Nakatakdang maglabas ng ulat ang Pilipinas tungkol sa kalagayan ng mercury pollution sa bansa at ang mga epekto nito sa kapaligiran at kalusugan ng mamamayan bilang paghahanda sa ratipikasyon at implementasyon ng Minamata Convention na layuning ipatigil ang paggamit ng nakalalasong kemikal.

Ang Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) report ay inihanda ng Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) nasuportado ng Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Pangungunahan ni DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ang paglulunsad ng MIA report at inaasahan na tatalakayin ditto ang “mercury management” sa Pilipinas. Gaganapin ito bukas (Marso 20, 2019) sa 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,” sabini Cimatu.

Kabilang sa mga dadalo sa okasyon ay sina DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones, EMB Director MetodioTurbella at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Program Director Shunichi Honda.

Ipiprisinta ni MIA consultant Ted Monroy ang MIA report habang magbibigay naman ng mensahe ang mga representante ng Department of Health at environmental non-government organization BAN Toxics.

Bilang bahagi ng Minamata Convention, nagsagawa ng pag-aaral ang Pilipinas upang maunawaan ang mga sumusunod: 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.

Ang mercury nakilalarin sa tawag na quicksilver ay isang nakalalasong kemikal na maaaring makaapekto sa utak, baga, bato at puso ng tao kung saan ay maaari nitong maapektuhan ang talino at pag-uugali.

Dahil sa kadahilan ang pangkalusugan at pangkapaligiran ay gumagawa ng mga paraan sa buong mundo upang bawasan ang paggamit ng mercury.

Noong 2013, kabilang ang Pilipinas sa 128 bansa na lumagda sa Minamata Convention na nagbibigay ng regulasyon sa paggamit at pangangalakal ng mercury. Bagama’t ang nabanggit na convention ay hindi pa ratipikado ng Pilipinas hanggang ngayon.

Dahil sa paglagda sa Minamanta Convention ay nagkaroon ng mga polisiya ang bansa sa paggamit ng mercury kabilang na ditto ang Republic Act 6969 o mas kilala sa tawag na Toxic Substances and Hazardous Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.

Nakapaloob sa RA6969 ang mga sumusunod: 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.

Noong 1997 nang maglabas ng Chemical Control Order ang DENR na nagbibigay ng regulasyon sa paggamit ng mercury at mercury compounds upang maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng epekto nito sa kapaligiran. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

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Published: 19 March 2019

Nakapagbukas na ng bagong tanggapanang Land Management Bureau (LMB) sa Quezon City matapos tupukin ng apoy ang dati nitong opisinasa Manila, halos sampung buwan na ang nakalilipas.

Ayon kay LMB Director Emelyne Talabis, handang-handa na ang kanilang ahensiya na muling makapagsilbi sa publiko tungkol sa usapin na may kaugnayan sa lupa sa kanilang bagong tanggapan sa Estuar Building na matatagpuan sa kahabaan ng Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

“We are now ready to process land applications, survey and dispose alienable and disposable lands in our new home,” sabi pa ni Talabis.

Matatagpuan din sa bagong gusal ing LMB ang mga opisina ng director, assistant director, bureau divisions, kabilang na ditto ang records and management, geodetic surveys, legal, land policy and planning at land management.

Magsisilbi ring opisina ng Center for Land Administration and Management (CLAMP), bids and awards committee at administrative support staff ang bagong gusali.

Samantala, nagpasalamat naman si Talabis sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) bureau directors dahil sa pagpayag ng mga ito na pansamantalang magkaroon ng opisina ang LMB sa kanilang tanggapan, kabilang sa mga ito ang Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Biodiversity Management Bureau at ang Environmental Management Bureau.

“We are grateful that they took us in right after the fire,” sabi pa ni Talabis at idinagdag pa nito na ang kanilang mga kliyente na nagkaroon ng transaksiyon sa mga nabanggit na tanggapan ay maaari nang dumiretso sa Estuar Building.

Noong Mayo 28, 2018 nang tupukin ng apoy ang LMB Building na matatagpuan sa Binondo, Manila. Nadamay din sa sunog ang mga katabi nitong gusali at establisiyamento kabilang na ditto ang National Archives Office.

Matapos ang sunog, tiniyak ni DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sa publiko na ang lahat ng land data at records para sa“land titling” ay buo at kumpleto.

Aniya, ang lahat ng records ng LMB office ay mayroong “digitized copies” sa DENR regional offices at sa provincial at community environment and natural resources offices.

Sinimulan na rin ng DENR ang malawakang implementasyon ng Land Administration Management System na isang paraan upang pagsamahin ang lahat ng land data at records sa bansa kabilang na ditto ang pagpo-proseso sa “land titling”.

Maaaring matawagan ang LMB office sa numerong 372-38-28 o kaya naman ay bisitahin ang kanilang website: lmb.gov.ph o sa kanilang email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..###

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Category: Press Releases

Published: 19 March 2019

The Land Management Bureau (LMB) has opened its new office in Quezon City nearly 10 months since its former headquarters in Manila was gutted by fire.

LBM Director EmelyneTalabis said the agency is now ready to serve the public for land related concerns in its new office located at Estuar Building along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

“We are now ready to process land applications, survey and dispose alienable and disposable lands in our new home,” Talabis said.

The new LMB office houses the Offices of the Director and Assistant Director, and all Bureau Divisions, including Records and Knowledge Management, Geodetic Surveys, Legal, Land Policy and Planning, and Land Management.

The Center for Land Administration and Management or CLAMP, as well as the Bureau’s Bids and Awards Committee and Administrative Support Staff also hold office in the building.

A staff Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the LMB recommends policies and programs for the efficient and effective administration, surveys, management and disposition of alienable and disposable lands of the public domain and other lands outside the responsibilities of other government agencies such as reclaimed areas and other areas needed for or are not being utilized for the purposes of which they have been established.

Talabis, meanwhile, thanked the DENR Bureau Directors who allowed LMB people to temporarily stay in their offices, such as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Biodiversity Management Bureau, and the Environmental Management Bureau.

“We are grateful that they took us in right after the fire,” said Talabis, adding that LMB clients who have transacted business in these offices can now proceed to Estuar Building.

On May 28, 2018, a 22-hour fire gutted the LMB building in Binondo, Manila. Adjacent buildings and establishments including the National Archives Office were also hit by the fire.

After the incident, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu immediately assured the public that all land data and records for land titling are intact.

He said the records stored in the LMB office have digitized copies in DENR regional offices and in the provincial and community environment and natural resources offices.

The DENR had started the full implementation of the Land Administration Management System, a computerized information system to consolidate all land data and records in the country to facilitate the land titling process.

The new LMB office can be reached by phone at 372-38-78; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through its website: lmb.gov.ph. ###

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Published: 19 March 2019

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu wants the leaders of barangays surrounding Manila Bay to serve as “elite special forces” in the ongoing effort to bring the heavily polluted bay back to its former glory.

“The barangay leaders and members who are here today could be considered special forces in this endeavor,” Cimatu said during Monday’s dialogue between officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and over 300 barangay captains in Metro Manila in connection with the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

Cimatu said the government is relying on these barangay leaders whose support and cooperation are vital in ensuring the success of the rehabilitation dubbed as “Battle for Manila Bay,” given their proximity to nine critical rivers that need to be cleaned as part of the restoration effort.

“As much as you are the ones nearest to the rivers or the battle areas, you are also the ones closest to the people who are possible enemies or violators,” Cimatu said. “Influence them to stop their bad practices of dumping garbage anywhere, and ask them to join you as volunteers in your cleaning campaign drive.”

The former military chief added: “Your mission is special. Kaya isa kayo sa mga elite forces ng Manila Bay rehabilitation. Consider yourselves as the first line of defense.”

The dialogue aimed to remind the barangay executives of their role in the rehabilitation effort, as well as their responsibility in cleaning up rivers that empty into Manila Bay.

It was attended by leaders of barangays surrounding the river systems of Pasig-Marikina-San Juan, Muntinlupa-Parañaque-Las Piñas-Zapote, and Malabon-Tullahan-Tenejeros, as well as barangay executives from Pasay City and Navotas.

Cimatu said barangay leaders should be “vigilant” regarding issues concerning the rivers within their areas of jurisdiction.

He noted that Manila Bay has become a “pollution hotspot” in southern part of East Asia, making it a “potential health hazard to our people, a threat to the nation’s food security, and a tremendous impact to the country’s biodiversity.”

Despite this, Cimatu believed the Manila Bay rehabilitation was not an impossible mission if everyone will take part in the undertaking. “We can restore back the once clean and beautiful bay if we all believe that we can do it.”

“We are not alone. We have the mandamus agencies and different stakeholders on our side: the national and local government agencies, the government and non-government institutions, and the civil society,” he added.

Last January 27, the DENR launched the three-phase “Battle for Manila Bay” project where over 10,000 people joined a massive cleanup activity on Roxas Boulevard in Manila and other parts of the Manilay Bay region.

More than a month since the launch, the DENR and its attached agency, Laguna Lake Development Authority, have already issued a total of 263 notices of violation and 119 cease and desist orders to establishments in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and the Calabarzon that have violated the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 and other pertinent environmental laws. ###

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Published: 18 March 2019

Nagbabalak si Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu na gawing “elite special forces” ang mga opisyal ng barangay na nakasasakop sa paligid ng Manila Bay upang makatulong sa pagpapanumbalik ng ganda at linis nito.

“The barangay leaders and members who are here today could be considered special forces in this endeavor,” pahayag ni Cimatu sa ginanap na dayalogo nitong Lunes sa mahigit 300 barangay captains ng Metro Manila na nakasasakop sa Manila Bay kaugnay ng isinasagawang rehabilitasyon.

Ayon kay Cimatu, umaasa ang gobyerno sa tulong at suporta mula sa mga opisyal ng barangay upang maging matagumpay ang isinisigawang rehabilitasyon na binansagang, “Battle for Manila Bay.”

Aniya, malapit ang mga ito sa siyam na kritikal na ilog na kinakailangan linisin bilang bahagi ng restorasyon ng nasabing look.

“As much as you are the ones nearest to the rivers or the battle areas, you are also the ones closest to the people who are possible enemies or violators,” sabi pa ni Cimatu. “Influence them to stop their bad practices of dumping garbage anywhere, and ask them to join you as volunteers in your cleaning campaign drive.”

Dagdag pa ng dating military chief: “Your mission is special, kaya isa kayo sa mga elite forces ng Manila Bay rehabilitation. Consider yourselves as the first line of defense.”

Layunin ng ginanap na dayalogo na ipaalala sa mga barangay executives ang kanilang tungkulin sa isinasagawang rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay, kasama na din ang paglilinis ng mga ilog na nagpapadumi dito.

Dumalo sa ginanap na dayalogo ang mga opisyal ng barangay na nakasasakop sa paligid ng mga ilog mula sa Pasig-Marikina-San Juan; Muntinlupa-Parañaque-Las Piñas-Zapote; Malabon-Tullahan-Tenejeros; Pasay City at Navotas.

Sinabi pa ni Cimatu, kinakailangang maging mapagmanman ang mga lider ng barangay tungkol sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan ng mga ilog sa kanilang mga nasasakupang lugar.

Ipinunto din ng kalihim na ang Manila Bay ay naging “pollution hotspot” sa katimugang bahagi ng East Asia. Dahil dito, posibleng ito ay maging banta sa kalusugan at “food security” ng taumbayan, at magkaroon ng epekto sa samu’t saring buhay ng bansa.

Sa kabila nito, naniniwala si Cimatu na hindi imposible ang misyon para sa rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay kung magtutulong-tulong ang lahat para dito. “We can restore back the once clean and beautiful bay if we all believe that we can do it,” sabi niya.

“We are not alone. We have the mandamus agencies and different stakeholders on our side: the national and local government agencies, the government and non-government institutions, and the civil society,” dagdag pa ng environment chief.

Matatandaan na noong Enero 27 inilunsad ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng DENR ang tatlong bahagi ng “Battle for Manila Bay,” na kung saan higit sa 10,000 katao ang nakibahagi sa cleanup activity sa Roxas Boulevard sa Manila at iba pang lugar na nakasasakop sa Manila Bay.

Matapos ang isang buwan mula nang nasabing paglulunsad, ang Laguna Lake Development Authority ay nakapag-isyu ng 263 notices of violation at 119 cease and desist orders sa mga establisimyento sa Metro Manila, Central Luzon at Calabarzon na napatunayang lumabag sa Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 at iba pang batas pangkalikasan. ###

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Parent Category: News & Events

Category: Press Releases

Published: 18 March 2019