May 6th, 2008 at 1:23 am (General, Environment, Davao City)
As a city known for landmark legislations for environmental protection, Davao City is now aiming to reduce its solid wastes by 70%
. The proposal of the executive department, represented by the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) is now awaiting the approval of the City Council.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:32 am (General, Environment, National Politics, Health, Human Rights, Elections 2010)
While the US Presidential Elections are already heating up with caucuses, debates, and rallies everywhere, the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections is also starting to get serious attention on the internet via the Filipino blogosphere.
Right now, the media has given a lot of focus on the selection of candidates, of both the administration and the opposition (not to mention the many others in between). Meanwhile, Janette Toral has tagged several bloggers to tackle the issues they feel should be included in the 2010 Agenda.
Off the top of my head, I can easily point out several, no, many issues that should be in the agenda of the candidates. But I feel like there are some that should be given more attention. Right now, here’s my short list:
January 15th, 2008 at 8:09 pm (General, Environment)
The Supreme Court has declared 117 trial courts as “environmental courts” that will be dedicated to cases that involve violations of laws protecting natural resources. The designation of these courts are aimed at speeding up the resolution of environmental cases. Moreover, the personnel of these courts and the appellate courts will undergo training to handle these cases.
Some of the laws that will be concerns of these courts are the Fisheries Code, the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Coconut Preservation Act, and the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:17 am (General, Environment, Davao City)
While the Regional Trial Court already declared Davao City’s Aerial Spray Ban as valid and constitutional, the Court of Appeals has now issued another Temporary Restraining Order on the ban.
November 17th, 2007 at 12:26 am (General, Environment, National Politics)
The mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) obliges it to be the “primary agency responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources.” Furthermore, the department is to have these objectives:
1.) Assure the availability and sustainability of the country’s natural resources through judicious use and systematic restoration or replacement, whenever possible;
2.) Increase the productivity of natural resources in order to meet the demands for forest, mineral, and land resources of a growing population;
3.) Enhance the contribution of natural resources for achieving national economic and social development;
4.) Promote equitable access to natural resources by the different sectors of the population;
5.) Conserve specific terrestrial and marine areas representative of the Philippine natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:22 am (General, Environment, Health, Davao City, Economics)
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) is now appealing the Regional Court’s decision on the constitutionality of Davao City’s ban on aerial spraying. PBGEA contends that the ban makes their plants susceptible to the Black Sigatoka Disease. They also argue that the ban will eventually lead to the death of the local banana industry.
October 14th, 2007 at 6:44 pm (General, Environment, Davao City)
The following is a revised version of the speech I made for Davao City Second District Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, Chairman on the Committee on Cooperatives’ Development and People’s Organizations. He delivered this last October 1, 2007 during the launch of the celebration of Cooperatives’ Month.
The government recognizes the vital role of cooperatives as venues for citizens’ participation and people empowerment. Cooperatives are accredited and supported by the government because we recognize that although we are here to serve and represent your interests and needs, we have limited capabilities and resources. Cooperatives, on the other hand, answer our community’s specific needs and interests at the grassroots level.
Cooperatives have the unique and important capacity to move our people of common interests towards a certain goal. It is a wonderful demonstration of how we can all work together to benefit each other and the community as a whole. It is a movement away from crab mentality. Rather, it is an illustration of bayanihan in the modern times. A positive path towards a Filipino people united working towards progress, development, peace, and prosperity. This month, we again call upon all cooperatives to demonstrate the Filipino virtue of bayanihan as we heed the call of this year’s Cooperatives Month Celebration. This year, we are guided by the theme “ Preserve the Environment, Sustain the Economy… Yes, Cooperatives Can!” The theme presents two very important challenges to our cooperatives.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:51 pm (General, Environment, Davao City, Writable Writes)
Today’s SunStar Davao Editorial debunks the argument of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) that the Ban on Aerial Spraying will have “dire economic effects”.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:47 pm (Environment, Davao City)
Last Tuesday, Davao City 1st District Council Peter Laviña delivered a privilege speech during the 15th City Council Session. He called the attention of the City Council on the effects of climate change on sea levels.
September 24th, 2007 at 9:13 pm (General, Environment, Davao City)
In yet another commendable move from the Davao City Council, the request of Robinsons Land land to reclassify part of Bago Gallera in Davao City into a medium density residential area was rejected. The area is currently classified as a low density protected residential area. It is protected because it sits on top of an aquifer. A low density classification allows 20 residential lots within a hectare, while a medium density classification allows 60 residential lots within a hectare.
