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PH, Southeast Asia need aggressive game plan to check wildlife trade

By Thesset 0. Enano The 109-page report, released successfully intercepted. In ad- the Philippines, where there @ffiessetEnanoINQ in full in February, analyzed dition, complex and ambiguous had been several seizures of thousands of successful seizures, systems to regulate commercial endangered animals and an- Southeast Asia needs to ramp revealing stunning numbers re- trade were also riddled with imal byproducts, among the up its game plan to tackle its lated to wildlife trafficking. loopholes, the group said. biggest of which is elephant immense wildlife trafficking "Not a day goes by without ivory. problem, according to a new Staggering numbers a wildlife seizure taking place The report also noted report that assessed the illegal From 2000 to 2019, for in- in Southeast Asia," said Kanitha frequent entry of Indone- trade in the region from the stance, an estimated 899,000 Krishnasamy, Traffic Southeast sian wildlife for a thriving turn of the century. pangolins were trafficked glob- Asia director, in a statement. pet trade, as well as wildlife Published by international ally, while over 96,000 kilograms "Seizures are certainly com- laundering operations for in- wildlife group Traffic, the report of their scales were seized in mendable, but what must be ternational trade. highlighted the need for gov- Malaysia, Singapore and Viet- eradicated are the many basic To address the illicit trade ernments to address loopholes nam from 2017 to 2019. This rep- enabling factors that drive and in the region, Traffic said South- in policies and enforcement, es- resents 94 percent of the total fuel illegal trade," she added. east Asian governments and its pecially since inadequate laws, volume of scales confiscated in partners should work together poor conviction rates and poor the region during this period. Pervasive corruption to harmonize national laws, regulation of markets allow The report also revealed Inadequacies in national leg- increase penalties and identify such transboundary crimes to that over zoo tons of African islation, low rates of prosecution and shut down open markets persist in the region. elephant ivory, icio,000 pig- and pervasive corruption remain that sell protected wildlife and With io countries function- nosed turtles and over 49,000 as enabling factors for the trade. their products, among others. ing as source, consumer and songbirds were seized in the re- Poor regulation of legal wildlife For the Philippines, the re- transhipment points for wild- gion in the past 19 years. trade also contributed to the port recommended the com- life from within the region and Despite the staggering num- problem, while illicit online mar- mitment of more resources the rest of the world, Traffic bers, Traffic said these data only ketplaces, such as those in social and efforts into investigating said Southeast Asia encapsu- showed a small fraction of the media, likewise mushroomed in the trade and trafficking, par- lates the full range of global true scale of the wildlife trade, the past decade, the report said. ticularly through enhanced challenges in biodiversity man- since seizures represent only Such realities were reflect- vigilance at the entry and exit agement and wildlife trade. trafficking incidents that were ed in Traffic's assessment of points in the country. INQ

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PAGE I/ 1 DATE ASEAN HERITAGE PARKS Gene pool of PHEs rare, endemic species

BY JONATHAN L. MAYUGA yeonimayuga NE of the world's megadiverse countries, with a high rate of 0 endemism, the Philippines is also a biological hot spot because of rapid rate of biological loss.

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The enormous threats to the forts of Asean member-countries. country's environment and nat- There are a total of 41 AHPs, ural resources range from natu- five of which were designated as ral phenomena, like a volcanic United Nations Educational, Sci- eruption, forest fires and climate entific and Cultural Organization change-triggered events, like (Unesco) World Heritage Sites. severe drought, sea-level rise, salt-water intrusion, flooding Ongoing program and landslide. ENVIRONMENT Assistant Sec- Among the threats also include retary Ricardo L. Calderon, also destructive human activities, like the concurrent director of Depart- massive land conversion for real- ment of Environment and Natural estate development; commercial Resources-Biodiversity Manage- logging; mining; quarrying to ment Bureau (BM B), said the des- unsustainable agricultural prac- ignation of Al-IPs is an ongoing tices; specifically slash-and-burn program of the DENA and the ACB. farming, charcoal making, timber He said the DENR-BMB is eye- poaching for construction, and ing more sites, including the Paso- dependence to wood for fuel to nanca Natural Park that straddles hunting for food and trophy, and Zamboanga del Sur and Zambo- harvesting of animal and plant anga del Norte, if it passes the wildlife for the highly lucrative criteria of the ACB. illegal wildlife trade. An AHP, he said, is a priority Efforts to conserve and protect conservation area. 'These areas the country's rich biodiversity, are usually old national parks with nevertheless, have gone a long way, high biodiversity, which needs through laws and policies, includ- special protection. These are the ing international commitments. areas with very high biodiversity Anchored on the strength of its value," Calderon said. protected area management, the "We are also looking for more Philippines has more than 240 pro- areas that will involve [the collabo- tected areas covering more than 5 ration of] two or three countries, million of the country's 30 million and we are looking at the Turtle hectares of land area. Islands Natural Park in Tawi-Tawi as a potential AHP," he added. Asean Heritage Parks Calderon said that once an area A MEMBER of the Association of is declared an AHP, it will initially Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), get a P4-million budget for the op- the Philippines boasts of having erationalization of the protected one of the most numbers of heri- area management. tage parks in Southeast Asia. Protected areas in the Philip- As of last year, it has a total pines undergo a strict manage- of nine Asean Heritage Parks ment regime with a Protected (AHPs)—all have unique features Area Management Board in- and importance, with their pro- volving various stakeholders tection having more imperative or collaborators as the highest to prevent biodiversity loss, and policy-making body. extinction of its critically endan- geredand endemic species of plant Gene pools and animal wildlife. NINE AHPs in the Philippines The AHP is a program being are getting their much-needed implemented by the Asean Centre attention. The country's AHPs for Biodiversity (ACB). are especially important as they They showcase the best of the help maintain the gene pool of its best ecotourism sites and repre- endemic species. They are: sent successful conservation ef- Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural STRATEGIC UPPER BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION ORA PAGE I STORY INITIATIVES PAGE ROWER IRRSIRmor SERVICE BusinessMirror -.••••• 41mrkaalwarlo IT El 03 02 20

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Park is home to the Philippine Island, including species and sub- Tamaraw, or the Mindoro dwarf species of the yellowish bulbul. buffalo, which is endemic only to Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanc- the island of Mindoro, meaning it tuary, home to the 20-foot-long could not be found anywhere else crocodile Lolong, the world's larg- in the world. est saltwater crocodile ever to be Mount Kitanglad Range Nat- caught alive, is also one of the most ural Park is where the world's big- ecologicallyimportant wetlands in gest flower species, scientifically the Philippines. Lolong died some known as Rafflesia schadenher- time after it was caught. giana, would be found, the same Mount Apo Natural Park is a with the critically endangered key biodiversity area and home to Philippine eagle. over 272 bird species, with around Mount Hamiguitan Range 111 species known to be endemic Wildlife Sanctuary is the habitat to the Philippines. The protected of a pygmy forest, Philippine eagle area is also home to the critically and alocallyendemic pitcherplant, endangered Philippine eagle. Nepenthes hamiguitanensis. Mount Malindang Range Coping with the challenge • Natural Park is home to rare and THE Philippines is coping with new records of Philippine mosses, the enormous challenge of main- and is a known natural habitat of taining its AHPs, including the endemic species of wild plants, provision of resources and dedi- such as dwarf bamboo and the cated staff to ensure that they are Benguet pine, and wild species of effectively managed, ACE Execu- birds, long-haired fruit bats, Phil- tive Director Theresa Mundita S. ippine deer and giant bushy-tailed Lim said. cloud rats. "AHPs, as with other protected Mount Makiling Forest Re- areas in the Philippines, need serve in Laguna is home to large resources and dedicated staff," flying foxes PteropusandAcerodon she said. species. The endemic Luzon pygmy ' In the past, Lim, who served fruit bat (Otopteropus cartilagono- as director of the DENR-BMB dus) may be present at higher el- for 15 years prior to her post at evations of the mountain. ACE, said limited resources for Tubbataha Reefs Natural biodiversity and protected areas Park, a Unesco World Heritage has compelled the Philippines to Site, is home to diverse species of prioritize the areas for govern- corals and is teeming with marine ment funding and come up with wildlife. innovative ways for sustainably Mounts Timpoong and financing the remaining ones. Hibok-Hibok Natural Monu- "One criteria previouslyused to ment, an important bird area, is prioritize the [protected areas] is home to two of the restricted- 'those considered globally [Unesco range species of the Mindanao heritage parks] and regionally im- and Eastern Visayas Endemic portant [AHPs]' so that is more or Bird Area recorded on Camiguin less how the AHPs are allocated 6.,Ak .,TRATEGIC 11/ UPPER BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION PAGE 1 STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER Se . .mser SERVICE BuskessMirr. or Al whi aria) h 03 02 TO

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resources," she said. the policy will benefit them, so ad- Today, she said it is a welcome vocacy campaigns and capacityde- development that protected areas velopment are needed," she added. are getting funds for the imple- mentation of various, protection Mainstreaming biodiversity and conservation programs. PROTECTED areas are under "I am pleased to hear that constant threats, but the more around P500 million [is provid- serious threat to managing them, ed] for the implementation of Lim said, is the lack of deeper the Enipas [Expanded National appreciation for the true value Integrated Protected Areas Sys- of the biodiversity, which the tern Act] and the effective man- AHPs are intending to secure agement of the Philippines's and protect through the "whole protected area system. With of government" and the "whole this, the AHPs should have their of society" apprnach. dedicated share from the alloca- "It is for this reason that the tion, she said. ACB is pushing for the main- streaming of bicidiversity in the Stakeholder participation region, in every aspect imagin- ACCORDING to Lim, one strength able," she stressed. lin the protected area manage- Other serious biodiversity ment in the Philippines is the threats, such as natural calami- broad stakeholder participation ties that require disaster mitiga- in developing policies, and hence, tion and risk reduction; disease decision-making at the site level. and pest control, naturalpollina- However, she said there is tion and propagation of commer- a need for more "buy-in" from cially important or potentially the local communities, indig- valuable plants and trees, she enous peoples, and industries said, needs integration in poli- working with and/ or around cies, plans, and actions of various the protected areas. sectors and institutions. "So that they, themselves, can "Once other sectors, such as initiate the protection measures business and finance, agriculture, for the protected areas, not because tourism, infrastructure, energy, the laws say so, but because they etc., as well as members of all know that a well-protected natural branches of government, and the ecosystem benefits them," she said. private sector recognize the im- This means that there is a need portance and the benefits that can to come up with ways for stake- be provided by AHPs, then other holders to actively participate threats may consequently be ad- when it comes to implementation dressed," she said. so that policies that are devel- Other threats, like overexploi- oped can be effectively enforced tation, indiscriminate land and on the ground. land-use conversion, and perverse "And not just because there are incentives, can, likewise, be ad- penalties if they violate the poli- dressed once mainstreaming of cies, but because they believe that biodiYersity is institutionalized.

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yemo na ipatupad ang pagbabawal sa mga plastic utensils. Sa ilang pribadong establishments tulad ng mga fast food restaurant ay ipinatutupad na rin Ito, ngunit hindi sa lahat. Depende ito kung may ordinansang nagbabawal sa plastic sa mga lungsod o bayan na ldnaroroonan ng restaurant. Naniniwala akona dapat na rin ipatupad nang puspusan ang pagbabawal sa mga restaurants, lab na yung mga fast food na karamihan sa mga kagamitan ay gawa sa plastic Single-use plastic na pangunahing dahilan ng pagbabara sa mga karagatan bawal na sa gobyerno at daluyan ng tubig. Ang hirap lang, unti-unti lang ang imple- mentasyon ng kautusan. HABANG laganap ang paggamit sa mga kasangkapang Kakailanganin dito ang act of Congress para bubuo ng plastic na minsanan lang nagagarnit, patuloy na nabibi- kaukulang batas laban sa paggamit ng plastic na minsanan ngit sa kapahamakan ang ating kapaligiran. Ito'y problema lang ginagamit. Diyan rnarahil kailangan ang political will di Jamang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo. ng ating Pangulong Duterte na sa maraming pagkakataon Kaya nilagdaan na ni Environment Secretary at National ay napatunayan na. Solid Waste Management Commission chairman Roy Maging sa mga plastic utensils ay mayroon pa ring hindi Cimatu ang isang resolution na nagbabawal sa paggamit maipagbawal dahil walang alternatibong maipapalit sa mga ng "single use plastic"sa lahat ng mga government offices Ito. Sa ngayon, walo lamang ang ipinagbawal gamitin at ipi- sa buong bansa. Ito ang Resolution 1363 series of 2020. naliwanag ni DENR Usec. Benny Antiporda kung bakit. Kabilang sa ipagbabawal ay mga plastic cups, straws, Ayon kay Antiporda, isinasaad sa Republic Act 9003 coffee stirrers, plastic spoons, forks, knives, plastic bags at section 29 na ang mga gamit na yari sa plastic nawala pang sando bags. lnaatasan ang lahat ng mga tanggapin ng gob- altematibong kapalit ay puwede pa ring magarhit. STRATEGIC Li UPPER PAGET BANNER EDITORIAL DAEMON COMMUNICATION STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE ROWER „wasismr SERVICE TOMWPM NEWS IN A FLASH I•10.00 03 02 20 TITLE PAGE 1 / DATE

engineered fuel (PEF)" from Australia, as clear indicators of Stricter moves vs illegal the need to overhaul the na- tional policy on the importation of foreign waste. waste importation urged "Banning waste imports will be for the greater interest of the Quezon City-based environ- "While our country has ratified developing countries like ours. nation," the EcoWaste Coalition mental group EcoWaste Coalition the Basel Convention in 1993, we We need a stronger defense said. has urged the government to im- still have not ratified the Basel against the entry of hazardous "Beyond banning waste im- mediately exert greater measures Ban Amendment that was adopt- wastes and other wastes, includ- ports, we support stricter moni- that will ban waste importation in ed in 1995 and entered into legal ing plastic waste, which could toring of imports to ensure that the Philippines. force in December 2019. By rati- be better managed in exporting no waste is brought in under The group stressed that such fying the said amendment, which countries," she added. false declarations," the group moves would "send a clear and is designed to fix the recycling Lucero pointed out the string added. unequivocal warning that the loophole in the treaty, we pro- of waste controversies "that The group noted that neigh- Philippines is no longer accepting tect our territory from becoming rightly angered our people jus- bouring countries like Indone- other countries' trash". a dumping ground for hazardous tifies a clear and unequivocal sia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet- A strong advocate for a zero- wastes and other wastes camou- policy warning waste traders and nam have taken various actions waste and toxics-free society, flaged as 'recyclables' that could traffickers that it's no longer 'gar- to stop the flow of hazardous EcoWaste Coalition called on no longer enter China and other bage business as usual' in the wastes and other wastes into the government to expeditiously countries," said Aileen Lucero, Philippines. their ports. ratify the Basel Ban Amendment, National Coordinator, EcoWaste She recalled the entry of so- "To effectively deter illegal an international law banning the Coalition. called "plastic scraps" from Cana- waste trade, we urge the ASEAN export of hazardous wastes from "Our current laws are not da, "plastic synthetic flakes" from to initiate a regional response ful- developed to developing coun- strong enough to shield us from South Korea, "assorted electronic ly banning waste imports in the tries, and to issue a national waste traders in search for cheap accessories" from Hong Kong, entire economic bloc," the group I waste importation ban. recycling and disposal options in and "municipal wastes/processed suggested. (Chito Chavez) STRATEGIC PHILIPPINE THE WRIER EDITORIAL CARTOON UPPER COMMUNICATION PAGE I SIOIY ell INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER wommelo• „moos SERVICE STA ftli/T111 uneime. intirvnit 03 02 20

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DENR seeks private firms' help in Manila Bay cleanup The Department of Environment and us in this enormous task magnifies the Natural Resources (DENR) has asked importance of shared responsibility. As more private firms to include in their we are all part of the problem, one way corporate sodal responsibility programs or another, we can all be part of the solu- the cleanup of Manila Bay. tion," he added. Saying the DENR cannot rehabilitate Cimatu expressed hope that the part- Manila Bay alone, Environment Secre- nership with SMC would inspire other tary Roy Cimatu highlighted the impor- private firms to help in the cleanup of tance of public-private partnerships in waterways. environmental initiatives. The river system, which starts from Last week, the agency launched the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, passes P1-billion Tullah an-Tinajeros River through the cities of Valenzuela and dredging project. Malabon and drains into the Manila Bay The project involves the cleanup of the at the Navotas Centennial Park. Tullahan-Tmajeros River from Barangay SMC president and chief executive Catmon in Malabon to Barangay Bagum- officer Ramon Ang said the company bayan South in Navotas City. would shoulder the expenses, including The DENR partnered with diversified manpower, to ensure that the project conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to would be completed on time. make the project possible. The project formalized SMC's par- Cimatu said the dredging project is ticipation in the adopt-a-river program a "perfect example of a collaboration of the DENR as part of the continuing between the government and the private mandamus of the Supreme Court to dean sector." up Manila Bay. "The commitment of SMC to help - Rhodina Villanueva SIIIA111;11• I I I - 1 1111 I. ry. eft,:f I nrimin. t CI IAI INICA11184 II /1'y '11(T1 IliT I - WIPPPOMPO"...." 1111 IA I I VI I: II wirn. • "pseq•011...W I 1 03 02 20

Moths gets high score in MBCRPP - THE City Government u of Navotas received a - _94.2 percent mark in the -2019 Assessment of =Compliance of Local -Government Units with Manila Bay Clean up, Rehabilitation and =Preservation Program -BVIBCRPP). _ _ Navotas was _among -the -top -five-Listis that -actively pursued-I:he Su- =preme Court mandamus -Which ordered govern- =ment agencies to -"clean Thp,-rehabilitate and pre= - serve Manila Bay' and restore its water quality -to make it fit for swim- Navot City Mayor Toby Tiangco poses with rep- rning and other contact __resentatIves of the Department of the Interior and -Vocal Government (DILG) upon receiving an award --recreation. Mayor Toby Tianoccas a top performer in rehabilitating Manila Bay and -urged -constituentsp-Sts tributaries' Photo by Edd Reyes =continue to help maln—cleabrrtgback their among others. -tam-cleanliness of war-water-rpialiV -to swim- _it also actively partici- :iodies_autriundinnile - " e=pates in- the Battle for= onesW-Manila Bay clean-u "Fisluntis-otff-Inaln Striva,collecting2,267,08t =force ofinarlihood polic of garbage since Jari-z -ThiaThraing-commurutanifluccesstihe-uary to December 2019. e-w -ttoukl_plitctisutrnostaskled -In addition, the city= Ampurtance_taireepin a-tents- continues its efforts to and-condition-ordinanees-en-aniai tier-- provide new homes to )1.-rtur seas-and-rivegs_propenewagendninforrnal settler families :resatd._"IATe_havezpati..._. turement-for-hving along coastlines -cies-and-programs- titutions-_and waterways. _ . Atecp_einasianclinvers -and- ostAdishnrents, EddRey4s _ sn% STRATEGIC THE PHILIPPINIL e UPPER BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION PAGE I DOPY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER 1•111•10a ....011111W aERVICF. soya rE't, t1 nHn Et In.. VAAL 03 02 20

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Residents of the Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila swim in Manila Bay yesterday to beat the summer heat. EDD GUMBAN ., SIPA ritii 6A urrrR 11(1t1NfR ED/TORIAt CARTOON Cr MIMI IOWA Ell IN rAGF I STORY 1 limili mlo. INITIAllvTA ,,,,mormir StIt VII T 0 3 02 20

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EASY SUNDAY A man on a wheelchair is carried for a refreshing splash in Manila Bay, which teemed with swimmers on Sunday. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

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Dahil Na rimiinit so panahon, nagmistulang piyesta so Manila Bay nang lumusong at mango Na in big ang mga residente ng Baseco Compound so Tondo, Maynila kalutpon. May ongoing clean-up na ginagawa ang pamahalaan upang ma-revive ang Manila Bay subalit hindi pa rin nagpaawat ang publiko so paglangoy so polluted no tubig. (Ruha ni Edd Gumban) 1

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DAr4GroIJ5WATEPS A salbabida vendor peddles his wares along Baseco beach in Tondo, Manila as families take a dip to beat the heat despite prohibition from authorities as the waters are highly contaminated with coliform. Norman Cruz

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PHOTOGRAPH BY BOB DUNGO JR. FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE Otribunephl_bob Benefit of doubt Hopefully, a dog owner walks his dog for exercise and not to turn the rehabilitated Baseco beach as a huge latrine. III

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Habang tumataas ang ternperatura, ginugol ng mga taong Ito wig kanilang oras so Baseco DUMAGSA SA UNANG ARAW NG MARSO. Kuha ni NORMAN ARAGA beach so Tondo, Manila upang magpalamig. 4.%4 STRATEGIC COINMUNICATION 'inn PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON STORY STORY INITIATIVES LIII PAGE TOWER SERVICE Cnt IMMIRRIMIr -.••••• PlilINIUMNIONOBIO IBANIYA/LAPP2 7 BEIM OM IA RUSS 0-3 02 9 n

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SUMMER NA? Dahil sa unti-unting pag-init ng panahon, marami na ang dumadayo sa Baseco beach para magbabad at magpalamig. JANSEN ROMERO .1. 16 DANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON 'VOLUM I NIL ATIIM STORY I IA' IIVIS 1110.11.110.11111. rcLERVIer NINIMOIMMir tjeinianita film —oar 3,200 hectares in GenSan falsely titled

BY JERRY N. ADLAW the indigenous tribe in GenSan considering there is a pending T LEAST four groups are claiming ownership case on cancellation and reversion of titles before the regional trial of a 3,200-hectare pasture area in Barangay court," Moendig-Zoilo said. ATambler in General Santos City. A group of lease holders was accused to have obtained fraudu- The claimants are the National before a regional trial court here to lent titles. Commission on Indigenous Peoples determine the true and real owners The group is facing a legal con- Region 12 (NCIP-12), the dty govern- of the huge land. flict with a group of investors who ment the six clans of an indigenous Meanwhile, the six clans have a bought almost half of the disputed tribe, alleged lease holders and the pending motion filed before the 3,200 hectares. alleged group that bought the land. NCIP-12 to declare the pasture Apparently worse was that the NCIP-12 Director lean Anne area as their ancestral land. investors were able to get titles. Moendig-Zoilo said the Depart- "The NCIP-12 cannot execute The city government, however, ment of Environment and Natural the Certificate of Ancestral Land is invoking Republic Act (RA) Resources (DENR-12) filed a case Title in favor of the six clans of 9649 or the Charter of the City of

General Santos, as amended by the city government of General unit)," he added. RA 5412, as the basis of its claim. Santos shall concur prior to any "Although I am the current city ".... all lands of the public do- disposition, administration, and mayor, I suggest that there must main having been ceded by the management of such public land", be an en banc committee hearing national government to the city Moendig-Zoilo said, citing the law. to determine the real owner of of General Santos shall exercise General Santos City Mayor the land and to solve the problem the rights and prerogatives over Ronnel Rivera said the city is the once and for all," Rivera said. such lands in the concept of a rightful owner. Former mayor Darlene Ricasa beneficial owner and the dispo- "We, as one of the lease holders Antonino-Custodio had filed sition of all lands of the public who hold land titles, are considered a case before the Office of the

domain within the city shall be as the priority applicant and claim- Solicitor General (OSG) seeking in accordance with the provisions ant. lam not in favor of RA 9649, as opinion as to who has the legal of Commonwealth Act Number amended by RA 5412, because it will rights to the questioned land. 141, as amended, and all other create a serious problem involving She also sought guidance from pertinent laws, executive issu- the various party claimants like the the OSG as to allegations that some ance, rules and regulations as investors, the indigenous tribes and DENR-12 personnel connived to pro- provided under the said act and the GenSan LGU (local government cess the issuance of fraudulent titles.

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ANTICOAL PROTEST Clean energy advocates picket a Meralco office in this January 2020 photo to protest the continued use of coal in its power supply contracts. —NINO JESUS OREIETA STOP FUNDING COAL PROJECTS, BANKS URGED By Carla P. Gomez draw From Coal Campaign. tinned suffering of coal-affected @carlagomezINQ Current initiatives contrib- communities," he stressed. uting to the country's social In a statement, Withdraw BACOLOD CITY—A Roman and economic development from Coal Campaign said the Catholic bishop, who has been while conserving the environ- country had 16 new coal-fired at the forefront of the cam- ment were tackled at the sum- power plants in the last decade. paign to save the environment, mit during the two-day summit Still, it added, the Philip- is urging local banks and finan- that ended on Feb. 28. pines was looking to add a total cial institutions to stop funding In his speech, Alminaza of 12,04 MW of new coal power, the expansion of coal opera- praised President Duterte's di- making it the ninth biggest coal tions in the country and instead rective to "fasttrack" the devel- expansionist in the world as of support the development of re- opment of renewable energy 2019. newable sources of energy. resources and reduce depen- The statement said 13 local "As fulfillment of their moral dency on coal during the State banks had been identified to have obligation, Philippine banks must of Nation Address in 2019. loaned or underwritten $6.303 have concrete plans to phase out But the bishop also pointed billion to coal interests from 2017 coal finance in the time required out that the continuing dom- to the third quarter of 2019. by today's climate crisis," said inance of coal in the country's Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the energy mix called for even Most vulnerable Diocese of San Carlos in Negros more ambitious ways forward Alminaza said that since the Occidental from different sectors, includ- Philippines was one of the most ing the finance industry. vulnerable nations to climate Clear policies In fact, he said, the Depart- change, the country must lead "They (banks) must have ment of Energy has 29 approved in phasing out coal while finan- clear policies restricting their coal plants in the pipeline, one cial institutions must take their exposure to coal, channeling of which is in San Carlos City, role in it seriously. the funds they divest from it the seat of his diocese. Launched in Manila in Jan- into clean and affordable re- The bishop has been leading uary and in Visayas in Febru- newable energy for all Filipi- a campaign against the planned ary, "Withdraw from Coal" is nos," said Alminaza. construction of the 3oo-mega- a campaign spearheaded by Alminaza said he made the watt (MW) coal plant by San the Church, civil society, and call during the 3rd Philippine Miguel Corp. Global Power people's organizations urging Environment Summit at the Holdings Corp. Philippine banks to divest from Grand Caprice Convention Cen- "Banks financing coal are not businesses involved in coal ter in Cagayan de Oro on Friday, only funding the climate crisis, power generation and coal ex- where he represented the With- they are also enabling the con- traction. 1140

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Phi environment summit launched Church leaders have called for an end to coal operations of businesses during the launching of the 3rd Philippine Envi- ronment Summit in Cagayan de Oro from Feb. 26 to 28. The summit was part of the "withdrawal from coal" cam- paign launched in Manila by the Catholic Bishops' Confer- ence of the Philippines recently, according to Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, Negros Occidental. The Catholic Church spearheaded the campaign together with civil society and non-government organizations in a bid to urge companies to divest from businesses involved in coal power generation and coal extraction. "As part of its moral obligation, the government should , phase out coal operations of businesses to avert climate crisis and support the development of renewable energy instead," Ahninaza, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to

save the environment from pollution, said. He said the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable na-

tions to climate change.

Bishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro also at- tended the summit. — Rhodina Villanueva

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TITLE PAGE 1/ DATE P1-IL govt urged: Take prompt steps to improve air quality. IR pollution is a silent killer in the Philippines, thus, the Agovernment must take urgent steps to address the problem before it gets worse, concerned groups urged.

Environmental, science and The groups also noted that the health groups last week raised the report only looks at PM2.5 pollu- alarm following recent reports on tion, and does not include other poor air quality in the country. pollutants, such as sulfur oxide, A global report launched last nitrous oxide, 'ozone and other week showed that air quality in contaminants that carry deleteri the Phil ippi nes contains PM2.5 ous health risks. HEAVY traffic In Metropolitan Manila NONCTIACIAMLE pollution levels that signifi- A report releasedby Greenpeace cantly exceed the safety limits Philippines earlier this month in areas with high concentration of Yu added. prescribed by the World Health showed that these and other tox- motorized vehicles. For his part, Bjarne Pedersen, Organization (WHO). ic emissions can cost Filipinos as 111Allocate more funds andman- executive director of Clean Air The groups—Greenpeace Phil- much as 1.9-percent GDP loss and power to the Department of Envi- Asia, said online reports of world ippines, Clean Air Asia, Center 27,000 premature deaths. ronment and Natural Resources to rankings of cities in terms of air for Energy, Ecology and Develop- The groups are calling for bet- increase its capacity in air-quality pollution provide with some im- ment (DEED), Health Care With- ter air pollution standards in the monitoring, including enabling portant insights into the state of out Harm, the Philippine Move- Philippines, including improved the department to install its own air quality in parts of Asia, which, ment for Climate Justice and monitoring, transparency and emissions-monitoring devices in in turn, helps raise awareness on the World Wide Fund for Nature analysis. existing coal-fired power plants the levels of air pollution. Philippines—also called on the In the case of the 2019 AirVi- and, in the meantime, adopt a "Heightened awareness can in- Philippine government to revamp sualreport, the quantity andplace- stringent process for validat- crease public concern about the and improve current air pollution ment of air monitors from which ing self-monitoring reports of impacts of air pollution and build monitoring systems in order to data were collected provide only emissions rates. momentum for continued mitiga- provide more reliable information a small snapshot of the threat of III Fully prepare and implement tion efforts. However, concrete on whether the air in the commu- PM2.5 air pollution. a National Plan on the Reduction actions require more than just nities is still safe. To be effective, the groups of GHG, as mandated by Section numbers. We all have a role to play The 2019 AirVisual report plac- say that the government should 31 of the Philippine Clean Air Act. in improving air quality, and col- es the Philippines in the 58th spot monitor places close to main Address the root cause of air laboration among all stakeholders out of 98 countries with locations sources of air pollution, such pollution in the country by imple- will be essential to achieve the from where air-quality data was as coal-fired power plants and menting a transition plan away transition we need. We have the collected. high traffic areas of motorized from the use-of coal energy awl technology, we have the knowl- The groups emphasized that vehicles. fossil fuels in the transport sector. edge and we have the solutions. while available AirVisual data Further, the groups have called Khev in Yu, campaigner of Clean air for all is achievable. But did not place the Philippines as for the following measures to ad- Greenpeace Philippines, said: "The we must act now," he said. among the countries with the dress the impacts of air pollution: Philippine government should see GerryArances, executive direc- worst air quality, it nevertheless President Duterte to declare the data as an impetus to overhaul tor of CEED, said the fact that the shows that the country still has airpollution as a nationalissue and air-quality monitoring systems in Philippines is not listed among very polluted air. to order all line agencies involved the country, as wellas to transition countries with most polluted air, Year-on-year data also shows in air-quality monitoring and away from highly polluting facili- and that some of its cities are that the country's air quality is regulation to prioritize this issue; ties, such as coal plants." deemed as having least dirty air getting worse. Average PM2.5 Enhance transparency, and He added that the country's among other urban centers in pollution levels in AirVisual sites expedite the review and update of safety standards for air pollution Southeast Asia "are in no way rea- increased from 14.6 micrograms the air pollution standards under haven't changed since 1999. sons to pat the backs of Philippine per cubic meter in 2018 to 17.6 Republic Act 8749, or the Clean "But what's worse is that there authorities, especially the DENR pg/m3 in 2019. Air Act of 1999. are still no efficient air-quality [that is] mandated to ensure clean The safety limit setby the WHO Issue a moratorium on all monitoring systems in place. air for Filipinos." is 10 pg/m3. Permits to Operate Air Pollutant This situation has allowed in- He explained: "Given that tens PM2.5 is the term for fine Installations, especially for pro- dustries and facilities to pollute of thousands of our people die ev- particulate matter that is less posed coal-f iled power plants until the air we breathe with impunity. eryyear due to polluted air. results than 2.5 micrometers in diam- theAmbient Air Quality Guideline The good news is that the solu- of the AirVisual report are instead eter. This pollutant can come Values, and Standards and Emis- tions to air pollution are also so- indicative of the absolute inad- from various sources, especially sion Standards are updated. lutions to the climate crisis, and equacy of air-quality monitoring combustion of fuels. Because of Makeair pollution monitoring addressing air quality now will inthe country, thelaximplementa- its sin all size, it can impair lung devices mandatory in all cities, gov- not just improve the livability don of standards, and the neglect function and is known to cause ernment offices and, particularly, of our cities and municipalities, in keeping policies up to date with respiratory illnesses, heart dis- in heavypollutingindustries/facili- but also move the country away health, climate and environmental ease and premature death. ties, such as coal power plants and from dependence on fossil fuels," imperatives."

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PART OF ITS REHABILITATION

MAJESTIC Mt. Arayat beckons to trekkers —TONETTE OREJAS MT. ARAYAT OFF-LIMITS AFTER HOLY WEEK By Toilette Orejas lihood center is turned over to @ttorejasINQ SMAMLI, said Salac, who also chairs the Protected Area Man- CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— agement Board in the province. The Mt. Arayat National Park will be off-limits to local and Single-use plastics foreign trekkers and bikers He said charcoal making, starting April 33 to give way to slash-and-bum farming and rehabilitation work, an official dump-making remain pro- of the Department of Environ- hibited in the trail under the ment and Natural Resources Expanded National Integrated (DENR) said on Sunday. Protected Area Systems Act of The area straddling the 2018 that strengthens the con- eighth to 24th station of the servation of 37 ecologically crit- cross on the side of Barangay ical areas, including Mt Arayat Ayala in Magalang town will be Single-use plastics are temporarily closed for 30 days, ' now banned on the 2,026-me- according to Laudemir Salac, ter tall inactive volcano. DENR officer in Pampanga. Salac said that once it's He said the 14th station up reopened in June, the DENR to the summit, both accessed would require visitors to sign via Magalang and Barangay a waiver spelling out their Lacquios in Arayat town, will agreement with policies pro- also be shut down for 45 days. tecting the environs of Mt. The DENR, Samahan ng Arayat. The DENR's Ecosys- mga Magsasalca sa Mataas na tem Research and Develop- Lupa ng Ayala Inc. (SMAMLI) ment Bureau is being asked to and volunteers will clean the determine the carrying capac- trail from the jump-off point ity of the mountain. to the summit, which spans Pampanga Rep. Aurelio more that 5o kilometers. Gonzales has a pending bill Tour guides will be trained converting the place into a pro- and accredited by the Depart- tected landscape. It became a ment of Tourism while a live- national park in 1533.1NQ

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ROAD-WIDENING PROJECT IN BACOLOR, PANIPANGA 'TRIM THEM, YOU KILL THEM; TREE SAVERS TELL OFFICIALS BACOLOR, PAM PANGA—The of Environment and Natural Re- Tepo, the Department of Public often subject to dust and smoke, Save the Trees Coalition has sources in Parhpanga in January. Works and Highways (DPWFI) these trees also serve as an im- asked local officials to suspend Zulueta is the plaintiff in the stopped the cutting at the re- portant filter that protects these the trimming of trees in a village complaint that obtained a tem- quest of Angeles City Mayor workers' lungs," Zulueta said. here otherwise the trees would porary environmental protection Carmelo Lazatin Jr. The village council said it die and serve the purpose of a order (Tepo) that saved 259 trees would issue a certificate of no planned road-widening project along the Friendship Circumfer- Shade objection to the road-widening "The trimmed trees have ential Road from Barangay Cali- The coalition argued com- project. been reduced to nothing but butbut in Bacolor town to three pany employees at the Angeles A check by the Inquirer their trunks, which will take a villages in Angeles City. Industrial Park benefit from showed that the Tepo covered longer time to grow back," Dina The Tepo, issued by the An- these trees. the Calibutbut trees since these Zulueta, a member of the coa- geles City Regional Trial Court The trees along these roads were mentioned in the Nov. 18, lition, said on Thursday's dia- Branch 59 on Feb. 7, prohibits serve as an important shade 2011 environmental compli- logue with local officials. the "cutting, harming, injuring, to protect [workers] from heat ance certificate issued by the The special permit to trim earth-balling, transferring and/or stroke and other heat-related Environmental Management or prune 25 trees was issued to any other action that will result [in] ailments that may plague them, Bureau to the DPWIT and sub- Barangay Calibutbut chair Anna the damage of the subject trees." particularly in the summer mitted to the court as evidence. Marie Labung by the Department Prior to the issuance of the months. And since the area is —TONETTE OREJAS INQ s 3ntamair ea UPPER l'AGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARMON , COMMUNICATION dull 5101U [ if INI rucrunis Moe PANE vairismar •Sum( , r•

DATE Mir : IANE

"Climate crisis' kagagawan ng 'banks financing coal' BILANG lcinatawan ng Kasabaynito,pinurina- Creation, we must unite 'Withdraw From Coal man ng Bishop si Pangu- with our scientists on this Campaign', umapela ang long Rodrigo Duterte sa and seek toveer away from lider ng Simbahang Ka- nagirtgdirektibanitosana- a fuel that causes the suf- toliko sa Philippine fi- karaangStateoftheNation feting of our people and nancial institutions na Address (SONA) nitong destruction of our Com- tigilan na ang pagbibig- 2019, na pagtuunan at mon Home," gilt ni Almi- ay ng pondo para sa pag- rnabilisnasubaybayanang naza. papalawak ng 'coal oper- pag-unlad ng 'renewable Kasabay rtito gumawa ations' sa bansaatsa halip energyresources'athuwag ng 'petition letter' sa Bank ay suportahan ang pag- dumepende sa ;carbon. of the Philippine Islands, unlad ng 'renewable en- Su gift& binabalewa- ang bartgko kung saan e'RY: • la umano ito ng ibat ibang karamihartag church orga- Ayort kay Bishop Ger- sektor,kabilangangfinance rtizationsaymay 'financial ardo Atininaza, ng Dio- industry at patuloy na Si- relations; na nilagdaan ng cesengSanCarlos,Negros nusuportahanatpinopon- daan-daang dumalo sa Occidental, sa ginanap na dohan ang karbon bilang nasabingsummitkabilang 3rd Philippine Environ- esource'ngenerlayasaban- Si Bishop Antonio Lades- merit Summit na isinaga- sa, bagarnat alam naman ma ng Cagayan De Oro. wa sa Grand CapriceCort- nilangitoaynakalalasondi "We appeal toall tojoin ventionCentersaCagayan lamang sa kalikasan, lcun- the rails as written in our de Oro, ang 'bait financ- ditriaging sa kalusuganng letter as expression of our ing coal' ay hirtdi lamang sambayanan. ang 'climate crisis' ang pi- care for ourconunon home "The IPCC ( Irttergov- and ourfuturegeneratiorts. rtopondohan, kuncli pina- emmentalPanelonClimate For as one saying goes/we hthirapandinnitornaging Change) mported that the donotinherittheEarthfrom ang mga 'coal-affected world has until 2030 tore- ourancestors-weborrew it corrununities.' duce coal use by 78% from fromourchildren:Wemust "As fulfillment of their 2010 levels to avoid even act swiftly for time is run- moralobligation,Philippine more disastrous climate ning out," dagdag pa ng banks must have concrete -impacts. As stewards of Obispo. plans to phase out coal fi- rtance in the time required by today's climate crisis. They must have clear poli- cies restricting their expo- sure to coal, channeling the funds they divest from it itaW elean and affordable renewableenergy forall Fil- ipinos,"

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'Climate crisis' kagagawan ng 'banks financing coal' B1LANG Icinatawan ng 'Withdraw From Coal Campaign', unmpela ang lider ng Simbahang Katolilco sa Philippine financial institutions na tigilan na ang pagbibigay ng pondo pan sa pagpapalawalc ng 'coal j operations' sa bansa at sa halip ay suportahan ang pag-unlad ng 're- / newable energy.' Ayon kay Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, ng Diocese ng San Carlos, Negros Occidental sa ginanap na 3rd Philippine Environment SUIMIlit na isinagawa sa Grand Caprice Convention Center sa Cagayan de Oro, - - ang 'banks financing coal' ay hindi larnang ang 'climate crisis' ang pinopondohan, lcundi pinahihirapan din nito maging ang mga 'coal- affected communities.' "As fulfillment of their moral obligation, Philippine banks must have concrete plans to phase out coal finance in the time required by today's climate crisis. They must have clear policies restricting their exposure to coal, channeling the funds they divest from it into clean and affordable renewable energy for all Filipinos," Kasabay nito, pinuri unman ng Bishop si Pangulong Rodrigo Du- terte a naging direktilia nito sa nalcaraang State of the Nation Address (SONA) nitong 2019, an pagtutman at mabilits na subaybayan ang pag- unlad ng 'renewable energy resources' at huwag dumepende sa 'carbon. Subali't tile binabalewala umano ito ng ibat ibang sektor, kabilang ang finance industry at patuloy na sinusuportahan at pinopondohan ang 'carbon bilang 'source' rig enerhiya sa bansa, bagamat alam naman nilang ito ay nalcalalason di lamang sa kalikasan, kundi maging sa kalusugan ng sambayantut. "The IPCC ( Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report- ed that the world has until 2030 to reduce coal use by 78% from 2010 levels to avoid even more disastrous climate impacts. As stewards of Creation, we must unite with our scientists on this and seek to veer away from a fuel that causes the suffering of our people and destruction of our Common Home," gfit ni Ahninaza. ICasabay nito gumawa ng 'petition letter' sa Bank of the Philippine Islands, ang bangko kung saan karamihan ng Church organizations ay may 'financial relations,' na nilagdaan ng daan-daang dumaki sa nasa- bing summit. Icabilang si Bishop Antonio Ledesma ng Cagayan De Oro. STRATEGIC PAGE I BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNICATION STORY 51011Y

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BILANG kinatawan ng 'With- ronment Summit na isinagawa cies restricting their exposure to draw From Coal Campaign', sa Grand Caprice Convention coal, channeling the funds they umapela ang lider ng Simba- Center sa Cagayan de Oro, ang divest from it into clean and af- hang Katolika sa mga Philippine 'banks financing coal' ay hindi fordable renewable energy for financial institution na tigilan lamang ang climate crisis ang all Filipinos." na ang pagbibigay ng pondo pinopondohan kundi pinahihi- Kasabay nito, pinuri naman para sa pagpapalawak ng 'coal rapan din nito maging ang mga ng Bishop si Pangulong Rodrigo operations' sa bansa at sa halip coal-affected community. Duterte sa naging direktiba into ay suportahan ang pag-unlad ng "As fulfillment of their moral sa nakaraang State of the Nation renewable energy obligation, Philippine banks Address nitong 2019, na pagtu- Ayon lcay Bishop Gerardo must have concrete plans to unan at mabilis na subaybayan Altninaza, ng Diocese ng San phase out coal finance in the ang pag-unlad ng mga renew- Carlos, Negros Occidental sa time required by today's climate able energy resource at huwag ginanap na 3rd Philippine Envi- crisis. They Must have clear poll- dumepende sa 'carbon. PHILIPPINE DAILY ' Ic Of IC STRATEGIC BALANCED NEWS • PURIM VIM& vvrr ITANNER UNIOTITAt CARTOON COMMUNICATION 02-21 I I PAGE I STORY INITIATIVES PAGE lOWEE aNITOD•amr elmily SERVICE INQUIRER 03 02 20 PAGE If DATE

LOW LA MESA DAM WATER LEVEL MANILA WATER 2019 PROFIT DOWN BY 16%

level of a customer's premises. faced resulting from the water ed last April slashed reve- By Ronnel W. Domingo nue by P353 million while the "We are thankful for the un- gRonWDomingoINQ level at the La Mesa Dam in tiring efforts of our employees Quezon City dropping below MWSS-imposed penalty rang up at P534 million. and continued support of our The water supply crisis felt last critical level. stakeholders throughout the This, in turn, resulted in fran- The company said that even year in the national capital, which as it paid the MWSS penalty, it challenges last year," said com- sent Manila Water group through chise-wide, hourslong service in- pany president and chief execu- terruptions and—for the worst maintained that it "has no lia- a cataclysm, did not dislodge bility on the penalty's basis as tive Rene Almendras. the Ayala-led business as it affected—no water for at least "Their trust and dedication seven days in March 2013. it was not the root cause of the posted a profit of P5.5 billion in water supply shortage." are solid proof that foremost of 2015, only 16 percent less than In the second quarter last our commitment is providing year, Manila Water implement- Manila Water added that the 2018 level, thanks to miti- as part of efforts to address the service to our customers even gating contributions by its ope- ed a voluntary bill waiver prog- in the face of overwhelming ram, which was a self-imposed problem, it reconfigured its dis- rations elsewhere in the country. tribution network operations obstacles beyond our control," Manila Water Co. Inc. said penalty that was followed by fines imposed by the Metropol- to maintain service availabili- Almendras said. in a statement the drop in ty, with at least seven pounds The Manila concession-based consolidated net income "has itan Waterworks and Sewerage business alone chalked up a System (MWSS). per square inch of pressure— been anticipated" considering enough to reach the ground floor P5.1-billion net income, a de- the operational problems they The bill waver implement-

crease of 22 percent billion of a 25-percent stake in Subsidiaries that operate the company to Razon group's elsewhere in the country helped Trident Water. shore up company, such as Ma- Manila Water assigned nila Water Philippine Ventures, to Trident proxy rights, such which posted a 131-percent that the Razon group would surge in net income to reach have a 51-percent interest in P450 million. the MWSS concessionaire. The This was mainly due to a Razon group has announced strong performance among Es- a tender offer to buy shares tate Water that cater to real es- from other shareholders at 1313 tate developments as well as La- a share. guna Water and Boracay Water. The deal with Trident More recently, amid the would take effect after the continuing verbal attacks of company's annual stockhold- President Duterte against the ers meeting scheduled this Ayala family, Manila Water April 17, and "after regulatory announced the sale for P10.7 approvals." IND

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ELEVATION DROP The weather bureau expects the water elevation of Angat Darn, which sup- plies consumers in Metro Manila, to drop near or below the reservoirs minimum operating level of 180 meters above sea level by the end of April due to the summer heat. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO •

Angat water •

level still below normal

CITY OF MALOLOS—The low the reservoir's minimum farms in the province. stock in Angat Dam continues operating level of 1.8o mast There are 23,000 hectares to drop because.of lacleof rain, by the end of April due to the of rice farms in 17 towns in Bu- threatening the water sup- summer heat. lacan and four towns in Para- ply in Metro Manila and sur- The situation has prompt- panga. Most of these farms get rounding provinces. ed the National Water Re- irrigation water from Angat As of 6 a.m. on Sunday, sources Board (NWRB) to keep Dam through Bustos Dam, also the water level at Angat was the water allocation for Metro in Bulacart. 202.20 meters above sea lev- Manila at 42 cubic meters per According to Felix Robles, el (mast), lower by o.og m second (cms), which is below head of the water control from the previous day. The the normal allocation of 46 and coordinating unit of the stock's normal elevation is cats. NIA-operated Bustos Dam, the 212 mast. Sevin° David, NWRB ex- 20-CMS allocation covers more The water in the dam has ecutive director, said the al- than 16,000 hectares in the two gone down by as much as .7g lot:pent for irrigation in Hula- provinces. m since Feb. n, according•to can and Pampanga provinces the Phirippiae Atmosp,heric, through the National Irriga- Farmers need more water Geophysical and Astronomical tion Authority (NIA) remained But Ildefonso Canquin, a . Services Administration (Pag- at 20 CMS. farmer from Bulakan town, asa). The NWRB approved the said the farmers had been allocation last month, but the lobbying for 30 cms so they Summer heat Bulacan Federation of Irri- could irrigate more land and Pagasa has projected the gators' Associations said this increase their production. dam's stock to dip near or be- was not enough to irrigate the —CARMELA REVES-ESTROPE INQ

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Sufficient data, budget to help improve irrigation systems—study

BY CAI U. ORDINARIO 0 @caiordinario

DEQUATE data and the provision of "realistic" resources would help A improve irrigation systems, ac- cording to a study released by the Philip- pine Institute for Development Studies. The study, titled "Assessing the Resur- gentIrrigation Development Program of the Philippines-NationalIrrigation Systems [NIS] Component," said data on potential irrigable areas have been inadequate, particularly on field-based information on soil texture and land suitability. Resources have also been lacking par- ticularly for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation systems, as well as the completion of irrigation projects. "NIA [National Irrigation Administra- tion] should allocate realistic resources for O&M, and formulate effective policies and incentive systems, so as not to defer O&M until the problem becomes a major rehabili- tation project. The target is to establish the system condition near its design condition," the study read. The study indicated that adequate re- sources are needed to address water losses, especially in Earth or unlined canals. Resources are also needed to adopt In- PHOTO shows the General Aguinaldo Communal Irrigation Project in Dinagat Islands, which was inaugurated by the tegrated Watershed Management (IWM) National Irrigation Administration in 2016. NIA PHOTO to control runoffs and degradation; pro- tect and conserve watersheds; enhance old project deliverables. But the contract their scheduled availment as of 2018 for the water resource originating from the should have been followed until comple- their project loans were: the Departments watershed; control soil erosion and reduce tion," the study read. of Transportation (DOTr), of Public Works sedimentation; and inctease the infiltra- "This may be in part due to lack of bud- and Highways (DPWH), of Environment tion of rainwater. get to finish up the incomplete projects or and Natural Resources (DENR), of Social The study stated that the lack of budget it could be that the feasibility of opening Welfare and Development (DSWD), and was due to the focus of the NIS on new ir- new projects with new budget seem more the NIA. rigation projects and less on completing promising," it added. Neda said these agencies accounted for 91 existing projects. The National Economic and Develop- percent of the total availment backlog. Data "In NIS, the trend of focusing on new ment Authority (Neda) said the availment showed the DOTr accounted for an availment projects instead of finishing up old/in- backlog for overseas development assis- backlog of $724.34 million; DPWH, $406.9 complete projects seems to demonstrate tance was at $1.42 billion in 2018. million; NM, $58.22 million; DENR, $52.34 the lack of commitment to comply with The top 5 agencies that did not meet million; and DSWD, $48.8 million. INDIEDRINI .4. SI IIA I 6lai BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON COMMUNI( A I II IN PAGE 1 WM NilIIAIIVIS THe)lianila Zttmc 03 02 20 DATE

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NEGROS TOWN DECLOGGING, DESILTATION PROJECT SET BACOLOD CITY: It's all systems go fora declogging and desiltation project in the Imbang, Madalaga and Malogo Rivers of EB Magalona, Negros Occi- dental, Mayor Marvin Malacon said after a recent public hearing on the proj- ect conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and attended by Barangay Latasan, Madalag, Batea and Pasil officials, as well as sectoral representatives from the town. Awaiting for the release of the environment compliance certificate from the DENR, Malacon said the project timeline will depend on the ship's capacity where the materials from the dredging area will be transferred and shipped to reclamation projects, and on weather conditions that may stall the operations especially during the rainy season. When asked about his assessment of the hearing, the mayor said"the people were satisfied with the presentation of the contrac- tor of the project." Malacon added that the project is"the answer to the flooding problem of my town." From the income of the contractor, a portion will be returned to the local government unit of which 40 percent will go to the provincial government, 30 percent to the municipal government and 30 percent to affected barangay(villages), he said. They want the share of thevillages to be put in a common fund managed by the municipal govern- ment"to ensure that its utilization is regulated and the people will benefit from it," Malacon pointed out. lie called environment groups opposing the project as"ignorant of the project"for asking what he described as the - same irrelevant and nonsensical questions. The dredging ship manned by about 30 Chinese is already on its way to the Philippines after undergoing quarantine in Singapore, Malacon said. Eric Tagle, president and Chief Oper- ating Officer of First Terradev Corporation, said their firm ha'S been ready for the project since August 2019, and will comply with government laws and regulations imposed on their EB Magalona project. EUGENE V. ADIONG INAI H LH) III I I S I RATE( ;re l'AfIr I rtnlirrp I' (111, tiliA1 it it ( .1 11 V111111141CATIIMI "Ion 2111 10...... "••••"" I r11 INT!: tr. ,,es.nrwir :1.111tVrit I: ,6iI14,111- 3 03 02 20 "A II

EDITORIAL Averting water shortage BEWARE the Ides of March! A scorching summer is apparently on the horizon, and everyone must brace for the temperature to rise as we are at the tail-end of the cold season that started quite late into the holidays. And so here we go again. And the question that must be asked is: Is thegovenunent better prepared to address the loom- ing water crisis this year? Sen. Joel Villanueva has sought an inquiry into the preparation of different government agencies and stake- holders to avert the negative effects of the anticipated water shortage in the summer months. 'The water shortage in 2019 caught most of our people by surprise. It's almost a year since the shortage happened so we're expecting that the MWSS and its two concession- aires are better prepared this lime;' Villanueva correctly noted. His resolution cited problems experienced by different establishments last year such as hospitals, especially those in severely affected areas that reportedly "turnredl away patients with less urgent cases." He also mentioned drastic water conservation efforts of businesses whose facilities resorted to streamlining toilet operations, among other incidents. "Our experience last year shows that Metro Manila has inadequate water supply. Our regulator and concession- aires should be able to respond to this upcoming problem," he lawmaker said. Proposed Senate Resolution 29 pointed couft "there is a need to closely monitor the national water programs, activi- ties, and projects being implemented and undertaken by the government to demand not only its prioritization, but also its timeliness and effectiveness in recognition of the people's Constitutional right to health and to a balanced and healthful ecology." 'This is especially more so considering that Angat Dam has not reached its ideal level of 212 meters," Villanueva explained. As of 6 a.m. of February 25, the dam's water level is at 202.23 meters, according to the monitoring of the Philip- pine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. The resolution, which the senator filed on February 18, also sought updates on the accomplished, ongoing, and pipelined projects of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, including the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, the Kaliwa Dam, and the Ipo Dam 3 Project, among other issues. ccc STRATEGIC UPPER BANNER EDRORIAt CARTOON COMMUNICATION PAGE I STORY infir.21~ INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER SERVICE 03 02 20

DATE PAG IMF TAG-INIT o summer na. Marami na any nah- ligo kung saan-saan para maibsan ang pag- Unit ng katawan. Any sunog naman ay madalas na maga- nap sa ganitong pana- hon. Matitindi any mga pinsalang dulot ng tag- init o summer. MAGBANTAY LAHAT Kamatayan at kapin- SA LUNOD AT SUNOG salaan sa ari-arian. Kaya naman, dapat Nagkaroon na rin ng sunog na nagaganap, na mag-ingat any lahat. mga grass fire at 26 na maraming Pinoy any Pero hindi lang mag- sunog mula Enero. walang kaalam-alam o ingat kundi magbantay SUNOG SA METRO kakakayahan para lu- na rin laban sa panga- MANILA maban sa sunog at da- nib ng tag-init. Enero 1 nang mag- pat na pagtuunan ito ng MGA SUNOG simulang magkasunog pansin ng mga ki'na- Kung saan-saan na- sa iba't ibang lugar sa uukulan. gaganap any sunog Metro Manila. MAO F3ANTAY ngayon. Kabilang sa mga ito SA PAGKALUNOD At walang oras at ang naganap sa Pasig Nakagigimbal any araw na itinatakda nito Line, Sta. Ana, Manila na pagkalunod ng limang kung kailan umatake. tumupok sa tahanan ng high school student na Pero karaniwang na- mahigit 640 pamilya. pawang kababaihan ka- gaganap any sunog sa Sumunod ang sunog makalawa ng hapon. mga sentrong lugar ga- sa Gen. Araneta Street, Nagpaalam na mag- ya ng Kamaynilaan. Brgy. San Antonio, Pasig kakaroon ng praktis pa- Meron ding mga su- City na ikinamaty ng isang ra sa isang aktibidad ng nog na nagaganap sa tao. kanilang eskwelang mga kabundukan gaya Nagkasunog naman Bukig National Agricul- ng sa Benguet na sina- sa Brgy. Sto. Domingo, tural and Technical sabing nakokontrol na Quezon City nitong Enero School any mga dala- ng mga awtoridad. 19 at namatay rito ang gita nang malunod sila MGA SUNOG SA isang senior citizen, si An- sa malalim na parte ng LALAWIGAN gelita Unite, habang ma- Cagayan River sa Brgy. Pansinin natin any higit 180 pamilya ang San Joaquin, Camala- mga sunog na ito. nawalan ng tahanan. niugan, Cagayan. Noong Enero 4, na- Pinakamalaking su- Naganap any pang- sunog ang dalawang nog ang pagkatupok ng yayari sa silangan ng bahay sa Disud, Sinda- isang warehouse ng plas- isla na tinatawag nilang ngan, Zamboanga del tik sa Pandacan, Manila Pugo sa nasabing ilog Norte nang iwanan ng na ikinadamay ng ilang at nakaharap sa Brgy. isang matanda ang kan- ka-bahayan. Catotoran Norte dakong yang kusina habang na- Naging dahilan ito ng 1:00 ng hapon at nata- gluluto siya. pagguho ng ilang parte ng pos any pay-rescue da- Kinahapunan, na- Skyway sa lugar. kong alas-4:00 ng ha- sunog naman any isang MGA DAHILAN pon. Ayon kina Brgy. Joa- car repair shop sa Sud- Lahat ng mga dahilan quin dela Cruz Chair- Ion, Molave, Zamboanga ng sunog ay dapat alamin man Adoracion Ortiz at del Sur mula sa umapoy at dapat na totoo at huwag Brgy. Kagawad Roderick na kawad ng kutyente ng haluan ng kasinungali- Torio, nalaman nila mu- electric cooperative. ngan. la sa isang bangkero o Nasunog naman Ito'y para makagawa namamasada ng bang- ang nasa 60 bahay sa any lahat ng mga hak- ka patawid sa ilog ang Brgy. Luz, Cebu City bang na nararapat upang pangyayari. Enero 13, 2020 nang sa susunod na mga araw Naunang nagsaga- sunugin umano ng ay maiwasan any mga wa ng sariling rescue isang adik ang sarili ni- sunog. any bangkero ngunit yang bahay sa lugar. Kabilang sa mga nag- hindi nito nakayanang Nasa 60 bahay rin ing klarong dahilan any iligtas any mga bata at any nasunog sa Rayco, depektibong electrical dito na siya humingin ng Purok 2, Bankerohan wire o labis na paggamit tulong kina kapitan. Riverside, Brgy. 6-A, ng kuryente o depektibong Mabilis namang tu- Davao City noong Enero gamit-pangkuryente. mawag ng rescue sina 15 dahil sa nag-init at Meron ding mukhang kapitan kay Tristan Aqui- nagliyab na electric fan arson gaya ng gawa ng no na agad na nagpa- sa isang bahay. isang adik. dala ng search and res- Pebrero 3 naman Meron ding napaba- cue team ngunit natag- nang masunog sa hindi yaang kusina. puan na lang nflang matukoy na dahilan any Any P1 bilyong pinsa- bangkay sina Loriebeth 13 bahay sa Kilometer la naman sa Skyway at Ruatos, 14; Jenny Dela 8.5 Santa Cruz, Brgy. San Miguel warehouse Cruz, 14; Aireen Tubol, Matina Pangi, Davao naman ay nagmula sa 16; Mae Tubol, 13; at City, mga nagbabagang metal Bernadeth Paet, 14. Nagkaroon din ni- mula sa grinder at apoy ng Nakaligtas sa tra- tong Pebrero 23 ng kam- welding na tumama sa hedya any kaklase ni- bal na sunog sa Purok mga karton na nagpaliyab lang sina Christine Mae 44, Mangahan, Ulas sa mga ito. Aquino,Christine Joy Brgy. Talomo at Tavera Lumalabas na walang Urbi at Looreis Rieto. St., Davao City sa 'di mahirap na lugar at ma- 0 mga magulang at agad nalamang mga yamang lugar sa sunog at teacher, pakibantayan dahilan at maraming kombinasyon ng mga nang husto any ating bahay ang natupok at pagkakamali o kapa- mga anak sa kanilang commercial establish- bayaan ng tao at depekti- pagliliwaliw. ment. bong mga gamit any mga Anomang reaksyon Isang two—story res- dahilan ng sunog. o reklamo, maaaring taurant naman sa Brgy. Pero isang malaking iparating sa 0922840- Lualhati, Baguio City ni- bagay any lumilitaw rito: 3333 o i-email sa banti- tong Pebrero 26. sa kabila ng maraming pordah, yahoo. com. it•IP • STRATEGIC UPPER PAGE 1 BANNER EDITORIAL CARTOON gijk COMMUNICATION I3 STORY STORY INITIATIVES PAGE LOWER "21.1 SERVICE 11•1•100 NEWS IN A FLASH 1'10.00 03 02 20

PAGE I DATE Baguio bans harmful wet wipes By ZALDY COMANDA such as methylchloroisothiaz- at the city's grocery stores, the confiscated items, and the olinone, methylisothiazolinone black market, supermarkets, mode of disposal conducted. BAGUIO CITY — The city (MCl/MIT) and iodopropynyl and convenience stores; and The CHSO is also enjoined to government has called on all butylcarbamate (IPBC) are the continued sale of these coordinate with the FDA and business establishments to Dong Bang, Dong Bang Yao products supposedly for hy- the City Environment and Parks ban the sale of wet wipes and Baby Tender, Family Treasure giene is disturbing," the ordi- Management Office (CEPMO) other similar products with Baby Tender, Sky Fire Baby nance reads. to identify environmental- harmful ingredients in line Tender, Giggley Baby Wipes, Pursuant to the ordinance, friendly modes of disposal of with an ordinance signed by and Super Soft Skin Care Wet the City Health Services Office confiscated products. Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Towel. (CF-ISO) — in coordination with Erring individuals and es- Vice Mayor. Faustino Olow- Under the ordinance, the the Public Order and Safety tablishments will be fined with an said the ordinance cites said wet wipes brands and Division (POSD) and the ba- P1,000 for the first offense the environmental group's other similar products found rangay officials — is autho- (immediate closure of busi- warning on the presence of to contain harmful ingredients rized to conduct inspection in ness for those without busi- harmful chemical compounds are now prohibited in the city. establishments and confiscate ness permits); r3,000.00 for in wet wipes which may trig- Individuals or business estab- the prohibited products. It the second offense (closure ger skin allergies and contact lishments that would surren- will be followed by an inven- of business for those without dermatitis. der banned products will not tory on the confiscated items, business permits until com- According to the coalition, be penalized. identification of the names of pliance); and P5,000.00 and the six products that contain "Some of these baby wipes/ the establishment, their loca- non-renewal of business per- harmful chemical compounds products were found to be sold tions, the type and number of mit for the third offense.