The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will mark the local celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD) on May 22 with a food fair showcasing organic, healthy and sustainable products derived from biological resources.
The event, dubbed as “Samu’tSaringTikim Fair,” seeks to raise awareness and appreciation on the importance of biodiversity as food source that leads to good health. DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the event fits well with the IDBD 2019 theme— “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”—which focuses on biodiversity as foundation for food and health, and a key catalyst to transforming food systems and improving human health.
“This year’s celebration offers a timely reminder on the importance of effective management of the country’s rich biodiversity, especially when it comes to achieving food security,” Cimatu said.
He added: “As we observe IDBD, we are reminded of the limited resources we have as human beings when it comes to one of the top basic needs—food. We therefore continue to sustainably manage these limited resources for the benefit of our children and future generations.”
Organized by the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, the “Tikim Fair” will be held on May 22 at the amphitheater of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City. The exhibitors include members of the Asosasyon ng mgaNagkakaisangMagkakapitbahay ng Palanas in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City; health and biodiversity advocates; select DENR and BMB staff; and media personnel.
The food fair will also feature a cook festival featuring demos with local food experts and a lecture on sustainable diet for Filipinos, traditional health practices, and a nature walk before lunchtime.
Two new books on biodiversity will also be launched: “Public Parks and Green Open Spaces,” a joint undertaking of the DENR and non-government organizationssuch as the Alliance for Safe, Sustainable, and Resilient Environments (ASSURE) and the Forest Foundation of the Philippines (FFP), and “Native Plants of Boracay Wetlands” by the Energy Development Corp and the BMB.
This year’s IDBD theme also celebrates the diversity of the species provided by the natural environment for human existence and well-being on earth, while contributing to achieve the other Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystems restoration, cleaner water and zero hunger, among others.
As a member country of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Philippines observes IDBD every May 22, the date when the United Nations proclaimed to raise understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. May 22 was chosen so as to commemorate the adoption of the CBD in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ###
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu on Monday led the signing of the agreement between the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) over the loan and conservation of a pair of critically endangered Philippine eagle, the country’s national bird and crown jewel of biodiversity.
Cimatu said the two raptors—Geothermica and Sambisig—will play a crucial role as ambassadors for Philippine biodiversity once they are brought on June 4 to Jurong Bird Park operated by WRS.
“The Philippine eagle is a critically-endangered species. As such, it is an ideal ambassador of Philippine biodiversity, perfect for the purpose of generating awareness on the urgent need for conservation,” Cimatu said during the signing ceremony of the wildlife loan agreement (WLA) with WRS held at the DENR central office in Quezon City.
It marked the first time the Philippines, through the DENR, entered into an agreement of its kind with a foreign institution.
With the accord, Cimatu said the DENR aims to stimulate international support for an in-situ conservation program for the Philippine eagle, along with a biosecurity measure against risks arising from catastrophic events such as disease outbreaks.
“Sending Geothermica and Sambisig to Singapore acts as a biosecurity measure to ensure the survival of the species and as a fallback population in the event of catastrophic events like disease outbreaks or extreme natural calamities taking place in their Philippine habitats,” Cimatu pointed out.
Both Geothermica and Sambisig, aged 15 and 17 years old, respectively, are products of the conservation breeding program of the Philippine Eagle Center based in Davao City.
The signing of the DENR-WRS deal was the highlight of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Philippines-Singapore Friendship Day. It also came two days before the observance of the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.
Cimatu said the DENR was honored to be part of the celebration by loaning the Philippine eagle, which he described as the “crown jewel of the Philippine biodiversity, an integral part of the rich Filipino heritage.”
“As our national bird, it (Philippine eagle) embodies our aspiration to soar high as a nation,” he added.
Cimatu said that Geothermica and Sambisig will be on loan to WRS—one of the world’s leading zoological institutions—and in their new home in a realistic setting at the 20.2-hectare Jurong Bird Park, Asia’s largest bird park that is home to close to 3,500 birds across 400 species, of which 20 percent is threatened.
The loan wildlife agreement involving the pair of Philippine eagle was facilitated by the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau led by Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.
Under the agreement, the DENR commits to send the raptors to Singapore, issueor make the necessary representation with concerned government agencies to facilitate the issuance of necessary permits for the transportation, export and/or shipment of the birds to the facility of WRS and monitor the birds annually.
The WRS, on the other hand, assumes full responsibility in ensuring the proper care, handling, maintenance and security of the loaned Philippine eaglesin its facility; recognizes and commits that the loaned Philippine eagles and their ensuring progenies, including their genetic materials and any derivatives, if any, remain the sole property of the Republic of the Philippines; and submits annual report on the status of the loaned birds and activities undertaken, including research findings and other project-related developments.
For his part, Dr. Cheng Wen-Haur, deputy chief executive officer and chief life sciences officer of WRS, expressed his gratitude in the Philippine government for trusting their institution in taking care of the two raptors.
“We are honored by the trust that the Philippine government has placed in us to care for the country’s national bird. As a conservation-minded wildlife organization, there is a strong synergy between our focus on protecting animals—particularly threatened Southeast Asian species—and the Philippine Eagle Foundation’s mission to promote the survival of a truly majestic raptor and the biodiversity it represents,” Wen-Haur said.
“Together, we can actively contribute in a greater capacity to raise awareness of the threats that the wild cousins of these Eagles face in the wild, even as we continue the work of breeding to fight extinction,” he added.
Last year, the DENR issued Memorandum Circular 2018-04 which lays down the protocol that allows the keeping of captive populations of the Philippine eagle in qualified institutions for conservation, scientific research and public education.
Known as the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length and wing surface, the Philippine eagle is listed as a “critically endangered” raptor in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List and the country’s National List of Threatened Species under DENR Administrative Order 2004-15.
Wild populations of the species throughout the archipelago remains precarious with an estimated number of less than 400 pairs. Hunting and loss of forest habitat remain the primary threats to its survival.
Because of its small population, Rodriguez said the Philippine eagle is vulnerable to impacts of environmental conditions such as natural calamities and outbreak of disease.
“Diseases, in particular avian influenza, are increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor that can affect both wild and captive populations of the Philippine eagle,” the BMB chief said.
According to Cimatu, the DENR considers the Philippine eagle as among its priority threatened species for conservation.
“Being an iconic species and one requiring vast forest as habitat, the conservation of the Philippine eagle continue to be one of the rallying point in setting aside the remaining forest areas of this country as protected area,” Cimatu said.
The DENR Secretary also cited the important role played by thePhilippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), which is the DENR’s primary partner in the conservation of the national bird.
From 1992 to 2016, Cimatu said the PEF has produced 28 captive-bred eagles at the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City, including Geothermica and Sambisig. ###
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is urging newly elected city and municipal mayors to prioritize the implementation of environmental laws, notably Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu reminded local officials of their duty under RA 9003, which provides for a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program in the country.
The law, according to Cimatu, states that LGUs are primarily responsible for waste segregation and disposal.
“We call on newly elected local officials to give priority to full and strict implementation of environmental laws, particularly on solid waste management,” Cimatu said.
Aside from RA 9003, Cimatu said the DENR is also counting on LGUs for the full implementation of RA 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and RA 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
At the same time, the environment chief called on local government officials within the Manila Bay region to cooperate with the DENR-led inter-agency task force in charge of the Manila Bay rehabilitation.
“The task force cannot do it alone. We need the full cooperation of LGUs,” Cimatu said.
DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda warned that local officials found violating the provisions of RA 9003 could be held administratively and criminally liable.
Antiporda encouraged newly elected officials to report any violation of RA 9003, particularly the presence of open dumpsites in their respective localities.
“By doing so, these officials will send the right signal early on in their administration and that is they do not tolerate any wrongdoing,” Antiporda said.
The DENR official said that failure on the part of the newly elected officials to act or report any irregularities committed by their predecessors would be dealt accordingly.
“We will go after both newly elected and outgoing local officials who violated environmental laws,” Antiporda said. “Violators could face a jail term of up to three years.”
Last week, the DENR issued a cease and desist order against the municipal government of Limay in Bataan province for operating an open dumpsite right beside a creek flowing to Mamala River, which drains into Manila Bay.
Establishment and maintenance of an open dumpsite is strictly prohibited under RA 9003.
The DENR directed Limay officials to immediately stop the operation of the dumpsite and conduct immediate rehabilitation of the affected area. ###
Hiniling ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa mga bagong halal na alkalde sa buong bansa na gawing prayoridad ang pagpapatupad ng environmental laws partikular na ang Republic Act 9003 o mas kilala sa tawag na Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Pinaalalahanan din ni DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ang mga lokal na opisyal sa kanilang tungkulin na nakapaloob sa RA 9003 para sa tinatawag na “systematic”, “comprehensive” at “ecological solid waste management program”.
Ayon kay Cimatu, base sa nakasaad sa naturang batas, ang mga local government unit (LGU) ang siyang responsable sa tamang paghihiwalay at pagtatapon ng basura sa kanilang nasasakupang lugar.
“We call on newly elected local officials to give priority to full and strict implementation of environmental laws, particularly on solid waste management,” sabi ni Cimatu.
Bukod sa RA 9003, inaasahan din ni Cimatu na mahigpit din ipatutupad ng mga LGU ang RA 8749 o ang Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 at ang RA 9275 o ang Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Kasabay nito, nanawagan din ang environment chief sa mga local government officials na nakasasakop sa Manila Bay na makipagtulungan sa DENR at sa inter-agency task force na naatasan sa rehabilitasyon ng nasabing baybayin.
“The task force cannot do it alone. We need the full cooperation of LGUs,” dagdag pa ni Cimatu.
Nagbabala naman si DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda sa mga opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan na maaari silang masampahan ng kasong administratibo at kriminal kapag nilabag ang mga probisyon sa RA 9003.
Hinikayat din nito ang mga bagong halal na opisyal na ipagbigay alam sa tanggapan ng DENR ang anumang paglabag sa RA 9003, partikular na ang pagkakaroon ng open dumpsite sa kanilang mga nasasakupang lugar.
“By doing so, these officials will send the right signal early on in their administration and that is they do not tolerate any wrongdoing,” ayon pa kay Antiporda.
Aniya, maaaring madamay ang mga bagong halal na opisyal sa kasong isasampa sa mga papalitan nila sa tungkulin kapag hindi ipinarating ng mga ito sa DENR ang mga paglabag sa RA 9003 sa kanilang lugar.
“We will go after both newly elected and outgoing local officials who violated environmental laws”. “Violators could face a jail term of up to three years,” saad pa nito.
Matatandaan na noong nakalipas na linggo nang maglabas ng cease and desist order ang DENR sa municipal government ng Limay sa Bataan dahil sa pag-o-operate ng open dumpsite malapit sa creek na patungo sa Mamala River na dumadaloy naman sa Manila Bay.
Ang pagkakaroon ng open dumpsite ay mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa ilalim ng RA 9003. Agad namang ipinag-utos ng DENR sa mga opisyal ng Limay, Bataan ang pagpapasara sa open dumpsite at ang rehabilitasyon sa mga naapektuhang lugar. ###
Ipagdiriwang ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang selebrasyon ng International Day for Biological Diversity sa Mayo 22 sa pamamagitan ng isang food fair kung saan itatampok ang mga pagkain mula sa “biological resources”.
Ang gaganaping kasiyahan ay tatawaging “Samu’t Saring Tikim Fair” na may layuning ipakilala at tanggapin ang kahalagahan ng biodiversity bilang pinagkukunan ng pagkain para sa maayos na kalusugan.
Ayon kay DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, napapanahon ang gaganaping selebrasyon ng IDBD 2019 na may temang “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”, dahil sa pamamagitan nito ay maimumulat ang sambayanan para sa mga masusuntansiyang pagkain na nagbibigay ng maayos na pangangatawan.
“This year’s celebration offers a timely reminder on the importance of effective management of the country’s rich biodiversity, especially when it comes to achieving food security,” ayon kay Cimatu.
Sinabi pa nito: “As we observe IDBD, we are reminded of the limited resources we have as human beings when it comes to one of the top basic needs—food. We therefore continue to sustainably manage these limited resources for the benefit of our children and future generations.”
Gaganapin ang “Tikim Fair” sa darating na Mayo 22 na idaraos sa Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center sa Quezon City na iisponsoran ng Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) ng DENR.
Kabilang sa mga makikiisa sa gaganaping kasiyahan ay ang mga miyembro ng Asosasyon ng mga Nagkakaisang Magkakapitbahay ng Palanas sa Barangay Vasra, Quezon City; health and biodiversity advocates, DENR at BMB staff at mga miyembro ng media.
Ilan sa mga itatampok sa food fair ay ang cook festival kung saan ay magde-demo ang mga lokal na eksperto sa pagluluto, pagtuturo ng tamang diyeta para sa mga Filipino at ang mga tradisyunal na health practices at nature walk bago magtanghali.
Ilulunsad din sa pagdiriwang ang dalawang bagong libro tungkol sa biodiversity kabilang na dito ang “Public Parks and Green Open Spaces” na pinagtulungang gawin ng DENR at ng non-government organizations na Alliance for Safe, Sustainable and Resilient Environments (ASSURE) at ng Forest Foundation of the Philippines (FFP); at ang “Native Plants of Boracay Wetlands” na gawa naman ng Energy Development Corp at ng BMB.
Bilang bansang kasapi ng Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ay ipinagdiriwang ng Pilipinas ang IDBD tuwing Mayo 22 kung saan iprinoklama ng United Nations ang kahalagahan ng mga usapin sa biodiversity kasabay din ng petsang ito ang paggunita ng Earth Summit sa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ###