MANILA, Philippines -- The Basic Education Division of Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) recently held its annual Parade of Nations to mark its 21st anniversary.
The event themed "Promoting Environmental Sustainability through the 5Cs," was graced by guest Department of Environment and Natural Resources director Ramon Espeleta who represented Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje. He emphasized the important role of the youth in saving the environment and eventually combating climate change.
Showing posts with label Luzon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luzon. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CMP Asks DENR to Regulate Small-Scale Mines from LGU
MANILA, Philippines — The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CMP) has pushed for the transfer of regulation of small scale mines to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from local government units to ensure strict environmental monitoring.
While rigid rules are imposed on environmental and social practices of large-scale mines, small-scale mines do not go through such stringent scrutiny. This has induced destructive environmental practices among some small mines, which impute a bad reputation on the entire industry, the chamber said.
While rigid rules are imposed on environmental and social practices of large-scale mines, small-scale mines do not go through such stringent scrutiny. This has induced destructive environmental practices among some small mines, which impute a bad reputation on the entire industry, the chamber said.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Envt'l Group Slams 73 Garbage Dumps Around Sierra Madre
Source: http://www.philstar.com/
By: Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -- A network of environmental advocates vowed to stop the alleged unrestrained dumping of garbage in provinces surrounding the Sierra Madre mountain range, as it pressed for the unyielding preservation of the lush mountain, including its biodiversity.
Participants in the recent Save the Sierra Madre Summit in Quezon City criticized the existence of 73 “horrendous” dumps around Sierra Madre.
In a resolution, the Save the Sierra Madre Network called the dumping in Sierra Madre an “outright rape of the forest ecosystem” akin to the unbridled logging, mining and land conversion in the area.
“We believe that the Sierra Madre is a living monument of life and that every citizen and community has the duty to resist any plan to turn it into a graveyard of garbage,” the participants declared.
“Regardless of how they are called, the siting and operation of (dumps) in Sierra Madre is like a death sentence that will destroy the integrity of the forest, her rich biodiversity and her capacity to support sustainable development,” they added.
Citing latest available data from the website of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, the group said 45 open dumps, 21 controlled dumps and seven “sanitary” landfills exist in the Sierra Madre provinces.
The Sierra Madre mountain range straddles the provinces of Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan.
Among the most controversial facilities that have caught the ire of the EcoWaste Coalition, Bangon Kalikasan Movement, Buklod Tao and the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society are the “sanitary” landfills in Norzagaray and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, and Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) and San Mateo towns in Rizal.
Rei Panaligan, coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, said participants in the Save the Sierra Madre Summit resolved to ask the local and national governments to carry out measures to protect the entire Sierra Madre.
Panaligan said the network demands the government close down, clean up and rehabilitate all the dumps; halt the use of “destructive and polluting waste technologies,” including landfills, incinerators and co-processing of waste in cement kilns; and enforce the ecological management of discards without dumping and burning.
The network of environment advocates also urged authorities not to use public funds for the collection and dumping of garbage in the Sierra Madre, Panaligan said.
“Instead, we call upon the government to earmark public funds for popular education and mobilization on waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and composting in line with the Zero Waste approach to solve our stinking garbage woes,” Panaligan added.
Complete URL:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=505531&publicationSubCategoryId=67
By: Katherine Adraneda
The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -- A network of environmental advocates vowed to stop the alleged unrestrained dumping of garbage in provinces surrounding the Sierra Madre mountain range, as it pressed for the unyielding preservation of the lush mountain, including its biodiversity.
Participants in the recent Save the Sierra Madre Summit in Quezon City criticized the existence of 73 “horrendous” dumps around Sierra Madre.
In a resolution, the Save the Sierra Madre Network called the dumping in Sierra Madre an “outright rape of the forest ecosystem” akin to the unbridled logging, mining and land conversion in the area.
“We believe that the Sierra Madre is a living monument of life and that every citizen and community has the duty to resist any plan to turn it into a graveyard of garbage,” the participants declared.
“Regardless of how they are called, the siting and operation of (dumps) in Sierra Madre is like a death sentence that will destroy the integrity of the forest, her rich biodiversity and her capacity to support sustainable development,” they added.
Citing latest available data from the website of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, the group said 45 open dumps, 21 controlled dumps and seven “sanitary” landfills exist in the Sierra Madre provinces.
The Sierra Madre mountain range straddles the provinces of Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan.
Among the most controversial facilities that have caught the ire of the EcoWaste Coalition, Bangon Kalikasan Movement, Buklod Tao and the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society are the “sanitary” landfills in Norzagaray and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, and Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) and San Mateo towns in Rizal.
Rei Panaligan, coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, said participants in the Save the Sierra Madre Summit resolved to ask the local and national governments to carry out measures to protect the entire Sierra Madre.
Panaligan said the network demands the government close down, clean up and rehabilitate all the dumps; halt the use of “destructive and polluting waste technologies,” including landfills, incinerators and co-processing of waste in cement kilns; and enforce the ecological management of discards without dumping and burning.
The network of environment advocates also urged authorities not to use public funds for the collection and dumping of garbage in the Sierra Madre, Panaligan said.
“Instead, we call upon the government to earmark public funds for popular education and mobilization on waste prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling and composting in line with the Zero Waste approach to solve our stinking garbage woes,” Panaligan added.
Complete URL:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=505531&publicationSubCategoryId=67
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ten Green Turtles Swims Free In Quezon
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
By: Delfin Mallari Jr.
INQUIRER.net
LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Ten marine turtles were released back into the sea in Quezon province since last week, an environmentalist group said Monday.
Zeny Bernal, marine program officer of Tanggol Kalikasan-Southern Tagalog, an environment protection watchdog based here, said the gentle “green turtles” (Chelonia mydas agassizii) which got entangled in fish cages in the area were released sea in Lamon Bay fronting Alabat Island.
On Monday morning, Bernal said fishermen on the island discovered two dead turtles and four live ones, the biggest with a carapace measuring 101 centimeters long and 95 centimeters wide.
“The live turtles were immediately freed after attaching monitoring tags” to the shell of the turtles while the dead were buried,” Bernal told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The green turtle is a large, weighty sea reptile with a wide, smooth carapace, or shell. Weighing up to 700 pounds (317.5 kilograms) green turtles are among the largest sea turtles in the world.
Last week, fishermen in the island discovered another six green turtles and immediately freed two of the marine creatures due to their fragile condition.
The four other turtles, the biggest with a carapace of 94 centimeters long and 86 centimeters wide, were freed Saturday in the coastal village of Villa Norte in the island municipality and witnessed by more than 200 persons composed of local government officials and families of fishermen.
Bernal described the freed turtles as a “family.”
The environmentalist group now described Lamon Bay as a marine habitat once ruined by destructive fishing practices but is now a safe haven for endangered sea turtles, locally called as “pawikan.”
“The glorious phenomena can be attributed to the high level of environmental protection awareness of the coastal villagers and local government officials. This only shows that the government and an enlightened citizenry can make a great difference in protecting our natural resources,” said lawyer Sheila de Leon, TK-ST chief.
The “pawikan” is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and in the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090810-219583/10-green-turtles-freed-in-Quezon
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By: Delfin Mallari Jr.
INQUIRER.net
LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Ten marine turtles were released back into the sea in Quezon province since last week, an environmentalist group said Monday.
Zeny Bernal, marine program officer of Tanggol Kalikasan-Southern Tagalog, an environment protection watchdog based here, said the gentle “green turtles” (Chelonia mydas agassizii) which got entangled in fish cages in the area were released sea in Lamon Bay fronting Alabat Island.
On Monday morning, Bernal said fishermen on the island discovered two dead turtles and four live ones, the biggest with a carapace measuring 101 centimeters long and 95 centimeters wide.
“The live turtles were immediately freed after attaching monitoring tags” to the shell of the turtles while the dead were buried,” Bernal told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The green turtle is a large, weighty sea reptile with a wide, smooth carapace, or shell. Weighing up to 700 pounds (317.5 kilograms) green turtles are among the largest sea turtles in the world.
Last week, fishermen in the island discovered another six green turtles and immediately freed two of the marine creatures due to their fragile condition.
The four other turtles, the biggest with a carapace of 94 centimeters long and 86 centimeters wide, were freed Saturday in the coastal village of Villa Norte in the island municipality and witnessed by more than 200 persons composed of local government officials and families of fishermen.
Bernal described the freed turtles as a “family.”
The environmentalist group now described Lamon Bay as a marine habitat once ruined by destructive fishing practices but is now a safe haven for endangered sea turtles, locally called as “pawikan.”
“The glorious phenomena can be attributed to the high level of environmental protection awareness of the coastal villagers and local government officials. This only shows that the government and an enlightened citizenry can make a great difference in protecting our natural resources,” said lawyer Sheila de Leon, TK-ST chief.
The “pawikan” is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and in the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20090810-219583/10-green-turtles-freed-in-Quezon
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Monday, August 3, 2009
DENR Clears Fish Pens, Cages In Manila Bay
The DENR has decided to spare for now the tahongan and saprahan of small fisherfolk in Cavite while the agency looks for ways to help them, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said.
Monday, July 13, 2009
DENR Seeks Strict Measures vs. Smoke Belchers
DENR Seeks Strict Measures vs. Smoke BelchersSource: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
By: Agence France-Presse
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on local government officials of Metro Manila to get tough on smoke-belching vehicles to bring air pollution to safer levels.
In a statement, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said air pollution in Metro Manila has stayed above the recommended limits of world health authorities largely because of the increase in the number of motor vehicles.
Based on studies by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the average Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) dropped from 160 micrograms of pollutants per normal cubic meters (ug/Ncm) to 132 ug/Ncm in 2007. But the national ambient air quality standard is 90 ug/Ncm.
Last year’s TSP number for the NCR was at 138 ug/Ncm.
Atienza said air quality in Metro Manila was improving but it was not yet within the recommended health standard.
“These numbers are still beyond the guideline set by the World Health Organization (WHO),” Atienza said.
TSP is a collective term used for very small solid particles coming from emissions of diesel-fed engines, power plants, wood stoves including open burning, and dust from unpaved roads and construction areas.
Atienza stressed that local governments are tasked under the Local Government Code and the Philippine Clean Air Act to improve air quality within their respective jurisdictions.
“The management of our air quality is not the exclusive mandate of the DENR. It is a shared responsibility among concerned national agencies, local government units, as well as the people,” Atienza said.
He said the role of the local governments is “most critical” since it can pass and enforce ordinances against open burning and smoke-belching vehicles.
According to Land Transportation Office statistics, the number of motor vehicles in the country doubled from 2.5 million in 2003 to 5.53 million in 2007. Alcuin Papa
Complete URL Address:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20090712-215068/Go-after-smoke-belchers-Metro-execs-ordered
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Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Ninoy Aquino Park Eyed as Biodiversity Showcase
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/
By: “dave_dizon”
ABS-CBN News Online Beta
Manila, Philippines -- Environment Secretary Lito Atienza announced Monday plans to transform the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center (NAPWNC) in Quezon City into a “biodiversity showcase” for Filipinos.
Atienza said his agency's plan is to make NAPWNC a “model biodiversity conservation area in an urban area,” where people, particularly the youth, can learn more about Philippine biodiversity and appreciate the necessity of protecting such.
“We have long taken great pride in our wealth of flora and fauna. We have more than 14,000 species of plants. Of these, 9,000 are flowering. Worldwide, we rank fifth in the number of plant species. We also rank fourth in bird endemism, which means that these birds are found only in the Philippines. And we rank fifth in mammal endemism,” Atienza said in a statement.
"If NAPWNC is developed properly, environmental awareness of park visitors will be enhanced. We want the public to feel the visit to the park as both enjoyable and relaxing and a learning experience,” he added.
Atienza recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Palafox Associates, represented by its founder, managing partner and principal architect Felino Palafox, to facilitate the preparation of the NAPWNC Conceptual Master Plan that will include detailed site engineering, landscape architectural design and urban design.
According to Atienza, around 3,000 species of trees that thrive in the country are found inside the park, 100 of which are endemic to the country, such as narra, molave, kamagong and ipil. For flora and fauna which could not thrive in the NAPWNC, Atienza said pictures of those species will be displayed instead.
Anti-pollution interventions and better recreational facilities will likewise be introduced in the park, the DENR chief said, adding that “it (NAPWNC) is going to be a model for environment showcases that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to establish outside Metro Manila.”
Atienza said the DENR already began initial consultations with several local planners to generate ideas that can be included in the agency's proposed master development plan for NAPWNC.
"We're targeting to finish the plan within four months so development work can commence as soon as possible," he said.
NAPWNC, a favorite weekend site for families and an educational spot for students, boasts of wide picnic grounds, a lagoon and a wildlife rescue center where some of the country's endangered and/or threatened species of wildlife are undergoing rehabilitation and care.
.
By: “dave_dizon”
ABS-CBN News Online Beta
Manila, Philippines -- Environment Secretary Lito Atienza announced Monday plans to transform the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center (NAPWNC) in Quezon City into a “biodiversity showcase” for Filipinos.
Atienza said his agency's plan is to make NAPWNC a “model biodiversity conservation area in an urban area,” where people, particularly the youth, can learn more about Philippine biodiversity and appreciate the necessity of protecting such.
“We have long taken great pride in our wealth of flora and fauna. We have more than 14,000 species of plants. Of these, 9,000 are flowering. Worldwide, we rank fifth in the number of plant species. We also rank fourth in bird endemism, which means that these birds are found only in the Philippines. And we rank fifth in mammal endemism,” Atienza said in a statement.
"If NAPWNC is developed properly, environmental awareness of park visitors will be enhanced. We want the public to feel the visit to the park as both enjoyable and relaxing and a learning experience,” he added.
Atienza recently signed a memorandum of agreement with Palafox Associates, represented by its founder, managing partner and principal architect Felino Palafox, to facilitate the preparation of the NAPWNC Conceptual Master Plan that will include detailed site engineering, landscape architectural design and urban design.
According to Atienza, around 3,000 species of trees that thrive in the country are found inside the park, 100 of which are endemic to the country, such as narra, molave, kamagong and ipil. For flora and fauna which could not thrive in the NAPWNC, Atienza said pictures of those species will be displayed instead.
Anti-pollution interventions and better recreational facilities will likewise be introduced in the park, the DENR chief said, adding that “it (NAPWNC) is going to be a model for environment showcases that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to establish outside Metro Manila.”
Atienza said the DENR already began initial consultations with several local planners to generate ideas that can be included in the agency's proposed master development plan for NAPWNC.
"We're targeting to finish the plan within four months so development work can commence as soon as possible," he said.
NAPWNC, a favorite weekend site for families and an educational spot for students, boasts of wide picnic grounds, a lagoon and a wildlife rescue center where some of the country's endangered and/or threatened species of wildlife are undergoing rehabilitation and care.
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Sunday, July 5, 2009
Envt'l. Grp. Seek Halt of High-risk Projects in Marikina watershed
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — An environmental group urged the government on Friday to stop high-risk projects within the Marikina watershed that might endanger the lives of residents living in the area.
In a statement, the EcoWaster Coalition said all land conversion and waste disposal activities within the watershed may lead to disasters like landslides.
The appeal was made just as the country observes Disaster Awareness Month this July.
“The massive land conversion of the Marikina watershed and the mountains of Rizal is putting families in danger, especially those living near riverbanks and mountain slopes,” warned Noli Abinales of Buklod Tao, a community-based organization based in San Mateo, Rizal.
“As the country is in the brink of more climatic disasters due to global warming, we are appealing to the DENR to act quickly and stop the further destruction of the environment.”
The group also asked Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to supplement environmental management programs by integrating disaster prevention modules to enhance the protection of citizens living in high-risk disaster areas like San Mateo.
In a 2000 study conducted by the National Institute for Geological Studies of the University of the Philippines, it was revealed that the surrounding mountains of San Mateo are classified as Zone 1 or high risk for landslides and “mass wasting.”
Also, an environmental constraint map of San Mateo showed 13 of the town’s 15 barangays as prone to flooding, the group said.
Buklod Tao laid the blame on powerful corporations engaged in housing projects and quarry operations who they said were leveling the mountains of Rizal for years.
For his part, Rei Panaligan of the EcoWaste Coalition assailed the construction of a new “sanitary” landfill in San Mateo that could contaminate the water supply with leachate, the toxic “garbage juice” which forms within waste materials.
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — An environmental group urged the government on Friday to stop high-risk projects within the Marikina watershed that might endanger the lives of residents living in the area.
In a statement, the EcoWaster Coalition said all land conversion and waste disposal activities within the watershed may lead to disasters like landslides.
The appeal was made just as the country observes Disaster Awareness Month this July.
“The massive land conversion of the Marikina watershed and the mountains of Rizal is putting families in danger, especially those living near riverbanks and mountain slopes,” warned Noli Abinales of Buklod Tao, a community-based organization based in San Mateo, Rizal.
“As the country is in the brink of more climatic disasters due to global warming, we are appealing to the DENR to act quickly and stop the further destruction of the environment.”
The group also asked Environment Secretary Lito Atienza to supplement environmental management programs by integrating disaster prevention modules to enhance the protection of citizens living in high-risk disaster areas like San Mateo.
In a 2000 study conducted by the National Institute for Geological Studies of the University of the Philippines, it was revealed that the surrounding mountains of San Mateo are classified as Zone 1 or high risk for landslides and “mass wasting.”
Also, an environmental constraint map of San Mateo showed 13 of the town’s 15 barangays as prone to flooding, the group said.
Buklod Tao laid the blame on powerful corporations engaged in housing projects and quarry operations who they said were leveling the mountains of Rizal for years.
For his part, Rei Panaligan of the EcoWaste Coalition assailed the construction of a new “sanitary” landfill in San Mateo that could contaminate the water supply with leachate, the toxic “garbage juice” which forms within waste materials.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Three More Sites for Biosphere Project in the Philippines
Source: Press Release
By: Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation
MANILA, Philippines -- July 2, 2009 -- Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation has announced during the groundbreaking of the Pilot Biosphere Project in Pampanga that three more sites are ready for the installation and deployment of the Biosphere Process and Technology in the Philippines.
Ruth P. Briones, the Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation said that sites in Santa Rosa in Nueva Ecija, Tanauan City in Batangas and Butuan City in Mindanao are now being prepared for the Biosphere Technology. Preliminary activities for these Projects, she said will be simultaneously started in July 2009.
The Spectrum's Executive further said that the company expects to open and operate six Biosphere projects within the year under the Zero Waste Philippines Project. Aiming to have a zero waste Philippines, the company has tied up thru private-public partnership agreements with cities and municipalities in the Philippines with the Biosphere Process which operates under a Zero waste Philosophy that would dispose wastes of all kinds and at the same time generate green energy as waste-to-energy facility.
Under the Philippine Renewable Energy Act of 2008 Waste-to-Energy facilities like the Biosphere Projects qualify for "Pioneer" status and are designed to spur investments in the renewable energy sector with incentives. The incentives include a seven-year tax holiday, no tax on carbon credits generated from renewable energy sources, and a 10-percent corporate income tax thereafter. Firms will also be given a 1.5- percent real estate tax cap on the original cost of equipment and facilities used to produce renewable energy. The law also prioritizes the purchase, grid connection and transmission of electricity generated by companies from renewable sources, and exempts power generated from these sources from value- added tax, these measures will ultimately ensure a market for renewable energy, and provide a system that will allow consumers to choose green sources of energy in the long term.
Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation, a Philippine domestic corporation has been granted a license to the Biosphere process and Technology in 2008 by the Biosphere Development Corporation/Global Environmental Energy Corporation (DeutscheBorse: GLI.F) for the promotions, marketing, operation and management of the Biosphere Process. In that same year, the said company launched Zero Waste Philippines Project aiming for sustainable development that would replace the concept of waste as "waste as rubbish" into "waste as resource".
The Biosphere process for generating green energy was invented by Dr. Chris McCormack and he is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive officer of Global Environmental Energy Corporation (OTCBulletinBoard: GEECF) .
This release contains forward looking information of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections.
CONTACT:
Ronald Flynn
Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation
+639 1 8888 0017
By: Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation
MANILA, Philippines -- July 2, 2009 -- Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation has announced during the groundbreaking of the Pilot Biosphere Project in Pampanga that three more sites are ready for the installation and deployment of the Biosphere Process and Technology in the Philippines.
Ruth P. Briones, the Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation said that sites in Santa Rosa in Nueva Ecija, Tanauan City in Batangas and Butuan City in Mindanao are now being prepared for the Biosphere Technology. Preliminary activities for these Projects, she said will be simultaneously started in July 2009.
The Spectrum's Executive further said that the company expects to open and operate six Biosphere projects within the year under the Zero Waste Philippines Project. Aiming to have a zero waste Philippines, the company has tied up thru private-public partnership agreements with cities and municipalities in the Philippines with the Biosphere Process which operates under a Zero waste Philosophy that would dispose wastes of all kinds and at the same time generate green energy as waste-to-energy facility.
Under the Philippine Renewable Energy Act of 2008 Waste-to-Energy facilities like the Biosphere Projects qualify for "Pioneer" status and are designed to spur investments in the renewable energy sector with incentives. The incentives include a seven-year tax holiday, no tax on carbon credits generated from renewable energy sources, and a 10-percent corporate income tax thereafter. Firms will also be given a 1.5- percent real estate tax cap on the original cost of equipment and facilities used to produce renewable energy. The law also prioritizes the purchase, grid connection and transmission of electricity generated by companies from renewable sources, and exempts power generated from these sources from value- added tax, these measures will ultimately ensure a market for renewable energy, and provide a system that will allow consumers to choose green sources of energy in the long term.
Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation, a Philippine domestic corporation has been granted a license to the Biosphere process and Technology in 2008 by the Biosphere Development Corporation/Global Environmental Energy Corporation (DeutscheBorse: GLI.F) for the promotions, marketing, operation and management of the Biosphere Process. In that same year, the said company launched Zero Waste Philippines Project aiming for sustainable development that would replace the concept of waste as "waste as rubbish" into "waste as resource".
The Biosphere process for generating green energy was invented by Dr. Chris McCormack and he is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive officer of Global Environmental Energy Corporation (OTCBulletinBoard: GEECF) .
This release contains forward looking information of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections.
CONTACT:
Ronald Flynn
Spectrum Blue Steel Corporation
+639 1 8888 0017
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Environmentalists Urge Gov't On 2014 PCB Phase-out
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines--Environmentalists called on the government to fast track the phaseout of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in large transformers and voltage regulators in the power sector.
Manny Calonzo of the Ecowaste Coalition said on Tuesday the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) required governments “to prohibit the production, import, export and use of all PCBs,” and implement an action plan to address PCBs.
“The government already has a program laid out to phase out PCBs. But the real problem is fast tracking the program to accomplish the phase out by 2014,” Calonzo said.
In simple ceremonies on Tuesday, the coalition reiterated its support for a program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure that PCBs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) would no longer be used in the country.
“The pioneering project will demonstrate the efficacy of environmentally sound and safe non-burn approach for managing PCBs and will surely contribute to both the local and global push to eliminate PCBs and advance chemical safety,” Calonzo said.
The group also launched the “PCB Eliminator,” a “masked hero” whose mission is to protect “our people and the ecosystem from harm caused by exposure to these harmful substances.”
The new green crusader joins the other mascot heroes of the waste and pollution watchdog, namely “Boy Bayong,” an advocate against single use plastic bags, and “Super WA” (for “Walang Aksaya”) a champion for Zero Waste.
Angie Brabante, chief of the chemical management section of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said that if introduced directly into the environment, PCB could affect the skin, immune and reproductive system. It is also dangerous to wildlife and resides in the environment for 30 years.
She added that electric cooperatives around the country continued to use transformers and regulators with PCB. According to him, 32,000 transformers in use still contain PCB.
“There are new alternatives now to PCB oils including transformers that use mineral and silicon oil,” she said.
Calonzo said that at present, the biggest concern now would be how to dispose of PCBs. There is only one facility being constructed in the country to dispose of PCBs without burning, according to him. That facility is being constructed in Bataan and will be finished this year.
According to the coalition, PCBs belong to the so-called “dirty dozen” of POPs that include pesticides, industrial chemicals and unintentional byproducts of industrial and combustion processes.
Worldwide, there is an estimated five million tons of PCB oils and contaminated equipment.
In the country, initial inventories by the EMB estimated 6,879 tons of PCB-containing equipment and waste products with about 2400 tons of PCB oil.
PCBS are also found in industrial establishments, manufacturing plants, military camps and hospitals.
Exposure to PCBs may lead to cancer, particularly cancer of the liver. There have been well-documented cases of water pollution with PCBs in industrialized countries, which led to the poisoning of marine life.
.
By: Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines--Environmentalists called on the government to fast track the phaseout of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in large transformers and voltage regulators in the power sector.
Manny Calonzo of the Ecowaste Coalition said on Tuesday the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) required governments “to prohibit the production, import, export and use of all PCBs,” and implement an action plan to address PCBs.
“The government already has a program laid out to phase out PCBs. But the real problem is fast tracking the program to accomplish the phase out by 2014,” Calonzo said.
In simple ceremonies on Tuesday, the coalition reiterated its support for a program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure that PCBs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) would no longer be used in the country.
“The pioneering project will demonstrate the efficacy of environmentally sound and safe non-burn approach for managing PCBs and will surely contribute to both the local and global push to eliminate PCBs and advance chemical safety,” Calonzo said.
The group also launched the “PCB Eliminator,” a “masked hero” whose mission is to protect “our people and the ecosystem from harm caused by exposure to these harmful substances.”
The new green crusader joins the other mascot heroes of the waste and pollution watchdog, namely “Boy Bayong,” an advocate against single use plastic bags, and “Super WA” (for “Walang Aksaya”) a champion for Zero Waste.
Angie Brabante, chief of the chemical management section of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said that if introduced directly into the environment, PCB could affect the skin, immune and reproductive system. It is also dangerous to wildlife and resides in the environment for 30 years.
She added that electric cooperatives around the country continued to use transformers and regulators with PCB. According to him, 32,000 transformers in use still contain PCB.
“There are new alternatives now to PCB oils including transformers that use mineral and silicon oil,” she said.
Calonzo said that at present, the biggest concern now would be how to dispose of PCBs. There is only one facility being constructed in the country to dispose of PCBs without burning, according to him. That facility is being constructed in Bataan and will be finished this year.
According to the coalition, PCBs belong to the so-called “dirty dozen” of POPs that include pesticides, industrial chemicals and unintentional byproducts of industrial and combustion processes.
Worldwide, there is an estimated five million tons of PCB oils and contaminated equipment.
In the country, initial inventories by the EMB estimated 6,879 tons of PCB-containing equipment and waste products with about 2400 tons of PCB oil.
PCBS are also found in industrial establishments, manufacturing plants, military camps and hospitals.
Exposure to PCBs may lead to cancer, particularly cancer of the liver. There have been well-documented cases of water pollution with PCBs in industrialized countries, which led to the poisoning of marine life.
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Execs to tackle global warming in La Union conference
Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
By Jonathan L. Mayuga / Correspondent
BusinessMirror online
TO address the problems and challenges posed by global warming and climate change, career-service executives in La Union are sponsoring a climate change summit on June 25 in time for the national celebration of Arbor Day at the Oasis Resort in San Fernando City, La Union.
The move was lauded by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, who described it as an important strategy to communicate on a wider scale the issues relating to climate change.
“Making people understand the underlying facts about the problem is already half a battle won since the people will be ultimate implementers of the things that need to be done to address climate change.”
Dubbed Career Executive Service-Creative Innovations and Reforms for Committed Leadership and Effectiveness Forum: Usaping Global Warming, the summit is in response to President Arroyo’s call to support the government’s various environment programs, particularly those geared toward addressing climate change, said Washington Agustin, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director and president of NUCESO/Association of Regional Executives, which is organizing the event.
Atienza was invited to grace the occasion, along with former Environment secretary, now chairman of Earth Day Network Philippines Elisea “Bebet” Gozun and Environment Undersecretary for Legal, Finance and Administration Atty. Mary Ann Lucille Sering. The forum will revolve on the science of climate change, its impact to the Philippines, and the country’s response to climate change.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional executive director Corazon Davis said the forum is part of the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month and the World Environment Day, which has for its theme “Your Planet Needs Yo-Unite to Combat Climate Change.”
“The bad news about climate change is the fact that it is the most threatening of all environmental problems facing humanity today. The good news is that we know the root causes of global warming and climate change, and that our experts on this matter have been guiding us on what to do to mitigate its impact as well as how to adapt to it,” Atienza said.
Atienza said that while the problem of climate change is global in nature, there are measures that every single individual on earth can do at his or her level, which when taken collectively, can have far-reaching effect to mitigate global warming and climate change. He cited tree planting, waste segregation, recycling and waste reduction as examples of measures that can easily be done even by children.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
By Jonathan L. Mayuga / Correspondent
BusinessMirror online
TO address the problems and challenges posed by global warming and climate change, career-service executives in La Union are sponsoring a climate change summit on June 25 in time for the national celebration of Arbor Day at the Oasis Resort in San Fernando City, La Union.
The move was lauded by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, who described it as an important strategy to communicate on a wider scale the issues relating to climate change.
“Making people understand the underlying facts about the problem is already half a battle won since the people will be ultimate implementers of the things that need to be done to address climate change.”
Dubbed Career Executive Service-Creative Innovations and Reforms for Committed Leadership and Effectiveness Forum: Usaping Global Warming, the summit is in response to President Arroyo’s call to support the government’s various environment programs, particularly those geared toward addressing climate change, said Washington Agustin, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director and president of NUCESO/Association of Regional Executives, which is organizing the event.
Atienza was invited to grace the occasion, along with former Environment secretary, now chairman of Earth Day Network Philippines Elisea “Bebet” Gozun and Environment Undersecretary for Legal, Finance and Administration Atty. Mary Ann Lucille Sering. The forum will revolve on the science of climate change, its impact to the Philippines, and the country’s response to climate change.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional executive director Corazon Davis said the forum is part of the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month and the World Environment Day, which has for its theme “Your Planet Needs Yo-Unite to Combat Climate Change.”
“The bad news about climate change is the fact that it is the most threatening of all environmental problems facing humanity today. The good news is that we know the root causes of global warming and climate change, and that our experts on this matter have been guiding us on what to do to mitigate its impact as well as how to adapt to it,” Atienza said.
Atienza said that while the problem of climate change is global in nature, there are measures that every single individual on earth can do at his or her level, which when taken collectively, can have far-reaching effect to mitigate global warming and climate change. He cited tree planting, waste segregation, recycling and waste reduction as examples of measures that can easily be done even by children.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Manila Mayor's Exec Order Bans Registration of Pollutive Companies
Manila, Philippines -- Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, through an executive order dated June 4, 2009, has prohibitted the registration and renewal of permits of businesses deemed violating environmental laws and ordinances.
“No new business which will pollute the environment, pose danger to lives and properties such as, but not limited to, those classified as extremely pollutive and/or extremely hazardous or pollutive and/or hazardous under Ordinance 8187, shall be registered or allowed to do business in the city,” according to Mayor Lim’s Executive Order 19.
Mayor Lim has previously signed City Ordinance No. 8187, which he approved on May 28, and allowed the continued operation of the depot of three oil companies in the city’s Pandacan district.
The three oil companies that maintain the depot in the Pandacan district are Chevron Philippines, Inc., Petron Corp., and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.
Ordinance 8187 has been opposed by some sectors, including a religious sector led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, stating that the industries staying in the city pose danger to the lives of the residents and the environment.
The Social Justice Society has also sought to stop Mayor Lim from enforcing Ordinance 8187 contending that the ordinance is illegal since the Revised Manila Charter mandates the city government to pass laws that would promote the general welfare and not to enact measures that “expose inhabitants to serious physical danger.” It also said that the ordinance violated the Constitution and the Local Government Code.
“No new business which will pollute the environment, pose danger to lives and properties such as, but not limited to, those classified as extremely pollutive and/or extremely hazardous or pollutive and/or hazardous under Ordinance 8187, shall be registered or allowed to do business in the city,” according to Mayor Lim’s Executive Order 19.
Mayor Lim has previously signed City Ordinance No. 8187, which he approved on May 28, and allowed the continued operation of the depot of three oil companies in the city’s Pandacan district.
The three oil companies that maintain the depot in the Pandacan district are Chevron Philippines, Inc., Petron Corp., and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.
Ordinance 8187 has been opposed by some sectors, including a religious sector led by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, stating that the industries staying in the city pose danger to the lives of the residents and the environment.
The Social Justice Society has also sought to stop Mayor Lim from enforcing Ordinance 8187 contending that the ordinance is illegal since the Revised Manila Charter mandates the city government to pass laws that would promote the general welfare and not to enact measures that “expose inhabitants to serious physical danger.” It also said that the ordinance violated the Constitution and the Local Government Code.
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