1pcl Tabloid Oct Issue

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DENR BACKS 1PCL’S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA KLIMA FERRER TO LOCAL

Because of Climate Change

THE GRIM truths about climate change bared (P A GE 5) (PA

BRIZUELA sees need for better barangay disaster response plans (P A GE 2) (PA

TEODORO says LGUs need more support (P AGE 6) (PA

BERDE

NO. 1 VOL. 1 SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

COUNCILS: REVISE URBAN PLANNING GUIDELINES

PINSALA NI ONDOY EPEKTO NG CLIMATE CHANGE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE 1ST PRO-ACTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERS, INC.

QUEZON City First District Councilor Victor ‘ Jun’ Ferrer, Jr. has urged local councils nationwide to revise their (PAGE 2)

LUPIT NI ONDOY: Halos 80 porsiyento ng Metro Manila at ng mga karatig-lalawigan ang lumubog sa tubig-baha na idinulot ng Bagyong Ondoy at nag-resulta sa pagkamatay ng mahigit 240 katao at pagkawala ng tahanan ng mahigit 500,000 mga residente.

COELI FIEL

ANG MALAWAKANG pinsala sa Metro Manila at 25 lalawigan na idinulot ng Bagyong Ondoy noong nakaraang linggo ay epekto ng Climate Change. (PAHINA 6)

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FERRER TO LOCAL COUNCILS: REVISE URBAN PLANNING GUIDELINES Because of Climate Change From Page 1 urban planning guidelines to meet the mitigation and adaptation measures required against climate change. Ferrer, who is also national president of

the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL), said government leaders should learn valuable lessons from the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy in order to prevent a “repeat of the deaths and destruction suffered by thou-

NEWS PEEK

CEBU DONATES P10M TO ‘ONDOY’ VICTIMS IN M. MANILA, LUZON

CEBU CITY - The provincial government of Cebu has donated more than P10 million in cash to victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the donation was based on a typhoon damage assessment of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on affected areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila. Garcia added that Cebu’s business sector and media outlets have also set-up drop off points to receive donations for ‘Ondoy’ victims. She said the cash assistance was taken from the province’s calamity funds. She explained that the province directly released the financial help to local government executives in affected areas so they will be able to use the funds where they are needed most.

PAG-ASA SEES TWO MORE TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS NEAR RP TWO MORE tropical depressions threaten to enter the country this week. According to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecaster Connie Dadivas, the two weather disturbances are likely to enter Philippine territory before the weekend. “May dalawang tropical depressions sa labas ng Philippine area of responsibility. Ineexpect natin na papasok (ang mga ito) sa bansa,” Dadivas said. Dadivas, however, did not say if the two tropical depressions will develop into typhoons that are as strong as Typhoon Ondoy.

DISEASES THREATEN ‘ONDOY’ SURVIVORS; DOH HELP SOUGHT THOUSANDS may have survived Typhoon Ondoy, but the threat of diseases now hounds evacuation areas in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. This developed as survivors urged officials of the Department of Health (DOH) to institute safeguards to protect the health of children and the elderly who are more susceptible to diseases such as tetanus toxoid, diarrhea and pulmonary ailments. They also asked government hospitals to establish health monitoring units in evacuation centers with medicines and equipment.

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sands of Filipinos in Metro Manila and about 25 provinces.” “Let us revisit existing urban planning guidelines to identify the provisions that need to be revised in order to better protect our constituents from the crippling effects of natural calamities induced by climate change. “We must prevent a repeat of the deaths and destruction suffered by thousands of Filipinos in Metro Manila and about 25 provinces. We must take into account the mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change in order to make urban planning guidelines more responsive and pro-active to the needs of the people,” Ferrer said. Ferrer explained there is a need to revisit residential zoning and land use guidelines to come up with infrastructure that would better protect those living near rivers, esteros and other bodies of water as well as hillsides and mountainsides. He said the construction of largescale dikes, seawalls, additional flood gates and pumping stations, flash flood and landslide concrete gullies and other

similar projects, such as those being undertaken in the United Kingdom and other European countries should be studied by urban planners in local government units to determine if these could be funded and undertaken at the soonest time possible. Ferrer said local planners may also coordinate efforts with national agencies, foreign aid groups, local environmental experts and non-government organizations (NGOs). (GDS)

ONDOY’S FURY -- A satellite photo shows the area covered by Typhoon Ondoy over the entire country at the height of its fury last week, leaving 246 dead and thousands homeless.

DENR BACKS 1PCL’s LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza has supported the proposed enactment of an Environmental Code to correct identified deficiencies in the country’s existing patchwork legislation on environmental issues. Atienza met with officials of the 1st ProActive on Climate Change Leaders (1PCL) during the recently-concluded International Conference on Green Indus-

try in Asia. The conference was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where Atienza said 1PCL’s proposal for an Environmental Code would speed up the “greening” of Philippine industries to make them environment-friendly. 1PCL SecretaryGeneral lawyer Coeli Fiel told Atienza during the meeting that the proposed Code would amend local government licensing requirements for new

BRIZUELA SEES NEED FOR BETTER BARANGA Y BARANGAY DISASTER RESPONSE PLANS LUCENA City councilor Benito Brizuela called on the country’s governors and mayors to establish better barangaylevel disaster response programs to enable faster rescue and better relief operations during natural and man-

made calamities. Brizuela said barangay officials could immediately alert provincial, city or municipal disaster coordinating councils or police units of “unfolding perils, such as the sudden rise of floodwaters or other dangers to life and prop-

erty if barangay officials and personnel are better trained and better equipped to handle these tasks.” Brizuela explained that if disaster response assets and resources are already placed in the custody of barangay officials, then provincial, city or

or renewal businesses to ensure their immediate compliance with environmental laws and regulations. “By requiring new or renewal businesses to grow trees as a prerequisite for the issuance of an environmental permit prior to the release of a mayor’s permit, these businesses would tangibly contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation measures,” Fiel said. Atienza explained that 1PCL’s additional proposal to amend

the National Building Code (NBC) by including pro-environment requirements for the issuance of building or renovation permits would encourage the construction of, or the shift to, less energydependent “green” dwellings and buildings. 1PCL environmental consultant Jenz Krishna Rivera said “green buildings” reduce the energy needs for lighting and airconditioning by incorporating innovative designs for (PAGE 6)

LONE RESCUER -- A young boy clings tightly to his unidentified rescuer as he braved rising floodwaters at the height of Typhoon Ondoy’s onslaught last week. Victims complained of slow disaster response measures leading to loss of lives and destruction of homes. municipal disaster officials could more easily deploy them at any time.

“The private sector could also help in these matters,” Brizuela said. (GDS)

10/2/2009 11:08:56 AM

THE GREEN VOTE

MR. PCL

VICTOR V. FERRER, JR.

LAST week, a group of citizens, led by a colleague in the city council, sent a letter to the Commission on Elections seeking clarification about the alleged proliferation of ad materials by certain public figures urging the people to register and vote. Their group inquired whether or not these propaganda materials are in the nature of premature

EDITORYAL

TAYONG LAHAT ANG MAY KASALANAN

NAGSIMULA na ang pagsisisihan at pagtuturuan sa trahedyang nagresulta mula sa malawakang pagbaha sa Kalakhang Maynila at sa mga kanugnog-pook nito sa Luzon dahil sa pananalasa ng Bagyong Ondoy noong nakaraang linggo. Maging ang Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) ay sinisi dahil hindi nito umano nasukat ng maaga ang dami ng tubig na dala ng bagyo. Ani ng mga kritiko, naabisuhan sana ang taumbayan na magbabaha ng malawakan sanhi ng bagyo. Sinisi din ang mga alkalde at mga kapitan ng barangay na naging mabagal di-umano sa maagap na pagsaklolo at pagtulong sa mga nasalanta sa kanilang nasasakupan. Sa totoo lang, lahat (PAGE 7) KLIMA

BERDE WILSON C. VINOYA Publisher

GERRY D. SAUDI Editor-in-Chief

WILFRIDO M.R. CARANDANG JOSEPH Z. RONCAL TINA B. BUENDIA AL DELA CRUZ Reporters

KLIMA BERDE is the Official Monthly Newspaper of the 1st PRO-ACTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERS, Inc. (1PCL) with Editorial and Advertising Offices at 11B K-2ND Street, Ba-rangay Kamuning, Quezon City with Telefax No. (02) 411-4336, Telephone No. (02) 494-4870, Mobile and Text Hotline No. at (0917) 204-2753 Website: www.pcl.com.ph, eMail address: [email protected]. KLIMA BERDE is circulated For Free (Gratis) nationwide.

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campaigning and, hence, are illegal. I am not wont to pass judgment on anyone involved in this issue, although as a councilor now on my last term, I am now impervious to these allegations of premature campaigning. I, however, feel for my colleagues implicated in this controversy. Members of both opposing camps are

MAIL

my friends. Also, I am not about to discuss the legalities involved -- that is the function of our lawyers. However, the matter of some prospective candidates engaging in a rampant and unrestricted dissemination of posters, tarpaulins and oversized billboards affects me personally as an advocate for the environment. Some politicians even capitalize on environmental issues, which is now fashion-

CALL

able to talk about especially in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy. Sad to say, politicians capitalizing on these issues espouse motherhood statements about the environment in their plastic tarpaulins and flyers made of virgin pulp. What a pity! Tarpaulins and posters made of plastic are anathema to our ecosystem. As national president of the Philippine

MAIL

CALL

RESCUERS INIREKLAMO NG OFW SA DUBAI

Dear Mr. Editor: MAY reklamo po ako laban sa mga rescuer sa amin sa San Juan. Di man lang nila ini-rescue yung papa ko kahit nakita nila na stroke patient sya. Bakit ganun, sir, pinabayaan nila yung family ko dun sa bahay. What if nagtuloy-tuloy yung ulan? Anu na mangyayari sa kanila. Dapat nga priority yung papa ko kasi disabled, di po ba? Sir pwede nyo po ba pagpaliwana-

gin ang barangay chairman sa amin? Pati po mga rescuers? Ang address po namin ay sa A.Luna street sa San Juan, Metro Manila. Naiyak nga po ako nung malaman ko na ginanun ang papa ko. Wala po ako magawa. May sakit pa po ang papa ko. Sana po matulungan niyo siya. Gema M. Ancheta Insurance Coordinator Gulf Speciality Hospital Dubai, United Arab Emirates

LEGALLY GREEN

ATTY. COELI C. FIEL

LAST week’s deluge, brought about by Typhoon Ondoy, that battered the homes and streets of Metro Manila and claimed many lives, really affected me. It was the worst flooding that ever occurred in Metro Manila in 30 or so years. So much devastation happened, even rescue efforts seemed to be paralyzed by the overwhelming number of people that were stranded by the floods. In Pasig City, a good friend of mine and her children were

COST-EFFECTIVE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION MEASURES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE - PART 1

left stranded by an eight-foot deep water for more than 24 hours without food and water. In Quezon City, my computer technician relates that when the waters subsided in their house, they saw a lifeless old lady still hanging on to a rope intended for people to use for climbing to a higher level. These scenarios brought me back to the deadly flood that devastated my home city, Ormoc, in 1991. The old feeling was suddenly revived. The calamity last

week was the worst that I have ever experienced since the Ormoc flood that it made me think of no other cause except Climate Change. To some people, the term is still alien to their vocabulary, while others who have heard about it remain distant and nonchalant, thinking that it will not happen in this generation. Therein lies the (PAGE 6)

Councilor’s League, I have been travelling to different parts of the country to advocate about climate change, its causes and effects. An integral part of my lecture covers the use of plastic as adverse to our advocacy. In this regard, I have urged my fellow councilors all over the Philippines to use recyclable tarpaulins or, better yet, to revert to the traditional streamers made of coco fiber.

It is cheaper and ecologically friendly. I have also advocated the use of jute sacks, which is made of abaca, in advocacy posters, whether they are for political or purely civic purposes. Flyers, obviously, should be printed on recycled paper. To be more economical, print them on the clean side of your scratch papers. It is thus time for us to be fashionable, not only (PAGE 6)

YANO FILES ADRIANO V. GOLINGAN III

LANDFILL WOES - 1 AFTER 14 years of studies in the United States, I came back more than a year ago to stay for good in our beloved country. I studied environmental engineering because images of pristine, world-famous beaches being spoiled by garbage and tainted by the stench of human waste had haunted my numerous boyhood excursions with my father. You would think that after 14 years, someone would have already done something to alleviate, if not solve, this decades-old problem. But, ‘lo and behold, I found out when I got back that garbage still stinks in our country. Garbage is still everywhere, even in the halls of power! Worse, lawsuits have threatened to further stymie efforts to put sense and reason to our approach to environmental rescue and rehabilitation. Pardon my French, misguided lawyers even tried to make a killing from our dying environment! But now Typhoon Ondoy has struck us with devastating consequences. Its rainfed floods have drowned out all second-thoughts about solving our environmental problems NOW. The rains even washed away the mud of distrust and apathy that have kept our government from seeing and believing what world experts have been showing us all this time -the death and destruction posed by climate change.None of the Doubting Thomases are now smirking. They have not only seen the signs but some of them have even suffered the fury of our ailing Mother Nature. (PAGE 6)

ENVIRONMENTAL FUN TRIVIA

DID YOU KNOW? Clouds are composed of either small droplets of water or tiny pieces of ice, or sometimes both. Clouds are ranked by meteorologists according to how high they are and whether they are fluffy or flat. (Source: funtrivia.com)

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EXPERTS SAY ‘ONDOY’ WORST DELUGE IN 40 YEARS TINA BUENDIA

ENVIRONMENTAL experts yesterday said Typhoon Ondoy is the worst deluge in the country in 40 years. “We can’t just blame this on the rain. We know this is the worst deluge in 40 years. We know there is climate change happening, there is no debate about that,” Greenpeace campaigner Mark Dia said in a television interview. The intensity of ‘Ondoy’ (international codename: Ketsana) alarmed even experts who said an annual average of 20 typhoons devastate regional areas of the country at a time. “This time is different. Metro Manila and more than 25 provinces nationwide were affected,” they said

More rain fell on Manila and surrounding regions in nine hours in one day than the amount of rainfall of Hurricane “Katrina” on New Orleans in 2005. The flooding engulfed 80 percent of the metropolis with 12 million residents, including gated middle-

class subdivisions which had never seen flooding in the past. Civil defense chief and Press undersecretary Anthony Golez and chief weather forecaster Prisco Nilo said they were puzzled by strange changes in the behavior of the typhoons over the past two

years. In early 2007, three typhoons hit the country, with an unusual one in February triggering a landslide that killed 250 people in Southern Leyte province, Golez said. The typhoons also deviated from their traditional paths during the month of June,

traversing the northern and central parts of Luzon for the first time. Jose Bersales, humanitarian and emergency affairs director at charity World Vision, warned that Typhoon Ondoy was likely a taste of more doom for the world’s poorest, who often are

the least prepared for natural calamities. World Vision also quoted recent forecasts by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that tropical storms would become more intense, have stronger peak wind speeds and heavier precipitation.

ASIAN MINISTERS PUSH MANILA DECLARATION ON GREEN INDUSTRY ASIAN trade and environment ministers are pushing for the full implementation of the Manila Declaration on Resource Efficient and Green Industry. The declaration, which was signed and adopted during the recently-concluded International Con-

ference on Green Industry in Asia (ICGIA), established a clear framework for better Asian cooperation to encourage industries to adopt low-carbon business systems and operations. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza said the Philippines is

already implementing the declaration as he lauded the support and cooperation extended by the ministers, saying that the Manila Declaration is Asia’s first unified sustainable development initiative and outlines efforts among different sectors. The conference

was jointly organized by the Philippine Government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Atienza said the declaration may be labeled as the successor of the Kyoto and Montreal Protocols which committed countries to mitigate production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well as ozone-depleting substances. Montreal Protocol addresses the phasing out of ozone-depleting chemicals

while the Kyoto Protocol implements firmer sanctions for the emission of GHGs into the atmosphere. All these seek to minimize the effects of climate change. “Today, there is a need to go beyond GHGs. In September 2000, the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the most comprehensive framework for collective action was enacted. “World leaders pledged to eliminate abject and dehumanizing poverty. MDG No. 7 aims to ensure environmental protection. It emphasizes that sustainable development is key to securing future resources,” Atienza said.

PAG-ASA TO GET NEW WEATHER EQUIPMENT

THE Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will get new weather forecasting equipment to boost the government’s advanced typhoon warning systems. PAGASA said it will get from Taiwan 15 automatic weather stations worth P13.5 million to allow it to access on-time weather data. PAGASA will also install new weather stations to replace obsolete systems in Aparri, Cagayan; Virac, Catanduanes and Guiuan, Eastern Samar, including a new Doppler radar with a 200-kilometer range to detect strong winds, wind velocity and amount of rainfall.

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DENR CRACKS WHIP VS ERRING FASTFOOD OUTLETS WILLY CARANDANG FASTFOOD stores and restaurants that fail to secure an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) will be padlocked, regardless of who owns them. This warning was made by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza as he stressed that even big business fastfood chains will not be exempt from the enforcement of the ECC requirement. Atienza was reacting to reports that some fastfood restaurants started operations even without ECCs. Atienza explained that the requirement aims to effectively address concerns over water pollution generated by the quick service or fast food industry which reached substantial growth especially in urban areas. “These companies generate considerable amount of wastewater which, if left untreated, will definitely add to the unhealthy state of our water bodies,” he said. Atienza said fastfood outlets must submit an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) checklist to the nearest Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regional office, or the EMB Central Office if the project is covered by the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).

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THE GRIM TRUTHS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE (This article is based on a presentation of Dr. Samuel Martin on Climate Change. Dr. Martin is a consultant of the Department of Interior and Local Governments) (PART 1) The term climate change has been used extensively for many years now by governments, local and international environmental experts and the academe. Sadly, only the ravages of Typhoon Ondoy have made more Filipinos aware of its reality and grim consequences. This article attempts to provide a short narration of climate change to allow greater awareness in order to induce public support for, and responsive action on, its mitigation and adaptation measures. Climate change is the long-term, significant change in the climate of an area or of the earth, usually seen as resulting from human activity. Evidences of climate change are everywhere: snow and ice are melting in the polar ice caps, frozen grounds are thawing, hydrological and biological systems are changing, animal migrations are st1arting earlier, melting glaciers threaten mountain settlements and

water resources, and coastal flooding is increasing. Climate change has two related concepts, namely, global warming and the green house effect.

Both refer to the trapping of the sun’s warmth in a planet’s lower atmosphere due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planet’s surface. It is the abnormal levels of greenhouse gasses that cause harmful effects to the planet. Greenhouse gasses include carbon Dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluoro carbons, (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). The emission of carbon dioxide results from the burning of fossil fuels, oil, coal and natural gas for energy, industry, and transportation.

Methane gas is emitted by landfills and livestock farming.

Nitrous oxide is emitted by agricultural fertilizers and the burning of fossil fuels. Hydro fluorocarbons come from refrigeration, air conditioning, solvents and aerosol propellants.

Perfluoro carbons are by-products of aluminum smelting, semi-conductor manufacturing and even substitutes for ozonedepleting chemicals. Sulphur hexafluoride comes from the burning of car tires during New Year ’s eve, electrical insulation and the magnesium industry.

Almost all of the sources of these gas-

ses are big business interest groups worldwide. Because of these gas emissions, climate change is now taking place. The recent onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy is a tangible effect of climate change. The changing patterns of typhoon paths, their increase in intensity and frequency are also evidences that climate change is upon us. Experts have issued global projections of future climatic changes. They have known about these and have consistently warned governments of their grim consequences.

Because of this, 184 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol in order to attain an international commitment to gradually reduce green house gas emissions.

of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS per capita (tons)

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The major feature

These amount to an average of five per cent reduction against 1990 levels over the five-year period from 2008 to 2012. The major distinction between the Pro-

tocol and the Convention is that while the Convention encouraged industrialised countries to stabilize GHG emissions, the Protocol commits them to do so. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 11, 1997 and entered into force on February 16, 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted in 2001 at COP-7 in Marrakesh and are called the “Marrakesh Accords.” But even if the Philippines stops emitting carbon dioxide, there will be little effect on global warming. It will take decades to reverse it. We should reduce emissions for its other benefits: cleaner air, and less oil dependence. (TO BE CONTINUED)

TITO BENNY’S ADS

THE GREEN HOUSE GAS EFFECT

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PINSALA .... Mula sa Pahina 1 Ayon kay Dr. Samuel Martin, isang propesor sa University of of the Philippines (UP) sa Los Banos, Laguna, maliwanag na nadarama na ng ating bansa ang epekto ng Climate Change. Si Martin ay isang eksperto mula sa bansang India na nagtapos ng kanyang doctoral studies o pagka-dalubhasa sa araling pang-kapaligiran mula sa UP Diliman. Mahigit 10 taon na siyang naninirahan sa Pilipinas. Sinabi ni Martin na nagsimula ang pagbabago sa klima ng mundo noong dekada 50 nang dumami ang mga pabrika at sasakyan na gumagamit ng fossil fuels o panggatong na minimina sa ilalim ng lupa. “Sa loob ng mahigit 50 taon, naipon sa atmospera ang usok dahil nabawasan din ang bilang ng mga puno na sumisipsip sa mga usok na tinaguriang greenhouse gasses. Ang walang habas na pagputol ng mga puno at pagsira sa kagubatan ang nagdagdag sa problema ng climate change,” paliwanag ni Martin. Dahil dito, sinabi ni Martin na simula sa taong 2015, mararanasan na ng bansa ang mas matindi pang epekto ng climate change. Magmula, aniya, noong taong 2004, nadagdagan ng 12 ang bilang ng mga bagyo na nananalasa sa Pilipinas, mula 27 noong 2000 hanggang 2003. “Kailangang dagdagan ang pagtatanim ng mga puno. Kailangang ihinto ang paggamit sa fossil fuels at palitan ng ethanol at biodiesel. Kailangan na tayong kumilos ngayon,” dagdag-pakiusap ni Martin. LEGALLY GREEN.... From Page 3 misconception. The Philippines, in particular, will be one of the first to be affected by the effects of climate change. As a mainly agricultural country, we are in the front line of climate change’s worst effects. Last month, in Quezon City and Iloilo, tornadoes ripped through some areas, leaving a trail of destruction and alarming death toll. Millions of pesos in property, crops and infrastructure were destroyed. A few months ago, in Bulacan, some rice fields were flooded and remain as such to this day that the farmers have no choice but to try to convert their source of livelihood into fish ponds, but could not do so due to financial constraints. The Government can only provide so

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much assistance. The Tubattaha Reef, off the coast of Sulu, which is home of some 379 species of fish and 500 species of corals, seagrass, coral beds and two coral islands, is starting to deteriorate. Typhoons not only destroy this wondrous habitat, but the warming of the waters have caused coral bleaching. My organization, the First Pro-active on Climate Change Leaders (1PCL), has been running an awareness campaign about climate change and its effects. We conduct lectures and seminars in schools and communities in Metro Manila for this purpose. We also work hand-inhand with the government in bringing to the fore the need for resource efficiency industries which re-

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

TEODORO SAYS LGUS NEED MORE SUPPORT WILLY CARANDANG

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. has pledged more support to local government units (LGUs) as part of the government’s enhanced disaster preparedness program. Teodoro said the onslaught of Typhoon

Ondoy has shown the need to equip local executives with both equipment and technical support to enable them to more effectively respond to natural calamities. Teodoro was reacting to numerous complaints that local officials were “slow” in responding to calls for help as floodwaters

DENR BACKS ... From Page 1

devastated the homes and livelihood of thousands of residents in Metro Manila and several provinces. Even Press Undersecretary Anthony Golez has admitted that government efforts and resources were “overwhelmed” as more than 80 percent of Metro Manila was inundated and

more than 25 provinces suffered severe typhoon damage. Teodoro chairs the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) which monitors rescue and relief operations during calamities. Teodoro also said a review of disaster response measures would be conducted.

MR. PCL ... From Page 3

natural lighting and ventilation or air circulation of structures. Rivera said “green buildings” also help cut the emission of harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that deplete the ozone layer and which contribute to climate change. “PCL’s proposals would dovetail climate change adaptation

and mitigation efforts of the DENR and lessen the country’s carbon dependence,” Fiel stressed. PCL is a non-government organization of Filipino professionals that pushes for a pro-environment legislative agenda to achieve sustainable climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

in words but in our own actions. Now that premature campaigning is the issue, I urge people to value the sanctity of their ballots in the coming elections and to be very careful with the candidates they elect. During a recent radio interview, DENR Regional Executive

quire, for one, renewable sources of energy such as wind, hydro, geothermal and solar power in the hope of achieving sustainable development. We have been actively engaging in this endeavor because we know that there is still hope. We are the generation who can still turn things around. In our own ways, we, too, can participate in climate change mitigation efforts. To simplify, we can adopt Japan’s 3R’s of environmental responsibility: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reduce. Decrease energy consumption in our homes and offices. Switching from incandescent bulbs , which consume more energy, to compact flourescent light (CFL) is in fact a law.

Do not turn on appliances at the same time. Turn off computers and airconditioning units when not in use. It is not a question of whether or not you can afford your electric bill, but a concern about the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere when coaland petroleum-powered generators work harder for your energy consumption. Let us use our cars less often. Walk, if possible. It is healthier. Better yet, use fuel-efficient cars (I drive a Honda Jazz with a ratio of 18 kilometers to a liter). Since consumer activism is now the trend in Asia, we should keep up. The use of V8 vehicles are now old-fashioned. Sorry. (Bato-bato sa langit). TO BE CONCLUDED

-0For the most part, the environment has been predominantly last on the people’s agenda. They fail to realize that environmental concerns directly threaten their own livelihood and well-being. We engineers call a large part of these concerns a solid waste containment problem, which is a problem that is proportional to the daily consumption of every individual, a problem that is called “point source” if you will. As an environmental engineer, I would be the first to tell you that the construction of a sanitary landfill is not an effortless nor a straightforward task. It is not as simple as digging a hole in the ground and burying your garbage with soil. That would be a disaster for our envi-

Director Corazon Davis coined the term “green vote” when asked for her stand about electoral issues. In my own understanding, it means choosing the candidates who are sincerely passionate for the environment because we Filipinos stand to suffer the most from the effects

YANO FILES... From Page 3 ronment! Maybe that was how it was done in the olden times. But with the boom of the industrial revolution and the onset of modern living, this is already taboo, banned even. Potentially hazardous chemicals and enzymes will destroy the soil and make it useless for agriculture and human habitat. So, permit me to be an environmental engineer from hereon. Let me tell you about the intricacies and complexities of a modern day sanitary landfill. The modern day sanitary landfill is comprised of multiple components design for the protection of the environment and resource conservation. The first of which is the brain of the op-

He said the death toll has reached more than 250 while initial estimates of damage to infrastructure was P1.5 billion and to agriculture nearly P900 million. The homes of more than 1.9 million people of Metro Manila were flooded at the height of the typhoon.

of Climate Change. To a public official like me, climate change and all other environmental issues should be the agenda and not just another item in his agenda. I urge everyone, therefore, to think “green” for the future of this country. Now you know that being green-minded has a good connotation these days. eration, commonly referred to as the materials recovery facility or MRF. The MRF concept is clear-cut, which is waste diversion designed for sustainable development and closed looped processes. Waste diversion and material reuse not only conserve raw material inputs but also lead indirectly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the reuse of recyclable materials such as cans, bottles and paper products mitigate the energy demands to produce new raw materials. Consequently, the reduction of energy demands to produce these materials reduce the emission of carbon combustion byproducts which are the greenhouse gasses. TO BE CONTINUED

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To strengthen ‘green’ industry dev’t

EDITORYAL .... Mula sa Pahina 3

tayo ay dapat sisihin. Mahigit isang dekada nang nagbibigay ng mga babala ang mga eksperto na dalubyo ang magiging epekto ng pagkasira ng klima at kalikasan ng buong mundo. Subalit nagkibit-balikat lamang tayo sa pag-aakala na mga maling hula lamang ito, o matagal pa bago mangyayari ang sinasabi ng mga eksperto. Kung kaya’t nagpatuloy ang maling sistema ng pagkakaingin, ang walang habas na pagsira ng mga kagubatan, ang patuloy na paggamit ng mga mausok na sasakyan, ang pagpapatayo ng mga pabrikang gumagamit ng mga mapanirang panggatong tulad ng bunker fuel at ang iba pang kaugalian na nakasanayan na kahit alam natin na nakasisira ito sa Inang Kalikasan. Naniwala din tayo sa mga komersyal ng mga kumpanya ng langis na di naman nakasisira, o naging “malinis” na, ang kanilang mga produktong langis. Samantala, ang ilan sa mga kongresista na mayroong pinoprotektahang malalaking negosyo o industriya na lumalabag sa mga batas-pangkalikasan ay nakaupo sa mga komite sa Kongreso na naatasang magpasa ng mga batas para mapangalagaan ang kalikasan at para parusahan ang mga lumalabag sa batas na ito. Kung di man nila tahasang hinaharang ang mga panukalang batas pang-kalikasan, pinatatagal naman nila ang pagpasa ng mga ito hanggang sa makalimutan na ang mga ito o di kaya’y binabawasan ang ngipin para sa pagpapatupad ng mga ito. Maging ang mga nanirahan sa Palasyo ay nagtengang-kawali sa mga babala ng mga eksperto dahil sa “bulong” at mga sutsot ng mga tatamaan ng mga batas-pangkalikasan. Sa kabila ng mga ito, hindi pa rin huli para baguhin ang mga maling sistema sa ating lipunan. Upang maintindihan natin ang problema sa climate change, pakinggan natin ang mga eksperto. Pag-aralan natin at ipatupad ang mga pagbabagong hinihingi ng Inang Kalikasan. Kung may mga taong patuloy na sumusuway sa mga batas-pangkalikasan, o di pa rin sumusunod sa mga alituntuning makabubuti sa ating klima, pagsabihan natin ang mga ito o isuplong kung talagang matitigas ang kanilang ulo. Sa atin magsisimula ang pagbabago. Umpisahan natin ito. NGAYON NA!

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KLIMA BERDE

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

1PCL URGES CONGRESS TO ENACT ENVIRONMENTAL CODE JOSEPH RONCAL THE 1st Pro-Active on Climate Change Leaders (1PCL) supports the Philippine government’s efforts for the development of ‘green’ industries to help attain longterm climate change reversal measures. H o w e v e r, 1 P C L believes that there is a compelling need to enact an Environmental Code to correct perceived deficiencies in existing patchwork legislation and enable the government to address fu-

ture environmental protection and promotion requirements. 1PCL said the codification of environmental laws could include amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991, the Building Code, the Internal Revenue Code and the Charter of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 1PCL explained that the greening of industries should begin with the inclusion of pro-environment requirements in the licensing of new, or for

the renewal of existing, businesses to ensure their immediate compliance with environmental laws and regulations. 1PCL cited the Pasig City model which requires all new or renewal businesses to plant trees in their business areas prior to the release of an Environmental Permit as a prerequisite for the issuance of a Mayor’s Permit. 1PCL said highlyurbanized cities should establish a “green park” which businesses with no available space for

the planting of trees may use to comply with the proposed licensing requirements. 1PCL also stressed the need to establish a Local Government Environmental Fund (LGEF) that would help local chief executives in initiating and sustaining proenvironment programs and projects. The fund, to be managed by a Local Government Environmental Board (LGEB), similar to the Special Education Fund (SEF), could be established from the envi-

DAVAO FARMERS SEEK SC HELP VS AERIAL SPRAYING AL DELA CRUZ

HUNDREDS of farmers from three provinces in Mindanao will seek the help of the Supreme Court in enforcing a ban on the aerial spraying of pesticides in giant banana plantations. Led by the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (MAAS), the farmers said only the Supreme Court can reverse a ruling of the Court of Appeals in Cagayan de Oro that reversed a lower court ruling in favor of the ban. The farmers, who come from Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Del Sur and Davao City, said an ordinance banning the aerial spraying of pesticides was enacted to protect their families and children from the harmful effects of the pesticides. But owners of gi-

ant banana plantations challenged the ordinance before a regional trial court which nonetheless upheld the ordinance. The RTC ruling was questioned before the Court of Appeals and the giant

banana plantation owners won the reversal. The farmers are assisted in their legal battle by the National Task Force Against Aerial Spraying (NTFAAS) and several volunteer lawyers

headed by known proenvironment advocate lawyer Antonio Oposa who recently received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for his free legal services against violators of environmental laws.

ronmental permit fees included in the business licensing fees, penalties imposed on non-compliant businesses or environmental violators and a proposed LGU share from the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) fees paid by businesses that impact the environment. The LEGB would be headed by the local chief executive and include representatives from the DENR, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, pro-environment non-government organizations, business groups and the academe. Pro-environment requirements could also be added to existing building permit and building renovation requirements to encourage the construction of, or the shift to, less energydependent “green dwellings.”

10/2/2009 11:08:57 AM

‘ONDOY’ JUST A GLIMPSE OF FUTURE CALAMITIES Need for global warming pact stressed

THE head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) has warned that the devastation wrought by Typhoon Ondoy is just a glimpse of how future calamities could hit the Philippines.

KLIMA

“This is just a glimpse of what will happen. This is not even a super typhoon. We need to be prepared. This is just a taste of things to come. We need to have more preparations and we need to factor in climate change,” UNFCC executive director Yvo de Boer said in a recent statement. This developed as De Boer said massive flooding caused by ‘Ondoy’ highlighted the need for the world to agree on a global warming agreement by December this year during talks in Copenhagen. De Boer issued the statement during UN climate talks in Bangkok earlier this week. A global agreement would ensure that “the frequency and severity of those kinds of extreme DE BOER weather events decreases as a result of ambitious climate change policy,” De Boer said. De Boer’s warning was echoed by Jose Bersales, humanitarian and emergency affairs director at World Vision, when he said: “This has to be a wake-up call for the world as it prepares for the climate change talks in Coclimate change, and meeting and United There are major penhagen later this year,” Bersales said. Bersales quoted recent forecasts by the Inalso to curb carbon Nations Framework disagreements beemitted by rotting on Climate Change tween developed and tergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that dead trees and burn- (UNFCC) executive developing nations on tropical storms would become more intense, ing. director, Yvo de Boer, how much they will cut have stronger peak wind speeds and heavier The Bangkok talks earlier warned that carbon emissions precipitation. He said this phenomenon would have a are the next to last be- time was running out and who will meet the fore the Copenhagen to reach a deal. enormous cost.(AFP) disproportionate impact on the Philippines. He explained that with 43 percent of the population, or 36 million people, living on less than two dollars or P96 a day and with only one doctor for every 1,700 people, the impact of major disasters on the Philippines will become more devastating. Combined with an archipelagic coastline of 36,289 kilometers, Bersales said the Philippines is vulnerable to rising sea levels which is another consequence of climate change. “Millions in the Philippines must be helped to prepare for worsening wind storm disasters,” Bersales added. Meanwhile, research data released by United Kingdom-based Oxfam showed that the number of people affected by climate crises worldwide was projected to rise by 54 percent to 375 million over the next six years. “Time is not just pressing, it has almost run out,” De Boer warned. Observers said after two years of haggling, A tree stands alone in a logged area prepared for plantation world leaders are still trying to thrash out a draft development near Lapok in Malaysia’s Sarawak State. A lead- text for the Copenhagen talks, with major dising environmental group has urged delegates to the UN cli- agreements on the two key issues of cutting mate talks in Bangkok to include plans to reward nations for carbon emissions and meeting the associated (With reports from PDI/ AFP) saving their forests in any deal on global warming. AFP costs.

BERDE

CLIMATE PACT MUST INCLUDE FOREST REWARD SCHEME: WWF

BANGKOK – A leading international environmental group has urged delegates to the UN climate talks in Bangkok to include plans to reward nations for saving their forests in any deal on global warming. WWF International released a survey saying that investors showed “significant support” for a carbon market mechanism, which would address the estimated 20 percent of global carbon emissions due to deforestation. WWF released the poll as officials from 192 countries met in Thailand to try to agree on a text for a climate change treaty ahead of a crucial showdown in Copenhagen in December this year. “Any global deal on climate change must take into ac-

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count the significant role forests play in combating global warming,” said WWF International director general James Leape. The UN-backed reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) scheme is not yet part of the pact which could be finalized and signed in Copenhagen, a successor to the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gases which expires in 2012. The idea behind REDD is to work out how much carbon can be saved by not cutting down trees, and selling that carbon on the global market for big polluters to offset their own emissions. Environmentalists say the world needs forests to absorb the carbon in the atmosphere that is causing

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