The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is raising calls for greater water security for the country’s future needs, as it leads a weeklong activity to highlight the celebration of the 2019 World Water Day (WWD) on March 22 with focus on accessibility to clean water and sanitation as a basic human right.

This year’s WWD celebration will adopt the objective of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (ASD) which calls for concerted actions both on rich and poor countries to end poverty and tackle climate change while leaving no one behind.
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A series of activities have been lined up nationwide from March 15- 31 to raise awareness about the importance of water and sustainable development, highlighting the 6th of the 17 Sustainable Goals of the 2030 ASD which is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030.

The activities center around the local theme “Hawak-Kamay, Tubig-Kaagapay” in support of the 2019 WWD’s international theme “Leaving No One Behind” which forms the core of the 2030 ASD.

Topping the weeklong celebration is the holding of the World Water Day Awards on March 22 and the launching of “The Battle for Esteros” on March 31 which will be highlighted by the simultaneous massive cleanup of some 65 esteros and waterways within the National Capital Region.

At the forefront of the cleanup are concerned barangay executives and their constituents linking up with officials and employees of the DENR, including those of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism, who will be deployed for the cleanup.

The award-giving event will honor some 20 individuals, institutions, and programs that made strides in achieving water and environment sustainability in the Philippines. It is to take place at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Since 2015, a total of 54 “water champions” have been recognized which include leaders of indigenous peoples, community workers, media personalities, local government units and academe based organizations.

The following are the awards to be given out this year: KAVANTOG DO’T AWED (OvuManubo term for “Hero of the Water”); KaagapaysaTubigKanlungan; Kampeon ng Lawa; HuwarangLingkodTubig; Kampeon ng Katubigan; HuwarangLingkod; Planet-Wise Organization; Water Leadership Award; HuwarangAlagad ng Ilog Pasig; and Water Warrior Award for Advocacy Leadership and for Water Education.; and KaagapaysaTubigKanlungan.

Other activities lined up include launch of “Tubig Para saLahat”, a coffee table book and an exhibit at the DILG Central Office (March 18-22); Water Philippines 2019 Expo and Conference at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay (March 20-22); DPWH Cleanup and Hiking Activity in Mount Pulag National Park in Benguet (March 23-24) and 20-kilometer bike tour and cleanup “Padyak Para saKatubigan” from the DENR Central office in Quezon City to the Navotas Centennial Park in Navotas City.

The 2019 WWD kicked-off with Water Fair and SiningIpoSungka Tournament held in Taytay, Rizal last March 15.

Meanwhile, other activities already conducted in various parts of the country in consonance with WWD include the following: DILG and NWRB information and education campaign dubbed “Nangangalaga ng Water Resources ng Bansa in Lipa, Batangas on March 18;“PistasaTubig: Water and Green Enterprises Fair in Gen. Nakar, Quezon last March 19;Mangrove Planting and Cleanup in Kawit, Cavite and Pututan, Muntinlupa, March 16 and 19;“DaloyDunong + BuhayKyut” in Ramos, Tarlac and Baliuag, Bulacan; ARTIVISM at the DENR Central Office; Forum on “The Philippines Water Sector: Gaps and Opportunities at Joy Nastalg Hotel Manila in Pasig, March 20; and “National Water Summit at Novotel Manila Araneta Center Hotel in Quezon City, March 21. ###

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Published: 21 March 2019

Pinalakas ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang kanilang panawagan para sa “water security” upang may magamit sa hinaharap kasabay ng mahabang pagdiriwang para sa selebrasyon ng 2019 World Water Day (WWD) nitong Biyernes (Marso 22).

Ang selebrasyon ng WWD ngayong taon ay layuning maipatupad ang 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (ASD) na nananawagan para sa sama-samang pagkilos ng lahat ng bansa na wakasan na ang kahirapan at lutasin ang problema sa climate change nang walang maiiwan sa hulihan.

Iba’t-ibang aktibidad ang gagawin na sinimulan noong Marso 15 hanggang 31 na layuning mapataas ang kamalayan sa importansiya ng tubig at mapaunlad ito, matutukan ang 6th sa 17 Sustainable Goals ng 2030 ASD upang matiyak na mapangalagaan ang tubig para sa lahat pagdating ng 2030.

Nakasentro ang mga aktibidad sa temang “Hawak-Kamay, Tubig-Kaagapay” bilang suporta sa 2019 WWD’s international theme na “Leaving No One Behind” na bubuo sa nilalaman ng 2030 ASD.

Kabilang sa mga aktibidad ay ang World Water Day Awards nitong Biyernes (Marso 22) at ang paglulunsad ng “The Battle for Esteros” na gaganapin sa Marso 31 kung saan ay sabay-sabay na lilinisin ang 65 esteros at waterways sa National Capital Region (NCR).

Pasisimulan ng mga concerned barangay executives at mga residente ang gaganaping cleanup kasama ng mga opisyal at empleyado ng DENR, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Department of Tourism (DOT) na ipakakalat para sa cleanup.

Ang award-giving event ay kumikilala sa 20 indibidwal, institusyon at programa na gumawa ng hakbang upang maging kapaki-pakinabang ang tubig sa Pilipinas na gaganapin sa Novotel Manila, Araneta Center sa Quezon City.

Simula noong 2015 ay umabot na sa 54 “water champions” ang kinilala kabilang na dito ang mga pinuno ng indigenous peoples, community workers, media personalities, local government units at academe based organizations.

Kabilang sa mga ipagkakaloob na award ngayong taon ay ang: KAVANTOG DO’T AWED ( Ovu Manubo term for “Hero of the Water”); Kaagapay sa Tubig Kanlungan; Kampeon ng Lawa; Huwarang Lingkod Tubig; Kampeon ng Katubigan; Huwarang Lingkod; Planet-Wise Organization; Water Leadership Award; Huwarang Alagad ng Ilog Pasig; Water Warrior Award for Advocacy Leadership at ang Kaagapay sa Tubig Kanlungan.

Ilan pa sa mga aktibidad para sa WWD 2019 ay ang Tubig Para sa Lahat (coffee table book and an exhibit at the DILG Central Office; Marso 18-22); Water Philippines 2019 Expo and Conference sa SMX Convention Center sa Pasay; March 20-22; DPWH Cleanup and Hiking Activity sa Mount Pulag National Park sa Benguet; Marso 23-24 at ang 20-kilometer bike tour and cleanup “Padyak Para sa Katubigan” na magmumula sa DENR Central Office sa Quezon City at magtatapos sa Navotas Centennial Park sa Navotas City. ###

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Published: 21 March 2019

The government’s inter-agency task force on Tuesday destroyed a Boracay resort which failed to heed orders to self-demolish for violating the 30-meter easement rule, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The DENR-led Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) carried out the demolition work of structures belonging to Boracay Plaza Beach Resort after the final 15-day ultimatum given to establishments encroaching on the shoreline easement zone had expired.

All other establishments responded positively to the ultimatum issued by BIATF, except for Boracay Plaza, which is owned by a certain Anita Aguirre. The resort has structures built on approximately 1,000 square meters of land within the easement zone.

BIATF chair and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu announced the ultimatum during the meeting of the task force held on February 28.

“Erring establishments had already been given more than enough time to shape up since the closure,” Cimatu said.

“It would be unfair to those who voluntarily demolished and complied with the easement rule if we will not enforce the law to those who did not,” he added.

Aside from violating the easement rule, Boracay Plaza was also found to be operating without the required permits.

Boracay Plaza had been issued three orders to vacate and self-demolish its structure since April 26 last year when the island was ordered closed for six months to pave the way for much-needed rehabilitation. The owner defied all three orders.

The demolition team was supervised by BIATF management group manager and DENR Director NatividadBernadino, Aklan provincial police chief Senior Supt. Lope Manlapaz, Malay Acting Mayor Abram Sualog, representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism, and DENR lawyers.

Bernardino reported that nine other establishments that had been given the same 15-day ultimatum on March 4 had already either partially or completely demolished their structures.

These were the Blue Lilly Hotel, Calveston International Inc., Exclusive Dawn VIP Boracay Resort, Little Prairie Inn, New Wave Divers, Steve's Cliff/Boracay Terraces Resort, True Homes, Watercolors Dive shop, and Willy's Rock Resort.

All 10 establishments, including Boracay Plaza, were the last remaining structures along the White Beach to be demolished, making the area fully compliant to the 30-meter beach easement law. ###

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Published: 20 March 2019

Binuwag ng isang inter-agency task force ng gobyerno nitong Martes ang pasaway na establisimyento sa Boracay na nabigong gibain ang kanilang ari-arian na lumabag sa 30-meter easement rule, ayon sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Hindi na nagdalawang-isip pa ang Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) na pinamumunuan ng DENR na gibain ang establisimyento ng Boracay Plaza Beach Resort matapos magbigay ng 15 araw na palugit. Ang naturang resort ay may mga istrakturang nakatayo sa mahigit-kumulang1,000 square meter na nakapaloob sa easement zone.

Maliban sa Boracay Plaza napag-aari ng isang nagngangalang Anita Aguirre ay sumunod naman sa ibinigay na palugit ang ibang establismyento at kusang giniba ang kani-kanilang mga istraktura matapos mabigyan rin ng “warning” ng BIATF dahil narin sa kanilang paglabag.

Ang ibinigay na “ultimatum” ay binanggit ni DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sa ginanap na pulong ng task force nitong nakalipas na Pebrero 28.

“Erring establishments had already been given more than enough time to shape up since the closure,” anang Cimatu.

“It would be unfair to those who voluntarily demolished and complied with the easement rule if we will not enforce the law to those who did not,” dagdag pa nito.

Bukod sa paglabag sa ipinatutupad na “easement rule”, napatunayan din na walang kaukulang permiso ang Boracay Plaza para makapag-operate.

Tatlong beses na ring nabigyan ng kautusan ang Boracay Plaza na kusang i-demolish ang establismyento ngunit binalewala lamang ito ng may-ari. Ang una ay noong Abril 26 ng nakalipas na taon nang pansamantalang isinara ang Isla ng Boracay ng anim na buwan para sa rehabilitasyon.

Ang ginawang demolisyon ay pinangunahan nina BIATF management group General Manager at DENR Director Natividad Bernardino, kasama sina Aklan provincial police chief Senior Supt. Lope Manlapaz, Malay Acting Mayor Abram Sualog, mga kinatawan ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Department of Tourism (DOT), at mga abugado ng DENR.

Iniulat ni Bernardino na siyam na iba pang establisimyento na nabigyan ng 15-day ultimatum noong March 4 ang kusang nag-demolish ng kanilang istraktura habang ang iba ay nagsisimula na ring gibain nang kusa ang kanilang ari-arian.

Ang naturang siyam ay ang Blue Lilly Hotel, Calveston International Inc., Exclusive Dawn VIP Boracay Resort, Little Prairie Inn, New Wave Divers, Steve’s Cliff/Boracay Terraces Resort, True Homes, Watercolors Dive Shop at Willy’s Rock Resort.

Ang sampung establismyento kabilang ang Boracay Plaza ang mga natitirang istraktura sa tinatawag na “White Beach” na kailangang gibain upang tuluyang maipatupad ang 30-meter beach easement law. ###

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Published: 20 March 2019

The Philippines is set to release its report on the status of mercury pollution in the country and its hazards to the environment and public health in preparation for its ratification and implementation of the Minamata Convention, the world’s first legally binding treaty to phase out the highly toxic substance.

The country’s Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) report was prepared by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under a project financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu will lead the event marking the completion and launch of the MIA report, which is expected to set the tone for national discussions on mercury management in the Philippines. The event will be held tomorrow (March 20, 2019) in Pasig City.

“This report will enable us to determine the national requirements and needs for the ratification of the Minamata Convention and define national priorities for implementation of the treaty,” Cimatu said.

Also attending the event are DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones, EMB Director MetodioTurbella and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Program Director Shunichi Honda.

MIA consultant Ted Monroy will present the Philippine MIA Report, while representatives of the Department of Health and environmental non-government organization BAN Toxics will deliver messages.

Being a party to the Minamata Convention, the Philippines undertook the assessment to understand the existing institutional and legal frameworks on mercury management, sources of mercury management, sources of mercury releases, the gaps that need to be filled, and actions required to ensure an effective implementation of the convention.

Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is highly toxic metallic substance that can damage the brain, lungs, kidneys and heart; and can cause irreversible neurological damage that can lead to decreased intelligence and increased violent behavior.

For health and environmental reasons, global efforts are being made to reduce the use and release of mercury.

In 2013, the Philippines was one of the 128 countries that signed the Minamata Convention, which regulates the use and trade of mercury, a highly toxic substance that poses threats to human health and the environment.

The convention is named after the Japanese city where industrial emissions of the toxic substance caused a poisoning disease affecting thousands of people in the 1950s.

The Philippines has yet to ratify the convention, which entered into force in August 2017.

Once ratified, the Philippines can access technical and financial support from multilateral funds for the implementation of the convention and the management of mercury use and waste in the country.

Prior to signing the Minamata Convention, the country had already put in place regulatory policies against mercury, including Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.

RA 6969 mandates the control and regulation of the import, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, transport, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risks and/or injury to health and the environment, among others.

In 1997, the DENR issued a Chemical Control Order to regulate the use of mercury and mercury compounds and their dispersion into the environment to avoid its adverse effects. The directive provides specific requirements for the management of mercury and mercury-containing wastes. ###

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Published: 19 March 2019