State of Nature Assessment 2017: Resolutions

STATE OF NATURE ASSESSMENT 2017

“Our Land, Our Life”

August 11, 2017; Little Theater, Miriam College

RESOLUTIONS

Whereas the Philippines is archipelagic, mountainous and volcanic, blessed with inherent ecosystems and natural elements that maintain and preserve the richness of its biodiversity;

Whereas the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) is the largest and most diverse protected area in the Philippines, home to some of our most treasured species found only in the Philippines;

Whereas our natural ecosystems from ridge to reef provide ecological services to Filipinos and are the lifeline against the ill effects of climate change;

Whereas the Philippines is home to Indigenous Peoples whose culture and resource use have integrated respect for the environment and sustainable management of natural resources;

Whereas our rich biodiversity and unique natural features have gained world recognition;

Whereas our exclusive rights to use and enjoy the marine wealth in the West Philippine Sea was confirmed by the ruling of our claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;

Whereas current developments could lead to irreversible environmental, social and cultural degradation;

We, the attendees of the State of Nature Assessment : Our Land, Our Life, sponsored by Green Convergence held this August 11, 2017 at the Little Theater of Miriam College call on government to:

1. STOP the construction of the Isabela Ilagan-Divilacan Road and Kaliwa-Laiban Dam that would put vulnerable ecosystems and communities in Sierra Madre Natural Park to further risks, causing loss of ecological services, genetic diversity, and climate change mitigation;
2. STOP chemical agriculture and use of GMOs and SHIFT to organic farming that prioritizes food security of Filipinos above global market and ensures food safety, health and economic well-being of the Filipinos and protects our land and environment.
3. UPDATE GIS mapping using ecosystem approach to include ridge to reef planning, to enhance knowledge of communities in climate change resiliency, disaster risk management.
4. PASS the National Land Use Act (NLUA).
5. IMPLEMENT RA 6716 mandating rainwater collection.
6. DISALLOW all mining and quarrying operations and huge hydro-power projects in watershed areas.
7. HALT the expansion of all palm plantations and take immediate measures to counter its negative impact on indigenous people, environment, social justice and sustainable development.
8. UPHOLD as non-negotiable in dealing with territorial disputes our constitution XII, Sec. 2: “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens, ” and the decision of UNCLOS favoring the Philippine territorial claims on West Philippine Sea.

FOR OUR PART, we resolve to:

1. LOBBY the government to adopt an ecological paradigm in its development plan;
2. UNITE to undertake actions on our advocacy that are socially inclusive and economically beneficial;
3. INVOKE the Writ of Kalikasan against violators of environmental laws especially those that have large impact on people and nature.  3.1 especially the political & business personalities that are behind the construction of the IIigan-Divilian road and the airport; 3.2 people behind the expansion of palm oil plantations
4. SYNERGIZE our efforts for maximum efficiency and effectiveness by collating initiatives undertaken by groups and organizations, identifying gaps and working together to close these gaps.