Content about Environmental Issue

MANILA, Dec. 16, 2011—Three Mindanao bishops called on the government to protect and promote the interest of the people and not of mining companies.

Kidapawan Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Guetierrez and Digos Bishop Guillermo Afable, in a collective statement, urged for protection of the environment and promote sustainable development.

The prelates reiterated their opposition to the Tampakan Copper and Gold Project of London based XSTRATA/SMI, which has a $5.6 B worth of mining investment in the country.

Impossible scenarios or glimpses into the near future?  Scientists from Canada ’s Dalhousie University predict a collapse in fisheries by the year 2050.  The World Bank’s Philippine Water Monitor predicts a water crisis in 2025.  A contributing factor is the need to convert forests into plantations that supply food for the growing population. By 2030, it is predicted that fossil fuels which provide power and mobility to people from all walks of life will be in decline.

MASBATE CITY, Masbate (July 15, 2011) - A superbody that shall manage the utilization of the natural resources of this island province was launched by the provincial government in the face of reported rampant abuse of its marine, forest and mineral resources.

An executive order issued by Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete creates the Provincial Organization for Socio-Economic Development and Against Crime (POSDAC) that aims to counter widespread theft of marine products and minerals,including illegal logging.

Daet Camarines Norte (June 24, 2011) — The Governor of this province is still sore about a report by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional anti-logging task force that Camarines Norte is one of two Bicol provinces tagged as “hot bed” of illegal logging.

Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado reiterates that DENR executive regional director Joselin Marcus Fragada should have checked with his DENR provincial officer the real situation of timber theft at the Bicol National park portion of this province.

For the fifth year, millions across the globe last March 26 have turned off their lights for 60 minutes starting at 8:30 PM to join Earth Hour 2011. Known landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Christ the Redeemer statue at Rio de Janeiro, the Empire State Building in New York went dark to highlight the fight against climate change's adverse effects.

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 14  -— The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bikol has assured the public that it will take the lead in strictly implementing President Benigno Aquino III’s Executive Order (EO) 23 that places the entire country under an indefinite log ban.

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 29 2011 –- Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda has established the Climate Change Academy (CCA), a first of its kind in the country to provide focused competency development program for adaptation, disaster risk reduction and management.

The Climate Change Academy will hold environmental classes at the Bicol University campuses starting this year as stipulated in Executive Order No. 2011-02.

18 November -- Like missing teeth, the conspicuous gaps of treeless patches along the stretch of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is what  a unique tree planting project  wants to fill in  with aesthetically pleasing trees like  Golden Shower (Cassia fistula), Palawan Cherry (Prunus javanica),  Balitbitan (Cynometra ramiflora)  and Caballero (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).

Legazpi City (November 04 2010)  -- At a picket protest at the La Piazza Convention Center, the venue of the LGU Summit +3i, a multi-sectoral group questioned the sincerity of the sponsoring organization, the Center for Initiative and Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) and challenged the local government units to "walk their talk."