "As it stands, the MWSS and proved on second reading its "What is the strategy of the its regulatory office don't know version of the measure. Tack- MWSS for the next five years? what penalties it can impose ling it would be the best use of We want to face our constitu- on erring concessionaires," he the two weeks of sessions next ents and be able to tell they can said, following the government May," Salceda said. be calm because these projects agency's admission it cannot HB 5828 seeks to redefine the are coming in," Gatchalian told impose penalties not stipulated concepts of public service" and Velasco during the recent Senate in the concession agreement. "public utilities" in the old PSA committee on public services "Having access to water is law that are often interchange- hearing on the Metro Manila a basic human right We need ably used by monopolies, duo- water shortage. to have safeguards in place polies and oligopolies to suit to make sure that the water their purpose. shortage experienced by many The legal redefinition of the around the metro will not hap- terms, Salceda said, is a first "vital step" to new economic re- pen again," Quidm added. While the Ayala-owned Ma- forms that will usher in healthy nila Water has not been handed competition in important indus- down a penalty yet, the compa- try sectors. ny imposed a one-time waiver Quoting a recent World Bank on minimum charges for all study, Salceda said the Philip- its affected customers in Metro - pine economy has remained Manila and Rizal. "highly concentrated compared to other countries in the region, which means less competition —and thus high prices, less jobs and value created." The World Bank study said letting more players enter these vital industries could improve services, generate higher-paying Jobs and, ultimately, hasten pov- erty reduction. -Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla

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China state firm eyed

for Pasig River rehab By Doris Dumlao-Abadilla ways—will be undertaken by that the President is ever sup- rons into a "showcase of a new @Philbizwatcher the CFHEC at no cost to the portive to the PRRC as mani- quality of urban life." Its over- PRRC, the statement said. fested by his issuance of Ad- arching goal is to boost river The Philippine government is Pursuant to the Build-Oper- ministrative Order No. 16 last water quality and make it vi- keen on tapping state-owned ate-Transfer Law under Repub- Feb. 19—giving particular roles able for fishery, secondary Chinese infrastructure contrac- lic Act No. 6957, as amended by for this Commission to per- recreation like boating or even tor China First Highway Engi- RA m8, the unsolicited proposal form in expediting the rehabili- transform it into a bulk water neering Co. Ltd. (CFHEC) to help of the CFHEC will still be subject tation and restoration of the supply source for manufactur- rehabilitate the Pasig River sys- to the appropriate review and coastal and marine ecosystem ing processes. tem, a very polluted watercourse approval of the Philippine gov- of the Manila Bay," Goitia said. The government last year that cuts through the metropolis ernment through the conduct of PRRC deems CFHEC to have said it was keen on privatizing and ends in Manila Bay. a competitive challenge and in the capacity and track record the operations of the Pasig Riv- CFHEC, in collaboration accordance to applicable laws for implementing engineering er ferry system, which is up for with local proponents, is also and regulations. and construction requirements rehabilitation. The upgrade of among the parties seen inter- The initiative is seen in line of public infrastructure pro- the ferry service would open ested to participate in a with President Duterte's direc- jects, including water treat- new stations along the river in prospective Manila Bay recla- tive to control the pollution of ment, roads, transportation the cities of Manila, Mandaluy- mation project. the Pasig River system and en- and commercial development, ong, Makati, Taguig, Pasig and The Pasig River Rehabilitation hance its development in order among other works. Marikina. Commission (PRRC) signed on to maximize its use for socioe- "Today marks another mo- The government is plan- March 22 a memorandum of un- conomic purposes. mentous event in the histories ning to build 29 stations servic- derstanding (MOU) with CFHEC The MOU, which outlines the of the PRRC and CFHEC, as ing 76,000 commuters a day or to undertake a feasibility study for potential benefits of the part- both signify to participate in 19.84 million a year, excluding the full rehabilitation of Pasig Riv- nership for the Pasig River, was joint undertaking for the cause passenger volumes for week- er, an official statement said. signed by PRRC executive direc- of attaining the requirements end schedules, tours or express The feasibility study—in- tor Jose Antonio Goitia and of the Pasig River Integrated routes. It also plans to put in cluding the requirements for CFHEC general manager Hou and Strategic Master Plan place 24 air-conditioned boats the treatment of industrial Jianchao together with other (Prism)," Goitia added. with a 50-seat capacity each as wastewater and sewerage be- PRRC and CFHEC officials. PRRC's mandate is to trans- well as a regular 15-minute in- fore draining to the water- "We can rightfully claim form Pasig River and its envi- terval for boats. [Ng 1- 1 [17-1 'AGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY

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'pertinent of Environment and Natural Resources 0 I APR 2019 IATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE DATE

PRRC AND CHINA FIRST HIGHWAY ENGINEERING CO. LTD., SET VISION FOR PASIG RIVER DEVELOPMENT ment, among other works. A feasibility study for the full rehabilitation of the Pasig RiVer System, including the require- ments for the treatment of industrial wastewater and sewerage before draining to' the water- ways, will be undertaken by the CFHEC - AT NO COST TO THE PRRC. Photo shows PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio Pursuant to Republic E. Goitia and CFHEC General Manager Hou lianchao, Act No. .6957, as together with PRRC Operations Director Anshari C., amended by R.A. No. Lomodag, Jr., and CFHEC's Business Managers Zhang 7728, the, unsolicited Hanzhou and Liu Mengchen during the MOU signing proposal of the CFHEC Consistent to the pro- PRRC as manifested by shall be subject to the nouncement of President his issuance of Adminis- appropriate review and ap- Rodrigo Roa Duterte and trative Order No. 16 last proval of the Philippine the mandate of the Pasig February 19, 2019- giv- Government through a River Rehabilitation Com- ing particular roles for conduct of a competitive mission (PRRC) to con- this Commission (PRRC) challenge, and in accor- trol the pollution of the to perform in expediting dance to applicable laws Pasig River system and the rehabilitation and res- and regulat ons. enhance its develop- toration of the coastal "Today Marks another ment in order to maxi- and marine ecosystem momentous event in the mize its utilization for of the Manila Bay," says histories of the PRRC and socioeconomic pur- Goitia. CFHEC, as both signify poses, the PRRC en- CFHEC, a state-owned to participate in joint un- tered into a partnership dertaking for the cause with the China First High- corporation from the People's Republic of of attaining the require- way Engineering Co., ments of the Pasig River Ltd. (CFHEC), through a China, has the capacity Integrated and Strategic Memorandum of Under- and track record for imple- Master plan (PRISM)," standing and Coopera- menting engineering and tion last March 22, at construction require- adds Goitia. the Novotel Manila, ments of public infra- With the Partnership in Cubao, Quezon City. structure projects, in- place, the bright future We can rightfully cluding water treatment, of the Pasig River devel- claim that the President roads, transportation, opment is beginning to is ever supportive to the and commercial develop- unfold. s,ItA11CC RU Abtinte UPPER AGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON LoR ini I INICATION STORY STORY IN 'hurl vas PAGE LO R tint vie!, MITE rint MAIIILIS 5.4 tri4l7r. 0 '1 APR 2019 DATE TITLE PAGE I/

PRRC AND CHINA FIRST HIGHWAY ENGINEERING CO., LTD., SET VISION FOR PASIG RIVER DEVELOPMENT

Consistent to the pronouncement of capacity and track record for implementing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the engineering and construction requirements mandate of the Pasig River Rehabilitation of public infrastructure projects, including Commission (PRRC) to control the pollution water treatment, roads, transportation, and of the Pasig River system and enhance commercial development, among other its development in order to maximize its works. utilization for socioeconomic purposes, A feasibility study for the full rehabilitation the PRRC entered into a partnership. with the China First Highway Engineering Co, of the Pasig River System, including the requirements for the treatment of industrial Ltd. (CFHEC), through a Memorandum of wastewater and sewerage before draining Understanding and Cooperation on March to the waterways, will be undertaken by the 22, 2019, at the Novotel Manila, Cubao, Quezon City. CFHEC — AT NO COST TO THE PARC. The MOU, which outlines the potential Pursuant to Republic Act No. 6957, as benefits of the partnership for the Pasig amended by R.A. Na 7728, the unsolicited River, was signed by PRRC Executive proposal of the CEHEC shall be subject Director Jose Antonio E. Goitla and to the appropriate review and approval CFHEC General Manager Hou Jianchao, of the Philippine Government through a together with PRRC Operations Director conduct of a competitive challenge, and Anshan C., Lomodag, Jr„ and CFHEC's in accordance to applicable laws and Business Managers Zhang Hanzhou and regulations. Llu Mengchen. "Today marks another momentous event We can rightfully claim that the President is in the histories of the PRRC and CFHEC, ever supportive to The PRRC as manifested by his issuance of Administrative Order as both signify to participate in joint No. 16 last February 19, 2019 — giving undertaking for the cause of attaining the particular roles for this Commission (PRRC) requirements of the Pasig River Integrated to perform in expediting the rehabilitation and Strategic Master plan (PRISM)," adds and restoration of the coastal and marine Goitia. ecosystem of the Manila Bay,"says Goifia. With the partnership in place, the bright CFHEC, a state-owned corporation from future of the Pasig . River development is the People's Republic of China, has the beginning to unfold. STRATEGIC SINCE 1900 UPPER PAGE BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION SPORT SPORT en). INITIATIVES MANILIMIIILLETIN PAGE LOWER SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 0 1 APR 2019 DATE PAGE I/

Global Global landmarks go... 11

voices to be heard." Acropolis in Athens, Shanghai Tower landmarks WWF-Australia CEO Dermot and the Kremlin building in Moscow. O'Gorman told AFP that "Earth hour WWF's own "Living Planet" re- go dark for still is the world's largest grassroots port in October said 60 percent of all movement for people to take action on animals with a backbone - fish, birds, climate change." amphibians, reptiles and mammals - Earth Hour "It's about individuals taking per- had been wiped out by human activity sonal action but joining with hundreds since 1970. NEW YORK (AFP) - New York's of millions of people around the world In Cali, Colombia, people lit candles Empire State Building, Egypt's pyra- to show that not only do we need ur- to form a "60 +" sign as part of the Earth mids, London's Big Ben and Rio's Christ gent action on climate change but we Hour events. the Redeemer statue were among the need to be protecting our planet," he Another study said a recent decline world's most renowned monuments added. in bugs that fly, crawl, burrow and plunged into darkness for an hour Sat- Dozens of companies around the skitter across still water - fueled by urday as part of a global campaign to world said they would take part in deforestation, urbanization and the rise raise awareness about climate change this year's campaign, which also saw of commercial farming -was part of an and its impact on the planet's vanishing Singapore's skyline go dark and Hong unfolding mass extinction event, only plant and animal life. Kong turn off the lights along Victoria the sixth in the last half-billion years. The 13th edition of Earth Hour, Harbour. Last year, Earth Hour was ob- organized by green group WWF, saw In New York, the riverfront United served in more than 7,000 towns and millions of people acrpss 180 countries Nations headquarters turned black, as cities in 187 countries, according to the turn off their lights at 8:30 p.m. to did the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and organizers. highlight energy use and the need for Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. While the lights-off event is a conservation. Other global landmarks that flicked symbolic gesture, Earth Hour has led The event comes after some of the the switch included Sydney's Opera successful campaigns over the past most dire warnings yet on the state of House, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de decade to ban plastics in the Galapagos Earth's natural habitat and species. Thomphe in Paris, Dubai's Bud Khania. Islands and plant 17 million trees in "We are the first generation to know - the world's tallest skyscraper - the Kazakhstan. we are destroying the world. And we could be the last that can do anything about it," WWF said. "We have the solutions. We just need our r6 STRATEGIC O El El ElPAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION ft STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER -.- SERVICE SISF 0 1 APR 2019 DATE TITLE PAGE I/

Cities go dark for Earth Hour, bring light to climate change NEW YORK (AP) — Cities around the Over 3,000 corporations in Hong Kong world marked Earth Hour on Saturday by signed up for Earth Hour 2019, according to turning off lights at 8:30 p.m. local tithe in a call the VVWF Hong Kong website. for global action on climate change. Iconic skyscrapers including the Bank of Earth Hour, spearheaded by the World Wide China Tower and the HSBC Building in Central, Fund for Nature, calls for greater awareness the city's major business district, switched off and more sparing use of resources, especially their lights in response to the global movement. fossil fuels that produce carbon gases and lead The City of Lights also turned off the Eiffel to global warming. Beginning in Sydney in Tower's nightly twinUe to mark Earth Hour. 2007, Earth Hour has spread to more than 180 Parts Mayor Anne Hidalgo dimmed the countries, with tens of millions of people join- lights Saturday ot the city's most famous ing in. monument for a4 hour. The Empire State Building participated as In Italy, publio buildings and historical clocks hit 8:30 p.m. on the US East Coast with a monuments in 40 cities participated in Earth dimming of the skyscrapers' lights. Hour. Lights wer$e also switched off at St. Pe- In Hong Kong, major buildings along ter's Basilica at the Vatican. Victoria Harbor turned off their non-essential Some of most emblematic architectural lights and the city's popular tourist attrac- treasures in Spain participated, including the tion known as the Symphony of Lights was Alhambra palace in Granada and Barcelona's canceled. La Sagrada Familia basilica.

Photos show the Eiffel Tower, illuminated in Paris and switched-off during Earth Hour organized by the green group WWF. AFT,

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CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS WORLD'S LANDMARKS PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS FOR EARTH HOUR NEW YORK—New York's Em- UN headquarters turned black, pire State Building, Egypt's as did the Brandenburg Gate in pyramids, London's Big Ben Berlin and St. Peter's Basilica and Rio's Christ the Redeemer in the Vatican. statue were plunged into dark- Other global landmarks that ness for an hour on Saturday flicked the switch included Syd- as part of Earth Hour. ney's Opera House, the Eiffel The 13th edition of Earth Tower and Arc de Triomphe in Hour, organized by green Paris, Dubai's Bun Ithalifa—the .group World Wildlife Fund world's tallest skyscraper—the (WWF), saw minions of people Acropolis in Athens, Shanghai across i8o countries turn off Tower and the Kretrilin build- their lights at 8:30 p.m. to ing in Moscow. highlight energy use and the WWF's own "Living Plan- need for conservation. et" report in October said 6o The event comes after percent of all animals with a some of the most dire warn- backbone—fish, birds, am- ings yet on the state of Earth's phibians, reptiles .and mam- natural habitat and species. mals—had been wiped out by human activity sinde 1970. People can do something In Cali, Colombia, people lit "We are the first genera- candles to form a "6o+" sign as tion to know we are destroying part of the Earth Hour events. the world. And we could be the Another study said a recent last that can do anything about decline in bugs that fly, crawl, it," WWF said. "We have the burrow and skitter across still solutions. We just need our water—fueled by deforesta- voices to be heard." tion, urbanization and the rise Dozens of companies of commercial farming—was around the world said they part of an unfolding mass ex- would take part in this year's tinction event, only the sixth campaign, which also saw Sin- in the last half-billion years. gapore's skyline go dark and Last year, Earth Hour was Hong Kong turn off the lights observed in morel than 7,000 along Victoria Harbour. towns and cities in 187 countries, In New York, the riverfront according to the organizers. --m-p EflJ =1 Um" PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY L rAet 4(1

!pertinent of Environment and Natural Resources 0 1 APR 2019 IATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE DATE

More PH establishments join Earth Hour -- Loren WITH more and more establishments and households against climate change in our own individual way," said turning their lights off every year, Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Legarda said the Philippines has shown capability of Change and UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience. taking steps to protect the planet in observing the Last year, 188 countries and territories participated annual Earth Hour. and more than 17,900 landmarks and monuments Earth Hour which started in Sydney, Australia, is around the world switched off their lights during Earth being held every March 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 Hour. p.m.encouragingtotumoff theirlightstoconserveenergy. "The Earth Hour proves that we can be protectors of "Every year, nations, communities, industries, and our planet It shows tha - small acts, when put together, individuals participate in the Earth Hour, switching off createbigchange. I hope thatwhatwecan gobeyondEarth non-essentiallights for anhour.Thisshows that we are all Hour arid imbibeenvirortment-friendly practices as away capable of taking action to protect the Earth and act of life," she added. Marlon Purification STRATEGIC UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY Ars ea INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER 1.1111.1...r.....s. SERVICE Standard 0 1 AN( Z019 TITLE PAGE V DATE

Environmentalism's danger iiWe need to return to a philosophy The ideal world of environmentalism is not 21st century Western civilization; of reason and ROM WHERE individualism, a STAND it is the Garden of Eden, a world with no human intervention in nature, a world philosophy that makes ERIC without innovation or chaume, a, world JURADO without effort, a world where surVival life on earth possible. il is somehow guaranteed, a world where EARTH Hour came and went. Media we have mystically merged with the were filled with headlines about the com- "environment." Had the environmental- is omitted. For environmentalism, the ing end of the world because of climate ist mentality prevailed in the eighteenth "natural" world is a world without us. We change. However, a graver danger faces and nineteenth centuries, we would have have no legitimate needs, but trees, riv- us. The danger is not from global warm- had no Industrial Revolution, a situation ers, and bacteria somehow do. ing, pollution, plastic, or the logging of that consistent environmentalists would They don't mean it? Heed the words rain forests, as environmentalists would cheer—at least those few who might of the consistent environmentalists. have us believe. The danger to us is have managed to survive without the life- "The ending of the human epoch on from environmentalism itself. saving benefits of modem science and Earth," writes philosopher Paul Tay- The fundamental goal of environ- technology. lor in Respect for Nature: A Theory of mentalism is not clean air and clean The expressed goal of environmental- Environmental Ethics, "would most water; rather, it is the demolition of ism is to prevent us from changing our likely be greeted with a hearty 'Good technological/industrial civilization. environment, from intruding on nature. riddance!" In a glowing review of Bill Environmentalism's goal is not the ad- That is why environmentalism is funda- McKibben's The End of Nature, biolo- vancement of human health, human mentally anti-human. Intrusion is neces- gist David M. Graber writes: "Human happiness, and human life; rather, it is a sary for human survival. Only by intru- happiness [is] not as important as a wild - subhuman world where "nature" is wor- sion can we avoid pestilence and famine. and healthy planet... Until such time as shipped like the temple of some primi- Only by intrusion can we control our Homo sapiens should decide to rejoin tive religion. lives and project long-range goals. In- nature, some of us can only hope for the Environmentalists have made' "de- trusion improves the environment, if by right virus to come along." Such is the velopment" an evil word. They in- "environment" one means our surround- naked essence of environmentalism: It hibit or prohibit the development of the external material conditions of mourns the death of one whale or tree offshore drilling, oil and gas, nuclear ings human life. Intrusion is a requirement of but actually welcomes the death of bil- power—and every other practical form human nature. But in the environmental- lions of people. A more malevolent, of energy. Housing, business, and jobs human-hating philosophy is unimagi- are sacrificed to endangered animals. ists' paean to "Nature," human nature nable. Medical research is sacrificed to the The guiding principle of environmen- "rights" of mice. Logging is sacrificed talism is self-sacrifice, the sacrifice of to the "rights" of trees. No instance of longer lives, healthier lives, more pros- the progress that brought us out of the perous lives, more enjoyable lives the cave is safe from the onslaught of those sacrifice of human lives. But we, as indi- "protecting" the environment from us, viduals are not born in servitude. We have whom they consider as rapists and de- a moral right to live our own lives for our spoilers by our very essence. own jakti. Vie,b;ive no duty to saerificp Nature, they insist, has "intrinsic it milkneedeoNthers and certainly not value," to be revered for its own sake, ir- to the "needs" of the nonhuman. respective of any benefit to us. As a con- To save us from environmentalism, sequence, we are to be prohibited from what's needed is not the appeasing, com- using nature for our own ends. Since na- promising approach of those who urge ture supposedly has value and goodness a "balance" between our needs and the in itself, any human action that changes "needs" of the environment. To save us the environment is necessarily immoral. requires the wholesale rejection of envi- Of course, environmentalists invoke the ronmentalism as hatred of science, tech- doctrine of intrinsic value not against nology, progress, and human life. To save wolves that eat sheep or beavers that us requires the return to a philosophy of gnaw trees; they invoke it only against reason and individunR-m, a rhi1osnr1,- us, only when we want something. that makes life on earth possible.

ericjurado@gmaiLcom

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Mgt' SM Mall nakiisa sa 'Earth hour' NAKLISA ang mga higanteng SM Mall sa Cavite sa selebrasyon ng pandaigdigang 'Earth hour' kung saan ang lahat ay nakiisa sa pag 'switch off' ng kani-kanilang mga ilaw sa mall, mula alas-8:30- 9:30 kaniakalawa nang gabi. Nagsimula ang annual event ng Earth Hour noong 2007 sa Sydney, Australia bilang pagbibigay halaga sa nature at environment ng ating planeta na unti- unti nang nasisira. Sama-samang nakiisa ang mga mall, business establishment, household, religious sector at iba pa, sa simbolikong pag-switch off ng mga ilaw na magpapaalala sa kalahagahan ng kalikasan sa buhay ng bawat tao sa mundo. Naging tema ng selebrasyon ngayong taon ang "diversity of life" na binibig- yang halaga ang mga buhay na bahagi ng lcalikasan na dapat natmg panga- lagaan at pahalagahan. (Rossel Calderon)

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Earth Hour, luyang dilaw at tubig-mumin pmalamig ngkuryentengrefrigirator. NATAPOS na ang taunartg pagsasa- sa kuryente at mahusay sa gawa ng Earth Hour kung saan ay Tipid pa buong katawan. nanawagan sa pagpapatay ng mga Hinuhugasan ng maligamgam na ilaw at ibang gamit de -kuryente sa tubig ang boob ng katawan na tinad- bob ng isang oras. Ngttnit maram- _ tad ng alat sebo sa maghapong pag- ing nagsabi na sa atinsangan, init kain. Naka tutulong ito sa metabolis- ng partahon, mahirap patayin ang rnong katawannartagbibigay sigla sa bentilador. maghapong paggawa. Lagi nating Ang sinabi naman daw ay 'yung pinaliliguanangkatawannatinnguinit raga hindi naman kailangang ilaw at angloob ngkatawanayhindinahuhu- kagamitang de-kuryente ang puwe- gasan ng maraming tubig. Nagpapa- deng patayinsaisang oras. May kom- sok pa nga ng kemilcal sa katawan putasyon ang pagpatay ngmaraming bangisinasagawaito,anglcrisis-trapik mula sa pagkain at mga bisyo. • ilaw sa boob ng isang oras kung ilan Ang luyang dilaw naman ay pu- ang nabawas lumano sa Mit ng mun- sa t dsa ay rnatindi! Panay ang buga do na likha ng alga fuel na nagpap- rig usok-polusyon ng libo-libong wedeng ipalit sa kape. Puwedertg sasalcyansa highwaynaito at saibang maligamgam o natural na pinalamig atakbo ng mga planta para sa kury- bago inumin. Mahusay ito sa -pam- ente. panig ng bansa. At maraming taortna Artgisytt, pagkaraan ng isang oras itong nangyayari. ambga at impeksyon. Sinasabi ring at kahit na kasalukuyang idirtadaos Ang tunay na Earth Hour ay ang patijaban sa kanser ang regular na pagtitigil sa paggamit ng fossil fuel at pag-inornng salabat na luyang dilaw. ang Earth Hour, gumagana pa tin arts Higitna mainamna purongsalabatna mga coal -fired power plant o yaong coal at palawakinna ang paggamit ng mga planting pinatatakbo ng mga - renewable source ng enerhiya tuladng - luyang dilaw lamang at walang kah- coal at fossil fuel na kapwa gating sa araw, hangin at tubig. Hindi pa ito along matamis na anurnan. Kailan- ilalimng lupa. Minirnina ang mga ito masama sa katawan at rnaililigtas pa g ng ating katawan ang may tatlong at nauubos. Parartg nabale-wala natin ang Inartg Kalikasan at mundo. littong tubig-inumin sa buong *** ghapon tag-init man o tag-ulan. %imam) ang pagsasagawa ng Earth M Taming sakit ang nagmurnula sa Hour.Tuloy-tuloy pa rin nga naman Napakainam naman talaga ang pag-inomngrnaligamgamnatubig at pag-inom ng maraming tubig. ang paglalabas ng usok ng mga plan- Sabi nga sa akin noon ng isang tang ito sa ating atmospera na path- salabat na luyang dilaw kilo na sa paggisirtg sa umaga. Maraming taon ba angduktor mahigit sampling iaon boy na nagpapainiing ating mundo naang nakalilipas,angisang mahusay (global warming) na nagdudulot ng na akong umiinom ng isang basong maligamgarrina tubigpagkagising sa na gamotna librenaman omura pa ay pabago-bagong klima (climate tubig. Maraming magandangidi- change). umaga. Hindi kami umiinom ng ani malamig na tubig. Kung rnainit na midulot na kabutihan ang pag-inom Sabi ng ilan, "at least" kahit papa- ng maraming maligamgam o hirtdi no daw ay may nabawas ng gamit ng mainit ng panahon, napakahusay ng kuryente. Ngunit ilan nga ba ang ak- malamigna tubig-inurninna galingsa mitlamig na tubig sa maghaport! twat na lumahok sa Earth Hour? Ha- banga o tap ayan. Natural ito at hirtdi (bangonkalikasanayahoo.coin) STILTITE1A amintoimiatyeva, COMM IPNtEAII TEM PAGE SERVICE . oxicignati 0 ; Arik zoig

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WITCH OFF Residents of Taytay, RIzal province, mark Earth Hour on Saturday night with battery-operated lamps arranged to indicate the number of minutes during which homes and businesse to keep their electric lights switched off, in support of the global campaign to ease the effects of climate change and other man-made threats to the environment—Rican* 'Lams STRATITGIC THE F01-111_11PF'INE. COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES golOMITIS PAGE LOWER SIOMMW sERvICE 41110101.1W 0 1 APR nig

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Activists of the World Wide Fund for Nature write 'Earth Hour with LED lights in front of the blacked-out Brandenburg Gate to mark Earth Hour in Berlin on Saturday. The global event is the symbolic switching off of lights for one hour to help minimize fossil fuel consump- tion as well as mitigate the effects of climate change. AP RI 644% STRATEGIC 00 I I Al I Met IMO 1;1 PAGE 1 BANNER E NORM CARTOON COMMUNICATION I—I STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER 1111.1.111.1... SERVICE MANILADBULLETIN NEMRMS-..••••• THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER 0 1 APR 2019 TITLE: PAGE If

CANDLE POWER - Candles are lit in a shopping mall in Consolacion, Cebu, as the lights go out during Earth Hour( Saturday. (Juan rico de Vela) STRATEGIC Or . IIrrilimillZatrzsa LIEI itm &Mt MOO PAGE 1 BANNER EDNORIA1 CARTOON COMMUNICATION 10 STORY STORY INITIATIVES MANILAPBULLETIN PAGE LOWER 111.11.111111.11M,aer SERVICE THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPER

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• EARTH HOUR DANCE - Students wearing neon-colored costumes that glow in the dark perform during the celebration of Earth Hour Sunday In SM Dasmarifias in Dasmariiias, Cavite. (Ali Vicoy) 7 E=I 11PE PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON c STORY STORY AGE OWER E li 'NM) A/001C14 Mt 01,1 0 jOUP COIIPOKATIO11 SOMMIr Department of Environment and Natural Resources IIIRROR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE - SALAPAIN NO MATOTOHANAN

KANDILA lang ang ginamit na ilaw ng mga kumakain na namamasyal sa isang park sa Crossing sa Mandaluyong City bilang pakikiisa sa Earth Hour noongSabado ng gabi. Kuha ni RUDY ESPERAS I I nj PAGE I BANNER ED110111A1. CARTOON WORT 510111 1_211 LOWER worvourawswomlo

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Department of EnvIi prurient and Natural Resat(' res Business 01 APR zol9 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE I IA II- Asean, EU empower youth leaders in conserving biodiversity

iW E have to empower the The ACB, through the Biodiversity to national biodiversityagendas,"Llm said. young ones and inculcate Conservation and Management of The kick-off workshop in Bang Pu love for biodiversity among Protected Areas in Asean Projectsupported Nature Education Centre, including a field them. They will be the stewards of the by the European Union and Office of trip to Khao Yal National Park,Thailand, set environment in thefuturelsa id Dr. Theresa Natural Resources and Environmental the foundation for the 2019 Cohort, and Mundita Lim,Asean Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Planning, is spearheading provided the young leaders with the.skills (ACB) executive director. the Asean Youth Biodiversity Programme and network to bring their conservation Twenty young and passionate advocates (AYBP) in collaboration with the Global impact to the next level. of biodiversity conservation from the Asean Youth Biodiversity Network Sontheast The workshop culminated with a ublic member-states were chosen to be part of Asia, the official youth constituency to Youth Forum and closing ceremo y on the inaugural 2019 Cohort of Asean Youth the Convention on Biological Diversity. March 30 at Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, Biodiversity Leaders (YBL). From March "Under the AYBP, the YBL program Bangkok, Thailand. 25 to 30, the young leaders convened in provides in-depth capacity building The YBL program will be conti Lied Bangkok,Thailand, where they were trained and mentorship to youth leaders in for the next two years rotating in sean on conservation policy frameworks and biodiversity in the region to strengthen member-countries. project management and communications youth-led implementation of National The 2019 YBLs are: Lin ii iaw skills, as well as build partnerships to Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, (Brunei Darussalam); Porchhay Tainq and strengthen their conservation efforts. and to mainstream youth considerations Channimol Ky (Cambodia); Riansyah Sigit

Kurniawan and Nadia Putri Rachma Persada (Indonesia); Daophainh 'oh Chanthavong and Fuevue Cherthal (Lao PDR); Kuhan Pillai Anbalakan, Mark Jun Liao, and Cheng Cheng Tan (Malaysia); Aung Than Oo and Shwe Vi Phoo (Myanmar); Mark Edison Reopta Raquino, Aubrey Jayne Padilla and Cirilo Aguadera Lagnason.h. (Philippines); Karl Jun Oiang Png, Nathaniel Ling Wei Soon and Kittikun Saksung (Thailand); and Thong Van Pham and Yen Thi Hai Le (Vietnam). As part of the AYBP, the search is on for the youth of Asean to be part of the first Youth Internship in Asean Heritage Parks. AHPs are the best protected areas in the Asean region with outstanding wilderness and biodiversity values. UPPER GE I BANNER EIMORIAL CARTOON SIORT SIORT I 1 I AGE LOWER

0 1 PR 2019 Department of Environment and Natural liesoinces BusinessMir STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SERVICE .11snaditaelaiielai)nosio)

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I Willi: One of 115 pawikan hatchlings from three sea turtle nests discovered in, of all places a coal-fired power plant, is seen on its way back to the sea. The release of the hatchlings (inset photo) was made by AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South Inc. The TSI has worked, since discovering the nests in December 2018, with various groups—including the team from the group's pawikan conservatory in Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag—to ensure that the nests inside TSI are well-protected and well-cared for. The sea turtle hatchlings released on March 29 emerged from an undiscovered third nest along the shore of the coal-fired power plant. PHOTOCOURTESY OFABOITIZ EQUITYVENTURESINC AllI I /r1L21 rsAi Go nE BANNER FDIIORIAL jAR1CAL A-0 $IC/RY FAGE LOWER

irr 01 APR nig Department, of EiivIi aliment and N31.111a1 Resold - Business r STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES SER editorial DAT Colonies and colonizers: It's complicated HIS past week, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico wrote to Spanish King Felipe VI and Pope Francis urging them to apologize Tfor the abuses of colonialism and conquest. "I have sent a letter to the king of Spain and another to the pope call- ing for a full account of the abuses and urging them to apologize to the indigenous peoples of Mexico] for the violations of what we now call their human rights." This is the response of the Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Sor- rell: "Spain is not going to offer such an extemporaneous apology, just like we are not going to ask the French Republic to apologize for what Napoleon's soldiers did when they invaded Spain. Or like the French are not going to ask the Italians to beg forgiveness for Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul." Both the letter and response were in Spanish. The relationship between colonizing nations and former colonies is "complicated." Most former colonies have much of their culture and heritage rooted in their colonial period. Family names in the Philip- pines came from Spanish "ancestors" while Filipinos speak English by way of the Americans. However, there is always that deep dark question of what the Phil- ippines might be today if a typhoon sunk Magellan's ships before he reached Mactan Island. Conceptualized in 2017, the BusINEssM0tRox's "Mission: PHL" is a corporate social responsibility project. It serves "to generate public un- derstanding and appreciation for nation and development aid partners that have helped the Philippine government in improving the lives and future of the Filipino people." To that end, on Thursday, we will give recognition—in partnership with government agencies—to embassies, consulates, economic and cultural offices, and aid agencies. Mission: PHL will give awards for individual categories as selected by various government agencies. These are Environment and Biodiver- sity Award (DENA), Science, Technology and Innovation Award (DOST), Agriculture and Fisheries Award (DA), Trade and Investments Award (DTI), Visit the Philippines Award (DOT), Infrastructure SupportAward (DPWH), Education Award (DepEd) and Transportation Infrastructure Support Award (DOTr). The "Embassy of the Year," "Aid Agency of the Year," and "Project of the Year" were selected by a panel that deliberated for over one year on nominations submittedby the foreign embassies. The members include Cristina Marie G. Aquino of the youth sector, Assistant Secretary Edu- ardo J. Malaya of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Qfficer in Charge Director Hazel Baliatan of the National Economic and Development Authority, coordinator Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III of the Action for Eco- nomic Reform Executive, Vice President of the European Chamber of Commerce Henry Schumacher, representing the private sector, Dean Jikyeong Kang of the Asian Institute of Management, representing academe, and columnist John Mangun for the Bu5iNtssMIRR0R. "Mission: PHL, Envoys & Expats Recognition Awards" would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Special Projects Di- rector Psyche Roxas-Mendoza, managing editor of our sister publica- tion, Philippines Graphic. The awards are not a beauty contest with winners and losers. It is the recognition of a productive partnership between countries that under- stand the importance of a genuine community of nations. STRATEGIC UPPER I PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY maegimga/Sa INITIATIVES PAGE ‘1111/110W SERVICE 0 1 APR 2019

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El Nino task force to prioritize water, food security By CZERIZA VALENCIA said over the weekend. areas of concern. -- The National Disaster Risk When the multi-agency Water and food security Reduction and Management task force was first convened will be top priorities in the Council (NDRRMC) recom- during the 2015-2016 El Nifio immediate responses of the mended to Malacanang on the only areas of concern act- El Nino Task Force (ENTF) March 20 the full reactiva- ed upon were food security, that is being reactivated, the tion of the ENTF to be led by energy security, health and National Economic and De- NEDA as well as the addition public safety. velopment Authority (NEDA) of water security among the Turn to Pagel

farmers. nating with Maynilad in the El Nifin From Page 1 The processing of docu- water-sharing scheme. ments for areas declared under Also part of the short-term A memorandum order perience drought This month, state of calamity due to El measures is the strengthen- from the Office of the Presi- the count can be as high as 51 Nino — including Rizal, Oc- ing of the National Water dent is awaited to implement with most of the affected areas cidental Mindoro, Zamboanga Resource Board (NWRB) by the recommendations of the situated in Luzon. City, Zamboanga Sibu gay, Co- converting it into the National NDRRMC. The Department of Agri- tabato, Maguiridanao and Ne- Water Management Council 1. Because of prevailing water culture reported the damage gros Occidental — is ongoing. (NWMC) which will be the supply issues, Socioeconomic to the agricultural sector has The Philippine Crop Insur- apex body for managing water Planning Secretary Ernesto reached P4.35 billion from ance Corp. has so far paid P43 resources. Pernia said it would be more 149,494 hectares affecting million of insurance to 3,534 This will address the frag- prudent at the moment to 138,859 farmers and fisherfolk affected fanners in provinces mentation- of regulation in the prioritize water security over nationwide. in Rocas, Central Luzon, Cala- water sector by harmonizing energy security. Affected regions are the barzon, Western Visayas and regulations. "As the popular saying Cordilleras, Ilocos, Cagayan Northern Mindanao. An executive order for the goes, it is more difficult not to Valley, Central Luzon, Cala- creation of the NVVMC is in have water than not to have barzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Damage control the works, according to Pernia. electricity," Pernia said in a Western Visayas, Eastern "There is a need for an briefing Friday. Visayas, Zamboanga pen- As water security is a top apex body that will oversee "We will put water security insula, Northern Mindanao, priority in the expanded the overall planning, pro- above all else as suggested Davao, Soccsksargen and RAIN (E-RAIN), key inter- gramming and policy formu- by Secretary Pernia," NEDA BARMM. ventions include the close lation based on sound data. Undersecretary for regional For rice alone, damage has monitoring of major dams We should also cite the gaps development Adoracion Na- reached P2.69 billion affecting and supply allocations along- in water services that remain varro said in the same briefing. 111,851 hectares and produc- side pressure management; despite the abundance of NDRRMC also recommend- tion volume of 125,589 metric deployment of water treat- the resource and programs ed a review of the Roadmap tons. ment facilities, tankers and and projects for the sector," for Addressing the Impacts For corn, damage has in- static tanks; increased wa- he said. of El Nino (RAIN) through a creased to P1.66 billion affect- ter extraction by Local Wa- The long-term solution is to series of technical meetings of ing 37,642 hectares of lands ter Utilities Administration push for the creation of the De- the ENTF. with volume loss at 107,416 (LVVUA) and private service partment of Water Resources "NEDA is ready to take a providers; reopening of deep that will ensure the sufficient lead role in mitigating the ef- The DA said it continues wells; and installation of allocation of water resources fects of El Nino. We will also to conduct field validation to rainwater collectors. across sectors, Pernia said. review and improve the RAIN assess the damage and losses, The National Irrigation Ad- Senatorial candidate Sami- to better suit the country's cur- and monitoring of standing ministration will also regulate ra Gutoc said the government rent conditions," Pernia said. crops in areas at risk. dam water releases and ration should take, full control and According to the official A total of P96 million in irrigation supply. protection of the farmers, par- update of the weather bureau, financial assistance from the The government will con- ticularly in IVIindanao, against this year's El Nino can be DA's Agricultural Credit Pol- tinue working with Manila the adverse impact of the pre- considered weaker compared icy Council has been allotted Water in pressure manage- vailing El Nino phenomenon. with the 2015-2016 phenom- under the Survival and Re- ment, deployment of mobile "What iS happening to enon. As of March 19, 16 prov- covery Assistance Program water treatment plants and Cebu, now placed under a inces were found to already ex- that will benefit 3,835 affected water tankers, and coordi- state of calamity because of the STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINE IA / I UPPER P GE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE ER ‘11111.111111.111W SERVICE *me

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thought, should not happen (Manghlcut), which 'crossed to Mindanao and other parts the Philippines in September of the country for that matter. last year, to have coribibuted The government should take to economic losses, Worsened proactive steps to protect our food insecurity and malnutri- farmers," Gutoc said. tion. Gutoc, who hails from war- The World Meteorologi- ravaged Marawi City, said cal Organization (WM0)'s Mindanao currently accounts State of Climate report said for 15 percent of the country's Ompong was associated with gross domestic product and losses in crops and fisheries 40 percent of agricultural that put the Philippine popu- production. lation's food security at risk. The Philippine Atmospher- "Disruption to egricul- ic, Geophysical and Astro- tural production affected the nomical Services Administra- country's food supply for the tion (PAGASA) earlier Warned following months, while the of drier and warmer condi- loss of livelihood for farm- tions in the country this month ers and fisherfolk thriving the due to El Nino. September—October harvest The weather bureau said worsened the food insecurity 51 provinces or 61 percent and malnutrition," the report of the country may experi- said. ence drought while 32 other UN Secretary-General Ari- provinces can be under t6nio Guterres said WMO's the dry spell by the end of latest report on global tem- April. peratures, extreme weather The Provincial Disaster and climate change indicators Risk Reduction and Man- and socio-economic impacts agement Office of Cebu has is "yet another strong wake- placed the entire province un- up call" on the need for more der a state of calamity due to ambitious climate action. the effect of El Nino on crops. ,According to the report, Ana Liza Solis, chief of exposure of the agricultural PAGASA's Climate Impact sector to climate extremes is Monitoring and Prediction threatening to reverse gains Section, said the country is made in ending hunger and likely to experience a pro- malnutrition. longed dry season this year. "New evidence shows a PAGASA officially declared continuing Se in world hun- the onset of the dry season on ger after a prolonged decline," March 22. it said. On the other hand, the Unit- — With Louise Maureen ed Nations weather agency Simeon, Helen Flores, Pia identified Typhoon Ompong Lee- Brago ST HAI EGIC COM IllnrCATION ea INI I IATIVES •••••• SPRVICE

'It's like standing on hell' 39 degrees Celsius heat in Occidental Mindoro takes deadly toll on farms, potable water supply

By Marker Gine° Festin said municipal gov- @maricarcincoINQ ernment officials had started distributing fuel for pumps to Household taps in Occidental be used to extract water from Mindoro have run dry as in- deep wells. tense heat continued to ravage farms and water sources in the But even the river Long wait province prompting an agricul- has already dried Some farmers, he said, had ture official to raise fear that the started looking for jobs in con- worst was yet to come, and a up, as in nothing struction sites to earn a living mayor to liken the heat to after losing their crops to the standing on top of hell. flows anymore heat. "We don't have a water ,Tony Gerundio, regional di- source, like dams, so the only rector of the Department of source, even of potable water, is Hemel Calingasan Agriculture, said 3,000 farmers the river," said Rome! Calin- Agriculture Officer had been recommended for a gasan, agriculture officer of San cash-for-work program of the Jose town. Department of Social Welfare "But even the river has al- and Development. ready dried up, as in nothing ha farm had dried up "beyond "Even spring wells are dry," flows anymore," he said. recovery." San Jose agriculturist Calin- Residents of San Jose have "I'm just hoping we could gasan said. "If there's water, it) formed groups, or "clusters" to still harvest at least some of the lasts for up to only two weeks," install manual water pumps and remaining vegetables," she said. he added. share their State of calamity has been Others collect drinking wa- declared in San Jose and Rizal as Residents, he said, dug wells ter from towns which contin- the dry spell was projected to as deep as io meters but nothing ued to have water. linger for at least two months. much came out of these. To conserve whatever water Irony Next to hell was left, Calingasan said farm- Calingasan said all that's left The Disaster Risk Reduc- ers' groups implement "flash- of Busuanga River, which used tion and Management Council ing," or rationing. to supply water to households (DRRMC) of Mimaropa (Min- "It takes about five to seven and farms, was its rocky bed. doro, Marinduque, Romblon days before your farm gets your It was ironically the same and Palawan) region said more turn again for water," he said. river, which lies between San than 6,000 farmers lost income The problem,. Calingasan Jose and the town of Rim!, that and %coo ha of farms were said, was that crops at this time had swelled in 2018 during a drying up. storm and flooded many com- "It's really hot now," said munities. San Jose Mayor Romulo Festin. Farmer Amalie Manahan, 37, "It's like we're standing right said crops on r hectare of her 3- above hell," he added. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION At, UPP PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY akunnisSIS INITIATIVES STORY RIERMS."11W SERVICE PAGE LOWER ear 0 1 APR 2019

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ALL THAT'S LEFT A drone shot of Busuanga River in Occidental Mindoro shows water receding since the start of drought in February. —PHOTO FROM SAN JOSE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

were at their reproductive stage, which required a huge amount of water to survive. "So assuming they survive this season, the yield will still not be that much," he said. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysibal and Astronomical Services Administration, in re- cent meetings with the local government of San Jose, said the average heat index in the town alone had reached 39 de- grees Celsius, or at least 7 de- grees more than the town's nor- mal average heat index of 32 C during summer months. In comparison, a person with high fever normally clocks a body temperature of 38 C.

Record heat Calingasan said this sur- passed the highest recorded heat index of 36.2 C in San Jose in 2016, also an El Nino year. He said there was no longer enough pressure to pump water through shallow tube wells to household taps. "There are just a few of drops of water coming out of our faucets," Calingasan said. "When you open two faucets at the same time, nothing comes out anymore," he added. In Occidental Mindoro, the cost of damaged crops has so far reached P36.8 million. The regional DERMC estimat- ed P59.8 million worth of agricul- tural losses in Mimaropa iNg

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"An amount of P18.3 million was released for cloud-seeding operations go REOs [regional field offices] and Philippines Air Force," Farmers, fisherfolk bear the report jided. The National Economicand Development Authority (Neda) expects this year's Mild El Niflo to have no significant impact on GDP as well as 114.35-B loss from El Nitio inflation, and thus cost the government less on interventions. In a briefing last Friday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto ILIPINO farmers and fisher- "I think by definition, M. Pernia told reporters the impact on GDP will be minimal, considering folk have nowincurredlosses this is a weaker El that the agriculture sector only accounts for abou 8 to 9 percent of GDP Nino phenomenon. of P4.35 billion—from the growth.ThO farm sector is expected to bear the brunt of El Nifidaripact F The spending for the initial P150 million—with an es- this year. Initially, Neda AssistantSecretary for Policy and PlanningCarloa event will be lower timated production volume loss of BernardoOtbadSantossaidtheestimateisthatthoweatherphenOffienon than during 2015 and 233,066 metric tons (MT) due to will cut about 0.2 percentage points off of GDP growth. But this estimate 2016. [As for] the impact the El Nino climate phenomenon, has been factored in on the latest growth target'adjustments made by on GDP, we will have to the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).. according to the Department of do some more pencil "I think by definition, this is a weaker El Nino phenomenon. The Agriculture (DA). pushing to come up spending for the event will be lower than during 2015 and 2016. [As The latest report released by the with better guesstimates...Agriculture only DA-Disaster Risk and Reduction for] the impact on GDP, we will have to do some more pencil pushing accounts for 8 to 9 percent of gross value to come up with better guesstimates...Agriculture only accounts for 8 Management Operations Center added of GDP."—Pernia to 9 percent of gross value added of GDrPernia said. (DRRM-OpCen) showed the hot- The Roadmap for Addressing the Impacts of El Nino (RAIN)will cost ter weather from what has been as it accounted for 31 percent of less than the P19 billion spent on intervention's when the last El Nino described as a "weak El Nino" has hit the country in 2015 and 2016, according tb Neda Undersecretary the total damage reported. damaged 149,494 hectares of farms for Regidnal Development Adoracion M. Navarro. and affected 138,859 farmers and Interventions Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas fishermen. THE report also indicated P95.875 The rice sector accounted for million worth of financial assis- 61.84 percent of the total report- tance has been allotted by the Ag- ed damage as it incurred losses ricultural Credit and Policy Council amounting to P2.69 billion, the DA (ACPC) under its Survival and Re- reported. covery Assistance Program. About About 108,845 farmers planting 3,835 El Nifio-affected farmers are rice on 11,851 hectares in 37 prov- expected to benefit from the said inces, with an estimated total out- amount. put of 125,590 MT, were affected "The processing of documents by the El Nino. for areas declared under State of Damage to the corn sector has Calamity due to El Nino [Rizal, Oc- climbed to P1.66 billion with re- cidental Mindoro, Zamboanga City, portedvolumeproductionlosses of Zamboanga Sibugay, Cotabato, 107,417 MT in 37,643 hectares of guindanao, Negros Occidental] are farms. About 30,014 corn farmers ongoing," the report read. were affected by the unfavorable Furthermore, the Philippine weather condition. Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has The report indicated that the already paid P43.083 million in in- weak El Nino has already affected demnities to 3,534 affected farm- 14 regions, with the Cordillera Ad- ers in Regions 1, 3, 4A, 6 and 10. ministrative Region (CAR) suffer- "131. Milo," A2 ing the highest production losses, SEE

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Department of Environment and Natural Resources 01 APR 2019 3TRATEGIC COMMUNICAllON 1NMATIVES SERVICE DA AND Nik.iiciyaNasc P APASALIA %Cs TAC.At OG SA BA L. SA Dagdag Balita 1

`Pinas, kumikilos sa climate change Nanawagansi Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. ng agarang aksiyon para maresolba pagresolba sa mga isyu sa karna (climate issues) sa United Nations High- Level.Meeting on Climate and Sustainable Developrhent for All na idinaos sa General Assembly ng United Nations sa New York, kamakalawa. "If climate action does not measure up to what is needed, we all face the same fate of diminished existence or extinction altogether," ani Locsin. Binigyang-diin ni Locsin na nagsasagawa ng mga epektibong programa ang Pilipinas upang malampasan ang climate Change. at kailangan din itongaksiyon ng major carbon- emitting countries. "If the most capable and able will not do more to slow and halt climate change, most will eventually stop talking about it and let climate change run itsfull and fatal course.7 aniya. Bella Gamotea

165.111 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION 3/ PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY hi rinTivEs PAGE RVICE Wei ton rue wine-Elaily-Trilna ree.connt 0 1 APR 2019

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of the Philippines to deserving tillers of the soil, as Icing as they possess the qualifications prescribed by that 66 law. But once granted, the grantee, Laws like Farmer X, for instance, cannot are prospective dispose of the land within five years from issuance of the free patent. in nature. Also, any disposition after said five years up to 25 years shall be subject to approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ANTEROOM or DENR. (Section 118, CA 141) Any disposition, enctirnbnance or transfer Eduardo Martinez within those periods in violation of the law is considered invalid. In COMMENTARY addition, corporations, associations or partnerships are generally proscribed Farmer X continuously cultivates the from acquiring these free patents save land he has been occupying for a number under circumstances mentioned by the of years. Sadly, he has no title to it. Under law. (Section 121, CA 141). Why you Commonwealth Act (CA) 141 (The Public may ask is there such a restriction? Land Act), he can, upon application, be Anyway the land was already awarded given % free patent by the government. A to the deserving farmer. Should he free patent is grant of land by the Republic Turn to page 11 Free land, free hand

From page 9 11231 came into effect. Known No need to seek the nod of the as the "Agricultural Free Patent DENR. Yes, that is now possible. not be given a free hand in doing Reform Act," its declared policy whatever he pleases to it? Well, the is "to remove the restrictions on i guess this move is in purpose of the law is to ensure that free patents to allow the efficient recognition of the fact that the applicant farmer does what utilization of these lands in order the Philippines has greatly he does best. That is to continue to contribute to wealth creation, Progressed. cultivating the land which is the entrepreneurship and economic Wait there's more. You may very purpose it was awarded to him development." (Section 2, RA think that the law will apply only to in the first place. In fact, assuming 11231). Thus, "agricultural public transactions after its effectivity. the grantee, for one reason or the lands alienated or disposed in favor After all, laws are prospective other, properly disposed of the of qualified public land applicants In nature. But RA 11231, by land, he can actually get it back ... shall not be subject to restrictions express provision, states that it within five years from conveyance. imposed under Sections 118, 119 rhas retroractive effect and any (Section 119, CA 141). This is to and 121 ... regarding acquisitions, restriction regarding acquisitions, protect the farmer and keep the encumbrances, conveyances, encumbrances, conveyances, land agricultural, in consonance transfers or dispositions. transfers or dispositions imposed with the award given to him. Agricultural free patent shall on agricultural free patents And mind you, these prohibitions now be considered as title in fee ssued under Commonwealth are strictly imposed. The DENR simple and shall not be subject to Act 141... before the effectivity religiously monitors this and any restriction on encumbrance of this Act shall be removed carefully assesses intended sales of or alienation." (Section 3, RA nd are hereby immediately parcels of agricultural land under 11231). In stark contrast to CA 141, l'ifted." (Section 4). This law free patent. If it does not pass RA 11231 completely does away cures whatever irregularities the mandate of the law, the office with all the stifling restrictions past transactions may have had thumbs down the transaction. discussed earlier above imposed and makes them good, valid and on the grantee. Farmer X can, binding. This law cures whatever right after the grant, actually enter I guess this move is in irregularities past into a commercial transaction recognition of the fact that transactions may have had with a corporation and enter into the Philippines has greatly and makes them good, valid a joint venture project with the progressed. Agricultural land and binding. latter for a purpose other than can be converted and devoted to But it seems that quite agricultural. Build a high-rise other uses that will make abetter recently, our framers of the law mixed-use condominium tower and even more robust economy. have recognized the move from maybe? Or he may simply sell the Yes, all for the betterment of agricultural to other purposes land to any interested buyer who the country; all for its greater land may be used for. Just last 22 will no longer continue to till the advancement. That is the way to February 2019, Republic Act (RA) land. No need to wait for five years. go. Way to go Philippines!'

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ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY HATE PLASTIC? JOIN MO RUN The country's only pro-environ- world. Yearly, oceans end up ment race will hold its biggest absorbing nine million tons of campaign yet as it joins the global plastic wastes that, according call to ban harmful plastic items to marine experts, take 450 during the loth Earth Day Run on years to disintegrate. April Mat Mall of Asia grounds. Previous race beneficiaries Presented by National Geo- include the Worldwide Fund for graphic, the race is expecting at Nature, Abuan watershed in Is- least 15,000 participants in the 21- abela, victims of SuperTyphoon kilometer, 30 km, 51cm, 3 km and 'Yolanda" and the Tawbuid 500-meter Doggie categories. Mangyan tribes in Mindoro. Even paper cups are banned Andrew Men of race orga- to avoid littering. Instead, orga- nizer RunRio said the Doggie nizers encourage runners to run, the final category that bring their own containers or starts 7 a.m., is limited to 300 the reusable water bottles in- slots and will allow humans to cluded in the race kits. bring puppies no younger than Studies show that Asia ac- four months. Vaccination counts for more plastic waste records must be presented. leakage than the rest of the -ROMINA S.AUSTRIA INQ