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2nd Philippine Environment Summit 2018 (Cebu) Progress Reports

The Environment Summit is a biennial undertaking of Green Convergence to celebrate important breakthroughs and advancements in environmental protection through private and public initiatives. It provides a platform where all sectors can share common challenges, collaborate on creative solutions, and replicate success stories. It is a call to government and the Filipino people to unite in accelerating the drive towards national sustainable development.

Green Convergence is a large coalition of organizations, networks and individuals. With its private partners and DENR, it successfully held the 1st Philippine Environment Summit at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in February 2016 and the 2nd Philippine Environment Summit at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu IN February 2018.

Click the links below to know what happened in the summit:
Philippine Environment Summit 2018 Progress Report Day 1

Philippine Environment Summit 2018 Progress Report Day 2

Philippine Environment Summit 2018 Progress Report Day 3

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DENR steps up in protecting the environment

Posted at DENR Region 1

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) together with the Green Convergence (GC) organized the 2nd Philippine Environment Summit, with the theme “Mainstreaming Innovations for Sustainable Development” held last February 20-22, 2018 at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City

Around one thousand (1000) partakers came from the academe – educators and students alike, environmental NGOs, from other sectors – church, business, media, and government – national and local. It was a clear demonstration of greening together, growing better, as envisioned by the convener of the event, Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment, and Sustainable Economy.

An Inter-religious invocation and the San Diego Sinulog Dance Troupe started the day. They were followed by the opening remarks and keynote address from the representatives of the two convenor organizations – Dr. Angelina Galang, President of Green Convergence and Honorable Secretary Roy Cimatu of the DENR.

Dr. Angelina Galang asked all to work together to achieve the triple bottom line: social justice, economic progress, and ecological integrity. And called on the students to allow their youthful optimism to carry forward these aims on a personal basis by enhancing their awareness and understanding of the environmental impacts of their personal choices. In conclusion, Dr. Galang alerted everyone to actively participate in developing resolutions that will help mainstream innovations to be presented during the Summit.

Hon. Sec. Cimatu shared successful projects of DENR in nine (9) environmental areas, namely: solid waste management, ecotourism, national greening program, water quality, geo-hazard assessment and mapping forest protection, coastal and marine conservation, biodiversity conservation and air quality. He also shared updates on the BORACAY rehabilitation projects and expressed our department’s commitment to support and implement the administration’s target of Boracay clean-up in six (6) months.

“Beyond the enforcement of environmental laws, we also need the direct and mass participation of the citizenry in accelerating reforestation, in coastal cleanups, in conserving energy, and in popularizing lifestyles that will enable us to reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our resilience,” Sec. Cimatu said.

The environment summit aims to mainstream innovations and program to promote sustainable development for the environment. It calls the government and every Filipino to unite to build a strong network for the environment’s conservation and protection.

Sen. Grace Poe talks on the right of every Filipino to live in a safe environment and the initiatives of the Senate in promoting a balance ecology during the last day of the summit.

“Importante na ipaglaban natin ang karapatan ng bawat mamayan,” Sen. Poe said.

Green convergence was convened as a multi-sectoral, non-stock, non-profit civic organization for environmental concerns organized to promote synergy of networks, non-organizations, and individuals, in the interest of building a critical mass of citizens that understand the inter-connectedness of issues of food, environment, and sustainable economy. Green convergence also believes that education as the most effective means for confronting the challenges of the future, thus, education shapes tomorrow’s world. (RPAO)

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DENR makes renewed call for LGUs on environmental vigilance

By Ferliza C. Contratista on February 22, 2018 via Philippine Information Agency

CEBU CITY, February 21 (PIA) — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu called on local government units (LGUs) to be more vigilant against violators of environmental laws.

During the first day of the 2nd Philippine Environment Summit held at the Waterfront Cebu, Cimatu asked the over a thousand participants to help in the detection, apprehension, and prosecution of the violators.

“In places that are not declared as protected areas, such as metropolitan or urbanized centers, we depend on the LGUs at all levels, down to the barangay level, to be more vigilant,” Cimatu said.

He also called for the direct mass participation of the citizenry in accelerating reforestation, coastal cleanups, conserving energy, and in popularizing lifestyles that will reduce the carbon footprint and enhance the resilience.

“I must emphasize the need for people’s support. The DENR cannot be everywhere all the time, particularly in environmentally critical areas,” Cimatu said.

Despite this, DENR, he said, was able to exceed its targets three months before the end of 2017.

Dr. Angelina Galang, president of Green Convergence, said that the summit amplifies the call for partners in spreading environmental education.

“We have green schools, green buildings and soon, green churches. We need more partners,” Galang said.

Among the topics discussed in the breakout sessions for first day include Sustainable Plant-Based Manufacturing Industries, Healing the Earth through Environmental Technologies, Organic Agriculture, Effective Strategies for Advocacy, and Solid Waste Management Success Stories. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

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Cimatu urges manufacturers to pay their share in pollution

By Philippines News Agency, February 21, 2018 via Business Mirror

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sees the need for a law that would make manufacturers pay up for their share in polluting the environment.

“Perhaps we must consider enacting laws that will make manufacturers pay at least part of the cost of cleaning up the nonbiodegradable packaging that they use,” Cimatu said at the Second Philippine Environment Summit (PES) in Cebu City on Tuesday.

He raised the urgency for such a move, noting all sectors must help address the pollution problem nationwide.

In 2017 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) helped 321 local government units properly close and rehabilitate open and controlled dumps around Manila Bay, Cimatu said.

But he said more needs to be done as pollution continues to plague the country.

“Judging from the volume of plastic and other wastes that end up in our rivers, lakes and seas, we have not done enough,” Cimatu said.

The National Solid Waste Management Commission said the country generates about 36 tons of waste daily.

Metro Manila is the country’s top waste-generating region, and produces nearly 8,300 tons of waste per day, or about 3 million tons of waste per year, the commission said.

Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, refers to solid waste as “all discarded household, commercial waste, non-hazardous institutional and industrial waste, street sweepings, construction debris, agricultural waste  and other nonhazardous/nontoxic solid waste.”

A planned amendment to RA 9003 seeks to raise product stewardship among manufacturers nationwide to help minimize pollution from plastic packaging materials.

Senate Environment Committee head Sen. Cynthia A. Villar believes RA 9003 must include provisions on extended producer responsibility (EPR), a stewardship-promoting solid-waste management approach, which makes manufacturers responsible for their goods even after selling these.

“That’s part of amendments I’m planning for RA 9003,” she said at last month’s 2018 Zero Waste Month celebration and Fourth Eco-Waste Management Summit in Metro Manila.

The EPR would include manufacturers’ recovery of sold goods’ discarded plastic packaging materials, so there would be less solid waste and pollution in the country, Villar stated.

Cimatu hailed the conduct of the second PES, from February 20 to 22 this year.

“I commend the organizers of this noble undertaking for their resolve to hold this event,” he said, referring to the DENR and environment group Green Convergence.

PES showcases breakthroughs and advancements in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Through PES, various sectors can share views on common challenges, collaborate on solutions  and replicate success stories.

“Mainstreaming Innovation for Sustainable Development” is the 2018 theme of PES, a biennial event.

Green Convergence President Dr. Angelina Galang said this year’s PES focuses on local initiatives anchored on the triple bottom line concept that takes into account people, planet and profit to achieve business sustainability and profitability.

Profit should not be business’ sole concern, she said.

To be sustainable, Galang said, a business must also consider its social responsibility and environmental impact.

She added sustainable business operations do not deplete natural resources and instead enable present and future generations to avail themselves of their goods and services.

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DENR: Number of tourists in Boracay has reached ‘alarming levels’

By Adrian Ayalin, via ABS-CBN News. Posted at Jan 19 2018 05:58 PM

MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday said the number of tourists in Boracay has reached “alarming levels” as government agencies and the private sector worked on innovations for sustainable development.

Asked about the current status of the popular island resort, DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the government is in the process of making an inventory of business establishments in Boracay to determine which ones are violating laws and other regulations.

“It is moving towards alarming levels in terms of carrying capacity and solid waste management, which is why as far as we are concerned, the DENR is making an inventory of establishments there,” he said.

Cuna added that the influx of tourists from cruise ships have added to the growing number of visitors to Boracay.

The DENR and the Department of Tourism recently met to address problems in Boracay, which recently experienced severe flooding.

Cuna would not say if business establishments found violating laws and regulations would be dismantled, saying the inventory started during the last administration.

“I’m sure there is still a lot to be done there,” he said.

Cuna was at the press conference for the launch of the 2nd Philippine Environment Summit to be held in Cebu City from February 20 to 22.

The summit will be held in partnership with environment group Green Convergence led by its president Dr. Angelina Galang.

The gathering of environment stakeholders will be a “showcase of programs and projects that positively contribute to the social and economic advancement, while protecting the environment and a call to enhance convergence of the different sectors to level up innovative programs to accelerate the drive towards sustainable development.”

Galang said solid waste management, among others, is on top of the agenda in the summit, citing, for example, the mango industry where zero waste is achievable.

“Not even the seed will be thrown away because you can get flour from the mango seed,” she said.

Among plenary speakers at the event are Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Deputy Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera, Energy Development Corporation Chair and CEO Federico Lopez and other prominent personalities from other sectors.

Galang said foremost climate change advocate former US Vice President Al Gore declined to attend the summit but would be sending a video message.

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Climate Change Reality Project

 

By 2050, warmer waters in the southern Philippines could cause the maximum fish catch to decrease by 50 percent.

Low-lying areas inundation affecting seagrass beds in shallow tidal and sub-tidal marine environment coral bleaching and degeneration.

Sea level in the Philippines is projected to rise two to three times faster than the global average.

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Coconut Oil the Tree of Life

Understanding Plant Oil

What differentiates them is the
profile of their fatty acid composition e.g. carbon chain.

Plant oil is also referred to as Lipid

Current usage of Coconut Oil based products

  • Food Products
  • Cosmetic & Personal Care
  • Health Products
  • Value-Adding Processes
  • Coconut for Clean Air and Environment

 

Coconut has many more potential applications awaiting development.

This presentation focuses on the new category in the use of coconut oil that is not well known as yet – BIOPETROLEUM.

Biopetroleum products are substitute to petroleum products and specialties for transportation, and in industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications

What is Cocobiodiesel; Why is it Unique ?

Cocobiodiesel is Methyl Ester extracted from Coconut oil via a reaction process called esterification.

Also referred to as Coco Methyl Ester ( CME)

 

Unique Features of Cocobiodiesel

A powerhouse of natural additive features inherent in product.
– Oxygenated ( 14% Oxygen. Diesel has zero)
– Medium Saturated Carbon (91% Paraffinic. Non-polar, easily volatilizes)
– High Solvency Feature ( KB Value of 75 vs 31 of Diesel)
– High Lubricity Feature ( 216 micron vs >500 micron for Low Sulfur Diesel)
– High Cetane Value: ( 70 cetane vs 48 in diesel PNS

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Palm Oil Expansion In The Philippines

Marami ang nagsasabi na mayaman ang Pilipinas subalit naghihirap ang mamamayang Pilipino. May katotohanan ito dahil kahit sagana sa mga likas na yaman ang ating bayan,
nananatiling mahirap, nagugutom at nagdudusa pa rin ang marami nating mga kababayan. Kabilang sa pinakamayamang lugar sa ating bansa ang Mindanao, tinatawag din na Lupang
Pangako. Subalit ngayon, nakapailalim ang Mindanao sa Martial Law at lalo pang tumindi ang nararanasang kahirapan ng ating mga kababayan doon.

Nasa isla ng Mindanao ang pinakamalalaking plantasyon sa Pilipinas. Libu-libong ektaryang lupain ang nasasaklaw bilang taniman ng goma, saging, pinya at oil palm.
Ang mga dating lupang sakahan at lupang ninuno na binubungkal ng ating mga magsasaka at tinitirhan ng ating mga katutubo ay napalitan na ng mga plantasyon na nasa kontrol ng
malalaking lokal at dayuhang agrokorporasyon.

Kung dati-rati ay pagkain – palay, mais, gulay ang nakatanim sa ating mga lupain, ngayon ay mga pananim na pang export na ang sumakop sa lupain ng mga magsasaka at katutubo.
Mga malalaking dayuhang kumpanya gaya ng Dole Philippines ng U.S., Del Monte at Sumifru ng Japan ang nakikinabang sa ating lupain at likas na yaman.

Malalawak na lupain pa ang tinatarget sakupin sa planong higit na pagpapalawak o ekspansyon ng mga plantasyon. Kabilang dito ang ekspansyon ng oil palm plantations.
Isang milyong ektaryang grasslands sa Mindanao ang unti-unting itinatransporma upang maging oil palm estates gaya ng ginagawa sa Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, at mga rehiyon ng CARAGA at Northern Mindanao.

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The Oceans are in Trouble : Protecting Benham Rise

The oceans are in trouble, as ocean explorer, film maker and conservation advocate Alexandra Cousteau puts it.

A team of marine scientists found a dazzling array of soft and hard corals, fish, algae, and sponges in Benham Bank,during a week-long expedition in May 2016. They observed one hundred percent coral cover in several sites, with an impressive field of plate corals.

We saw terraces of corals, as far as the
eye could see. It’s so exciting to know that
we have such a vast and pristine coral reef
ecosystem within Philippine territory

said Marianne Pan-Saniano, marine scientist at Oceana Philippines.

Benham Bank key to food security.

Oceana senior advisor Alexandra Cousteau urged the government to ensure that the marine resources documented by scientists during the 2016 expedition would be protected from commercial exploitation even before their uses are fully known.

The rich biodiversity in Benham Bank – Benham Rise’s shallowest area – could aid in ensuring the country’s food security, according to a marine scientist.

“What’s amazing about Benham Bank is its coral coverage. The region offers a huge potential for food resources and is different from the typical corals that we see,” said marine scientist Marianne Pan-Saniano of Oceana Philippines.










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