Hindi pa ligtas sa kaparusahan ang mga local executives na nagging pabayasa pagpapatupad ng mga environmental laws kahit na paalis na ang mga ito bilang lider sa kanilang pinamahalaang lugar.
Ito ang sinabini Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Unit Concerns Benny Antiporda kasabay ngpagbibigay ng cease-and-desist orders (CDOs) sa sampung hotel at restaurant na napatunayang nagiging dahilan upang dumumi ang Bacuit Bay sa El Nido, Palawan.
Ang El Nido ay isasamga“tourism hot spots” sa bansa na kasalukuyang sumasailalim sa rehabilitasyon kasama ng Boracay at Manila Bay.
“There are only a minimal number of local government units who followed the instruction to temporarily revoke the mayor’s permit of violators, that’s why there is a need to show some force on irresponsible local executives,” sabi ni Antiporda.
Ayon kay Antiporda, nakapahalaga ang pagtugon ng mga local government sa pansamantalang pagsuspinde sa mayor’s permit ng mga pasaway na establisiyamento kapag ibinigay sa kanila ng DENR ang listahan dahil sa pamamagitan nito ay maiiwasan ang kontaminasyon ng mga waterways.
“We’re expecting full support coming from our local government once we have submitted our lists of violators in their respective areas. We expect them to act by temporarily suspending the mayor’s permit so as to avoid the wastewater discharge from contaminating our waterways,” dagdag pa ni Antiporda.
Noong isang linggo ay naglabas ng CDO ang DENR-MIMAROPA laban sa El Nido Sea Shell Resorts and Hotel na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Buena Suerte; Doublegem Beach Resort and Hotel, Buko Beach Resort, Panorama Resort (Mangonana Inc.), Four Seasons Seaview Hotel at Stunning Republic Beach Hotel sa Brgy. Corong-corong; Sava Beach Bar/Sava Nest Egg Inc., El Nido Beach Hotel at angThe Nest El Nido Resorts and Spa, Inc. sa Brgy. Masagana dahil sa paglabag ng mga ito sa Clean Water Act.
Nilinaw pa ni Antiporda na ang Clean Water Act ay ipinatutupad hindi lamang sa mga establisiyamento sa Palawan kundi maging sa buong bansa.
Nanawagan din ang DENR salahat ng local government units na agad na umaksiyon sa mga establisiyamentong nabigyan ng CDO sa pamamagitan ng pansamantalang pagbawi ng permit upang mapilitan ang mga ito na sumunod sa environmental laws at maiwasan ang pagkasira ng kapaligiran. “If the outgoing officials still have the chance to prove their worth to their constituents before they leave, then they should do it. Otherwise, we will file cases against them if they have neglected their duty to enforce environmental laws” ani pa niAntiporda.
Aniya, sakaling mapatunayan na ang isang establisiyamento ay hindi sumusunod sa mga pamantayan ng tamang pagtatapon ng kanilang wastewater ay seselyuhan ng DENR ang pinagmumulan at pinaglalabasan ng kanilang tubig. ###
Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu today reiterated his call on all establishments and the people in Boracay, both local and foreign, to observe the rules and regulations imposed by the government in order to complete the island’s rehabilitation. Cimatu also chairs the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF).
Cimatu made the call as he ordered anew a crackdown on establishments that continue to operate without appropriate permits from the government.
“I once said that Boracay will never be a “cesspool” again, but we need all the support and cooperation of everybody to sustain the gains we have made from the massive rehabilitation we have done to the island. Let us continue to be guardians of the island and prevent it from sliding back,” Cimatu said.
On Tuesday, the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force (BIATF), through the local government of Malay, Aklan, has closed down 10 erring establishments, namely: Bella’s Bar and Restaurant, Old Captain Cuisine, Ken Minimart, Ken St., Island Staff Restaurant, Coco Spa, Kim Ji Man, W Hostel Boracay Dragon, VIP Souvenir Shop, and YH World Network Service, Inc.
Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Group General Manager Natividad Bernardino, who led the government team that served the closure orders, said the crackdown on the erring establishments was ordered by Cimatu amid reports that Chinese businesses have proliferated in the island, with business name signage and restaurant menu written only in Chinese characters, and catering exclusively to Chinese tourists.
It was also observed that there was an increasing number of Chinese and Korean nationals working as tour guides, restaurant chefs and staff, Bernardo said.
According to her, an ad hoc committee was created by the BIATF on April 25 to carry out the task of inspecting and looking into possible violations of these foreign-run businesses, including aliens staying and working in Boracay without valid work permits and visa.
The committee was composed of representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration, DENR and the local government of Malay, Aklan.
Bernardo said that from May 7 to May 9, the DILG-led Boracay Inspection Committee inspected a total of 49 establishments with foreign business name signage. Of these, 10 were found actively operating without mayor’s permits and another 14 had incomplete requirements from the LGU and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
The list of non-compliant foreign-run businesses was endorsed by DILG Undersecretary EpimacoDensing III to Malay Mayor Abram Sualog for the issuance of closure orders.
“We cannot allow flagrant violation by foreign nationals of our country’s laws and regulations, especially in the island which we have painstakingly rehabilitated,” said DILG Undersecretary EpimacoDensing III.
Island tourism statistics revealed that foreign visitors in Boracay have been dominated by Chinese and Korean nationals, representing 56% and 37% respectively, of the total number of foreign tourists from January to March of 2019. The rest came from the United States of America, Russia and United Kingdom. ###
Muling pinaalalahanan ni Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ang mga negosyante at residente sa Boracay na sundin ang mga ipinatutupad na batas at alituntunin ng gobyerno upang makumpleto ang isinasagawang rehabilitasyon ng isla.
Ang paalala na ito ni Cimatu, na siya ring namumuno sa Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) ay dahil narin sa pagpapasara sa mga establisiyamento na walang kaukulang permiso sa gobyerno.
“I once said that Boracay will never be a “cesspool” again, but we need all the support and cooperation of everybody to sustain the gains we have made from the massive rehabilitation we have done to the island. Let us continue to be guardians of the island and prevent it from sliding back,” ayon kay Cimatu.
Noong Martes nang ipasara ng BIATF sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa local na pamahalaan ng Malay, Aklan ang sampung pasaway na establisiyamento na kinabibilangan ng Bella’s Bar and Restaurant, Old Captain Cuisine, Ken Minimart, Ken St., Island Staff Restaurant, Coco Spa, Kim Ji Man, W Hostel Boracay Dragon, VIP Souvenir Shop at ang YH World Network Service, Inc.
Ayon kay Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Group General Manager Natividad Bernardino nanamuno sa grupo na nagbigay ng closure order, ang pagpapasara sa mga pasaway na establisiyamento ay base narin sa kautusan ni Cimatu kaugnay ng mga ulat na may mga Chinese business na nagkalat sa isla na ang karatula at menu ay nakasulat sa Chinese characters at nagbibigay lamang ng serbisyo sa mga Chinese tourists.
Aniya, kapansin-pansin din ang pagdami ng bilang ng mga Chinese at Korean nationals na nagtatrabaho bilang tour guides, restaurants chefs at staff.
Sinabi pa nito, binuo ng BIATF ang ad hoc committee noong Abril 25 na siyang mangangasiwa sa pagsasagawa ng inspeksiyon sa mga posibleng paglabag ng mga “foreign-run businesses” kabilang na ditto ang mga turista ng nananatili at nagtatrabaho sa isla ng walang kaukulang work permits at visa.
Binubuo ang komite ng mgarepresentante mula sa Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Immigration, (BI), DENR at ng local government ng Malay, Aklan.
Ayon pa kay Bernardino, noong Mayo 7 hanggang Mayo 9 nang magsagawa ng inspeksiyon ang Boracay Inspection Committee na pinangunahan ng DILG sa 49 na establisiyamento na mayroong “foreign business name signage” at sampu sa mga ito ang napatunayang nag-ooperate nang walang kaukulang mayors’ permit habang 14 naman sa mga ito ang hindi pa kumpleto ang mga kailangang dokumento mula sa LGU at Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Ibinigay na rin ni DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III kay Malay Mayor Abram Sualog ang listahan ng mga pasaway na establisiyamento para maisyuhan ang mga ito ng closure order.
“We cannot allow flagrant violation by foreign nationals of our country’s laws and regulations, especially in the island which we have painstakingly rehabilitated,” sabi pa ni DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.
Base sa island tourism statistics mula Enero hanggang Marso 2019, dominado ng mga Chinese at Korean nationals angmga foreign visitors sa Boracay na mayroong 56% at 37% ayon sa pagkakasunod habang ang natitirang porsiyento ay kinabibilangan naman ng mga turista na nagmula sa United States of America, Russia at United Kingdom. ###
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. ###
