Church executive hails DENR action on 23 mining operations

An executive of the social arm of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines lauded the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the recent closure of a number of mining operations across the country.

The DENR issued the closure orders against 23 mining firms, most of them operating in near or within the functional watersheds and coastal waters, based on the final results and recommendations of the multisectoral audit teams formed to look into the compliance of mining operators with the existing environmental laws and regulations.

“Truly, mining in watershed and fragile island ecosystems should not have been permitted! The government is serious in repairing its gross mistake in the past - where all that matters is the corporate interests at the cost of the environment,” National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez said.

“(Secretary) Gina Lopez should be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments for standing to what is right and in defending people's well-being, over and above corporate greed," Father Gariguez added.

Meanwhile, companies that are affected can file for a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) to the DENR within 15 days from receipt of the order and still be appealed to the Office of the President.

The list of mining companies affected by the closure can be seen on through this link: http://bit.ly/2kfQhEy.

A recipient of the 2012 Goldman Environment Prize,  Father Gariguez is known for leading an 11-day hunger strike with Mangyans in Mindoro to stop the mining operation of the Norwegian firm Intex in 2009.

He is now involved in Yolanda Rehabilitation efforts for survivors which also included those who survived the monster storm in Coron, Palawan.

These rehabilitation efforts are part of the Catholic Church's three-year program in nine provinces with focus on ecosystem recovery and livelihood promotion. #

07 February 2017

BMB holds Biodiversity-Friendly Business and Investment Forum today

At least three people's organizations based within or near the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape have shunned destructive forest (kaingin) and marine practices in favor of designing and manufacturing coffee tables, dividers and woven bags.

These community-based livelihood projects in Taytay and San Vicente towns of Palawan will be tackled this afternoon at the Biodiversity-Friendly Business and Investment Forum that the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) has organized.

The forum, ongoing at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati,  aims to match these livelihood projects with compatible investors or financiers that will help these local ventures to grow.

Paje: Vigan's victory attests the value of protecting Philippine heritage

Environment and Natural Secretary Secretary Ramon Paje on Thursday expressed appreciation to the Filipino peple, particularly the people of Vigan, for the success of Vigan City as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World.

“Once again, we, Filipinos have proven that indeed, there is strength in unity.  By taking the time and effort to vote, our people, both at home and abroad, as well as many of our friends in the international community, we were able to amass the votes needed to propel the City of Vigan to its new status as one of the New Seven Wonder Cities of the World.  Definitely, this is another testimony on the tourism jewels of our country,” Paje said.

Like the successful election of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in November 2011, Paje expressed confidence that the new title bestowed on Vigan would help boost ongoing efforts to preserve and conserve its “irreplaceable” cultural heritage.

“There’s no doubt this new recognition given to Vigan would further inspire and motivate its people to maintain and reinforce their cultural legacy,” Paje said.

The DENR chief likewise stressed the significance of Vigan’s victory in providing a model of local governance particularly in terms of engaging community participation in heritage conservation and city management.

The DENR chief has committed to cooperate with the Department of Tourism and concerned LGUs to continue in their efforts in protecting the country’s natural heritage for ecotourism purposes.

Vigan City is a favorite tourist destination in Northern Philippines, famed for its unique colonial architecture lined by cobblestone streets, and visited for its distinct cuisine. It is the only Philippine town or city inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Local Conservation Area, pag-uusapan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan

QUEZON CITY, ika-22 ng Oktubre (PIA): Magpupulong ngayong Huwebes ang ilang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa Lungsod Pasig para pag-usapan ang pangangalaga ng biodiversity sa kanilang mga lugar.

Sa National Conference on Local Conservation Areas, pangungunahan ng Biodiversity Management Bureau,  kasamang lalahok ang bayan ng San Teodoro (Oriental Mindoro) sa dalawang araw na talakayan hinggil sa pagtatatag ng local conservation areas. 

Ang Local Conservation Area ay  bahagi ng isang lugar na hindi nasasaklaw ng NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Areas System) Act of 1992  kundi pinoprotektahan sa ilalim ng ordinansa na ipinasa ng lokal na pamahalaan. 

Ayon kay Environment and National Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, umaasa silang darami pa ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na mauunawaan ang kaugnayan ng kanilang ekonomiya sa pangangalaga ng kanilang eco system at iba pang likas yaman.

Inaasahang tatalakayin din sa kumperensya ang mga isyu ng turismo, pagbabago ng panahon, insentibo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at iba pang karanasan sa pangangalaga sa agrikultura at pangisdaan. 

Mga ayaw mag-waste segregation, pagmumultahin ng pamahalaan

May mga ginagawang hakbang ang pamahalaan para mapwersa ang bawat tahanan na matutunan ang waste segregation.

Sa pang-Biernes na edisyon ng PIA Communication and News Exchange Forum, tiniyak ni Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje na seryoso ang pamahalaan sa pagpapatupad ng Solid Waste Management Act.

Anya, nagsisimula sa bahay ang waste segregation o paghihiwalay ng mga nabubulok sa hindi nabubulok na basura.

“Dapat i-manage ang basura, hindi ni Mayor, Hindi ni Vice Mayor o ni Kapitan,”sabi ni Secretary Paje, “bago pa lang ilabas ng bahay, dapat segregated (hiwa-hiwalay) na.”

Kung tutuusin, paliwanag ni Secretary Paje, sa waste segregation pa lang ay mababawasan na ang basura.

Yung mga nabubulok na basura ay pwedeng tipunin para gawing pataba; yung mga hindi na bubulok ngunit pwede pang gamitin tulad ng bote, garapa at dyaryo ay pwedeng pagkakitaan.

Sa kabila nito, aminado ang kalihim na mahirap pasunurin ang mga tahanan sa waste segregation na ipinag-uutos ng batas.

Ito ang dahilan kaya nakipag-kasundo ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources sa mga lokal na pamahalaan lalo na sa Metro Manila para umaksyon at pumilit sa mga mamamayan na mag-waste segregation.

Ayon kay Secretary Paje, lahat ng mga kontratista sa pagkuha ng basura ay pagmumultahin ng kalahating milyong piso sa sandaling matuklasan na tumatanggap ang mga ito ng magkakahalong basura.

Dahil sa napakabigat na multa, naniniwala ang kalihim magiging maselan ang mga kulektor sa mga basurang manggagaling sa mga kabahayan.

Kung mayroong pa ring magmamatigas at ayaw mag-segregate ng basura, sinabi ni Secretary Paje na mangangamoy ang mga bahay ng mga ganitong pasaway.

Para sa karagdagang paliwanag ni Secretary Paje, panoorin siya sa http://bit.ly/lGBtAT  at http://bit.ly/j4MXQU.