Forests


Green Convergence to LGUs: ‘Invest in green spaces!’

Green Convergence to LGUs: ‘Invest in green spaces!’

The state of air quality and the need for expansion of green spaces in Metro Manila was the subject of the 355th monthly Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan Forum held on October 18, 2019 (Friday) at Kamayan Restaurant, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. In a 2012 report by the World Health Organization, “Every year, around 7 million premature deaths are caused by air pollution,” said Lyrio Woldring of Smart Air Philippines, “One in four...


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Green Convergence to PH gov’t: ‘Invest in native medicinal plants!’

Green Convergence to PH gov’t: ‘Invest in native medicinal plants!’

Environmental Coalition Green Convergence held the 352nd installment of the monthly Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan Forum about the future of the Philippine native medicinal plant industry on July 19, 2019 (Friday) at Kamayan Restaurant, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Former Department of Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan discussed that “Around 1500 medicinal plants from more than 13,500 plant species in the Philippines of which more than 3500 are considered indigenous.” Unfortunately, Galvez Tan stressed, “Only...


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Environmental group echo farmers’ call: ‘Protect PH coconut industry!’

Environmental group echo farmers’ call: ‘Protect PH coconut industry!’

Environmental Coalition Green Convergence held the 351st installment of the monthly Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan Forum about the state of the Philippine coconut industry and alternatives to help the coconut farmers on June 21, 2019 (Friday) at Kamayan Restaurant, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Quezon Province’s Samahan ng Magniniyog ng Burdeos President Edison Agarao stressed, “Among the challenges being faced by the coconut farmers are the lowering of coconut product price, market inaccessibility, stiff competition versus...


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GC to PH gov’t: ‘Respect rights of IPs; no to false environmental solutions!’

GC to PH gov’t: ‘Respect rights of IPs; no to false environmental solutions!’

Environmental coalition Green Convergence held “Landslides: Today’s Recurrent Nightmare,” at its monthly Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan Forum. Resource speakers included Rodne Galicha of Climate Reality Philippines and Mangyan representatives from Mindoro Virgilio “Ka Mot” Bunsoy and Alangan tribe leader Librada “Ka Badang” Isidro. They discussed the current environmental situation of Mindoro and the disasters that it regularly experiences related to flooding and landslides caused by mining and mountainside blasting. Galicha showed the rich biodiversity...


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Green Convergence’s Galang: “Update PH communal forest policy!”

Green Convergence’s Galang: “Update PH communal forest policy!”

Environmental Coalition Green Convergence held the 345th installment of the monthly Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan Forum last December 21, 2018 at Kamayan Restaurant, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Resource speakers included forester Amie Rabang of the Forest Management Bureau and Liberty Talastas-Bituin, a member of the indigenous people in the Cordilleras.  They discussed Communal Forest and the status of its implementation. Rabang stated that “there are 649 assigned communal forests all over the Philippines designated through...


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Kamayan emphasizes forests' role to greenhouse gas reduction

Kamayan emphasizes forests’ role to greenhouse gas reduction

JUNE 15, 2018, Mandaluyong City – The 339th installment of the monthly Kamayan Para Sa Kalikasan Forum tackled the sustainable nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of the Philippines in its commitment to help reduce the global greenhouse gases as per the Paris Agreement of 2016. Dr. Rowena Boquiren of the Haribon Foundation pointed out that the massive degradation of forests along with the rapid construction of greenhouse gas-emitting industries such as coal power plants and...


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Why native trees?

Why native trees?

Published February 7, 2018, 10:00 PM, By Flor G. Tarriela via Manila Bulletin At a recent typhoon that hit Metro Manila on the way to Tagaytay, I noticed many fallen trees, Acacia and Tulip trees. Later I found out these fallen trees were actually “alien” trees and not native to the Philippines. But wonder of wonders in typhoon Ondoy, a Dita tree stood tall and saved 36 lives in Quezon City! The Dita tree, like...


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