DENR-7 urges communities to keep Olango Island garbage free
By: Hazel F. Gloria
OLANGO ISLAND, Lapulapu City, June 22 (PIA) --- The department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas urges communities, local and foreign tourists to keep the 1028-hectare Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary garbage free.
“We should maintain the sanctuary clean from trash or garbage as it serves as forage ground for migratory birds and we should do away with practices that harm the environment and our health,” DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said.
Dichoso urged the local government unit of Lapulapu City and the barangay officials to provide strategically located waste receptacles that would, all together, push segregation of trash.
Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Lapulapu City which spreads over an area of 1,028 hectares is the Philippines first wetland of international importance for waterfowl and covers vast mangrove forest.
According to Dichoso, it is important that the public will now seriously consider reducing their garbage, especially those that are not recyclable and biodegradable, as it could be a major cause of flooding during heavy rains.
He likewise encourages the public to take the following initiatives in caring for the environment while enjoying the visit at the Olango Island Wildlife Santuary.
First is to bring separate trash bags for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste then minimize trash by using re-usable utensils, the environment chief advised visitors Olango.
Bring only sufficient amount of food and drinks placed in reusable or recyclable containers and guests must bring home any leftovers for reheating, pet food, or compost material, he said.
"Last thing is do not burn the garbage as it will contribute to air pollution, " Dichoso said.
Let us make Olango Island a clean, garbage free wetlands so that migratory birds such as the Asian Asian Dowitcher, Chinese Egret, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Red Knot, among others will continuously come to forage and breed at the wildlife sanctuary, Dichoso concluded. (PIA-7/HFG & DENR-7)
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Child Nutrition Program key to ensure healthy school children, senator says
CEBU CITY, June 22 (PIA) --- In line with the preparations taken for the incoming Nutrition Month celebration, Senator Loren Legarda has called for the establishment of a child nutrition program in all public schools nationwide to address problems on food insecurity and malnutrition among school children.
The call was made after the Department of Health’s appeal to parents to let their children bring nutritious foods to school.
The senator reiterated the importance of establishing a complementary feeding program in schools to ensure access to food supplements that will help school children improve their health status.
"In addressing food insecurity, we must prioritize the needs of children who are most affected because they are the most vulnerable components of society. In fact, statistics from the DOH show that an estimated 50% of pupils are anemic, two out of ten children are iodine-deficient, and about 44.9% of schoolchildren suffer from malnutrition," Legarda said.
She added that the same report also revealed that four out of 100 pre-schoolers have night blindness, 84.3% of school children suffer from dental caries, and 75% from intestinal parasitism
In October last year, Senator Legarda filed the senate bill 2561 which mandates a child nutrition program in all public elementary schools and barangay day care centers nationwide.(PIA-7/mbcn/Maryknoll B. Lague & reports from the office of Senator Legarda)
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Economic dev’t committee identifies program areas of collaboration, convergence
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, June 22 (PIA) --- The economic development committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC-EDC) in Central Visayas has identified two (2) priority program areas of synergy and cooperation in alignment with the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan (CV-RDP).
The areas of synergy and cooperation include the development of the local tourism sector as a market for the products of the Micro, Cottage, Small and Medium Enterprises (MCSME) and small farmers and fisher folks.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have started partnership on this sector.
Another area of convergence is the strengthening of the roles of the local government units in the region in local economic development through streamlined business process licensing and extension of technical assistance.
The DTI and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) have also partnered on this area.
The EDC technical working group noted that the priority programs convergence is due to their support to the three regional development plan themes of economic growth; access to development opportunities and development support systems.
Specifically, the economic development committee prefers to work on projects that strengthen development institutions in the national and local government and the private sector.
Projects that will help remove impediments in promoting economic growth driven by the MCSME and tourism that have strong linkages with the vulnerable rural and environment sector.
DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said that the EDC must also select projects that have strong linkages to the foreign markets through tourism, exports and prospective foreign investors.
Caberte also noted the importance of collaboration in programs whose results are potentially high broad-based employment generation because of their inter industry, inter-sectoral and inter spatial linkages.
“This is the dynamics we want to start at the EDC, with a couple of projects that we can support,” Caberte added.
The lead agencies of the projects, i.e. DTI-7 and DILG-7 will discuss the activities and sector collaboration and any support requested from the EDC member agencies and or the committee will be presented for possible endorsement to the RDC full council for its support. (PIA-7/mbcn)
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Economic dev’t committee identifies program areas of collaboration, convergence
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, June 22 (PIA) --- The economic development committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC-EDC) in Central Visayas has identified two (2) priority program areas of synergy and cooperation in alignment with the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan (CV-RDP).
The areas of synergy and cooperation include the development of the local tourism sector as a market for the products of the Micro, Cottage, Small and Medium Enterprises (MCSME) and small farmers and fisher folks.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have started partnership on this sector.
Another area of convergence is the strengthening of the roles of the local government units in the region in local economic development through streamlined business process licensing and extension of technical assistance.
The DTI and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) have also partnered on this area.
The EDC technical working group noted that the priority programs convergence is due to their support to the three regional development plan themes of economic growth; access to development opportunities and development support systems.
Specifically, the economic development committee prefers to work on projects that strengthen development institutions in the national and local government and the private sector.
Projects that will help remove impediments in promoting economic growth driven by the MCSME and tourism that have strong linkages with the vulnerable rural and environment sector.
DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said that the EDC must also select projects that have strong linkages to the foreign markets through tourism, exports and prospective foreign investors.
Caberte also noted the importance of collaboration in programs whose results are potentially high broad-based employment generation because of their inter industry, inter-sectoral and inter spatial linkages.
“This is the dynamics we want to start at the EDC, with a couple of projects that we can support,” Caberte added.
The lead agencies of the projects, i.e. DTI-7 and DILG-7 will discuss the activities and sector collaboration and any support requested from the EDC member agencies and or the committee will be presented for possible endorsement to the RDC full council for its support. (PIA-7/mbcn)
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10T more mangroves planted in Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary
By: Hazel F. Gloria
LAPULAPU CITY, Cebu June 22 (PIA) --- Employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas, students and other local government officials planted over 10T mangrove propagules yesterday that covered about 10,000 square meters of coastlines within the 1,028-hectare Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Lapulapu City.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said, we want to ensure the integrity of the coastal resources by way of mangrove tree planting and coastal cleanup activities and soliciting the help of the communities and other stakeholders.
“Mangroves are salt tolerant, woody, seed-bearing plants ranging in size from small shrubs to tall trees. They occur along sheltered inter-tidal coastlines and in association with estuaries and lagoons,” Dichoso explained.
Although mangroves occur on saline soils they have the usual plant requirements of freshwater, nutrients, and oxygen, Dichoso continued.
The Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Lapulapu City is the Philippines first wetland of international importance for waterfowl and covers vast mangrove forest.
According to DENR 1995 statistics, conversion to fishponds, prawn farms, salt ponds, reclamation and other forms of industrial development had reduced the mangrove area to 117,700 hectares, from 450,000 hectares in 1918.
Out of 70 mangrove tree species in the world, 34 occur in the Philippines, and one hectare of mangrove trees produces up to 3.6 tons of litter fall annually, DENR said.
"One hectare of healthy mangrove ecosystem produces about 1.08 tons of fish per year," Dichoso added.
DENR explains that mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish, prawns and crabs, and support fisheries production in coastal waters.
They also protect the environment by protecting coastal areas and communities from storm surges, waves, tidal currents and typhoons.
Mangroves produce organic biomass (carbon) as well and reduce organic pollution in near shore areas by trapping or absorption.
According to DENR, mangroves contribute 1,800-4,200 grams of carbon per square meter per year, approximately the contribution of the tropical rain forest and 10 times higher than primary production in the open ocean.
Dichoso said, “we want to convey the message that mangroves provide shelter for local and migratory wildlife and serve as their roosting and foraging grounds. That is why we really have to protect them.”
From September to November, thousands of shorebirds migrate to Olango and farther south to Australia and New Zealand after breeding in China, Russia and Alaska following the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
Soon after winter, from March to May, the shorebirds begin their northward migration and thousands of them pass by Olango en route to the breeding areas in the northern hemisphere.
The most notable shorebirds found in Olango are the Asian Dowitcher, Chinese Egret, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Red Knot, among others.
The mangrove tree planting and coastal cleanup is one of the features of the environment month 2011 celebration with theme: Forests: Nature at your service.(PIA-7/HFG/DENR-7)
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PEEF to conduct 2nd PHL energy efficiency forum on July 19 & 26
By: Minerva BC Newman
CEBU, June 22 (PIA) ---- The Philippines’ Pioneering Event in Energy Efficiency (PEEF) is set to conduct the 2nd PHL Energy Efficiency Forum and Exhibition on July 19 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila and on July 26 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug.
The event aims to convene key decision makers and business leaders from the energy, commercial and industrial sectors and enlist top management commitment to implement energy efficiency programs at the enterprise level.
It also wants to strengthen partnerships and broadening alliances with various stakeholders in the private sector, government, civil society, academe and international organizations and promote greater visibility for innovative approaches and sustainable solutions to energy efficiency.
PEEF’s goal is to be able to contribute to the national efforts towards energy security and low carbon future through energy efficiency, the release reads.
Expected participants are exhibitors, speakers and representatives from media and from the various sectors that include appliance; electronic, equipment and building manufacturers and suppliers.
The organizers also invited suppliers and developers of energy-efficient technologies; electricity, gas, oil and other fuel suppliers; infrastructure, alternative fuels and service suppliers; government agencies; academe; industry, environment organizations and other vehicle and equipment manufacturers.
According to the PEEF, the event has unique characteristics because it focuses solely on energy efficiency from the business perspective of enterprises in the utilities, buildings, commercial, industrial, and transport/ logistics sectors.
It also provides participants with the opportunity to learn and share state of the art and cutting edge technologies, and best practices in energy management and the opportunity to network and forge business partnership among the attendees.
Most importantly, it has a Technology Showcase that features a wide range of energy efficient products and energy management solutions.
This “Technology Showcase” is an exhibition of the latest technologies in energy-efficient products and services and offers an exclusive opportunity to connect with businesses, investors, policymakers and other key decision makers in one location as well as highlights strategies for developing energy efficiency solutions.
The plenary sessions carry topics on energy and environment with international experts and key figures in PHL business as speakers and resource persons.
The topics are divided into four sessions: The first session tackle the Public-Private Partnerships in Energy Efficiency; Energy Smart Program & EU Switch Asia Projects; Introducing National Energy Management Standard in the Philippines and the ASEAN Energy Management Accreditation Scheme (AEMAS)
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Session 2 will discuss Energy Management Technologies and Best Practices: Case studies on Energy Efficient Lighting); Philips Lighting Asia Pacific; Smart Grids; European Experience of White Certificate Scheme; Clean Fleet Management; Waste Heat Recovery & CHP-Combined Heat and Power; Energy Efficient HVAC Technologies; and Energy Efficient Manufacturing Plants.
Session 3 will talk about Financing Energy Efficiency Projects: Financing Energy Efficiency Projects through Banks; and Financing through Performance Contracting /ESCO Service.
Session 4, on Energy Conservation and Water Conservation: The Energy and Water Foot prints - where do we go from here?
There will be moderated open forums and friendly discussions at the end of each session.
For details contact Cahea Ang at cahea@eccp.com or call (032) 412-6702 or go to www.eccp.com. (PIA-7/mbcn with reports from PEEF)
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Over 400 women attend cervical cancer fora in Cebu
By: Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, June 22 (PIA) --- A total of 428 women attended the series of cervical cancer fora that the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center organized in celebration of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in May in collaboration with the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center OB-GYN Department, She Matters Foundation, Philippine Postal Office, and the local government units of Mandaue City and Consolacion, Cebu.
With the aim of educating women on the importance of early cancer detection and prevention, the fora brought speakers that included Dr. Kathy Demiren at EJACC on May 7; Dr. Hara Jane Fetalvero at Mandaue City on May 12; Dr. Adeline Linawagan at Consolcacion, Cebu and Paradise Village, Mandaue City on May 14 and 17 respectively; and Dr. Kristie Diane Merilles at the Philippine Postal Office on May 26.
According to the resource speakers, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. It is strongly associated with sexual activity and one of the causes is the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually.
They pointed out that one can take preventive measures by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, exercise, proper hygiene, avoiding stresses and vices, using barrier contraceptives, maintaining monogamous sexual relationships, and HPV vaccination.
Cervical cancer can be detected through various screenings such as pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid, colposcopy, HPV testing, and single visit approach (SVA). It can be treated through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy
Leonides Chiong, one of the participants, said that the forum on cervical cancer helped her understand more about the disease and answered her fears on symptoms of cancer. (PIA-7/mbcn/hfg & RAFI)
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Two sites in Cebu eyed for wind energy
as DOE reviews applications of developer
by Fayette C. Riñen
‘DOE takes on aggressive campaign on Renewable Energy Program’
CEBU CITY, June 22 (PIA) – The Department of Energy - Renewable Energy Management Bureau (DOE-REMB) in Manila is currently evaluating the applications of a developer interested to invest inwind energy projects for power generation in the Municipality of Argao and Toledo City in Cebu.
DOE-REMB Assistant Director Atty. Marissa Cerezo in this morning’s Kapihan sa PIA that featured the Philippine National Renewable Energy Program bared the applications of the developer to exploit wind energy in two areas in the province of Cebu are under review.
“Before we award the service contract to interested developers, we have yet to determine if all the requirements are in proper order and that they have the capacity to fully invest technically, financially and legally,” Cerezo said.
Amihan Energy Corporation, the company that applied for contracts to harness the potentials of wind as a renewable source of energy in southern Argao town and Toledo City located southwest of Cebu, plans to spend P27 million alone for the pre-development stage, this is learned.
In Argao, the project is called the ‘Argao-Dalaguete-Alcoy-Boljoon-Oslob Wind Power Project’ while in Toledo City is dubbed the ‘Cebu-Toledo-Balamban-Minglanilla-Talisay Wind Power Project.’
There are 57 pending wind applications that are presently being evaluated by the DOE-REMB throughout the country, according to the agency’s record on the list of applications.
Out of the 57 applications for wind energy projects, three sites are eyed by developers in Central Visayas of which two areas come from Cebu and another in Siquijor, the same list contained.
Cerezon said that after a thorough check of all the requirements of interested developers, they either approve the service contract or ask them to complete the necessary requirements in which case, developers are given only a 30-day deadline to submit the necessary requirements.
“Failure to submit the necessary documents after the 30-day period forfeits them the right to proceed with their project. This is done to give other interested developers the opportunity to harness sources of renewable energy,” according to Cerezo.
Cerezo said Cebu has huge potentials for wind, solar and biomass as alternative sources to tap energy as the country envisions multiplying three-folds the present capacity of 5,400 megawatts in the usage of renewable energy sources nationwide to 16,200 megawatts by 2030. (PIA 7-Cebu)
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LGUs urged to tap RE sources in their areas, DOE-Visayas says
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, June 22 (PIA) – Local government units (LGUs) are urged to explore the possibilities of tapping renewable energy (RE) sources in their respective areas as the paradigm shift today to achieve energy security in the long term approach is to use green technology.
Engr. Ed Amante, the chief of the Energy Resource Development of the Department of Energy(DOE) - Visayas said LGUs can greatly contribute to the thrust of the National Government to harness the potentials of RE sources like wind, solar, hydro, ocean and biomass as they have personal knowledge on the capacity of such RE sources in their localities.
“LGUs have the vast knowledge on the capacities of their areas for RE sources. They can approach our office anytime if they want to know the guidelines or they need assistance on how to go about it,” Amante said.
The DOE last week launched the Philippine National Renewable Energy Program with the end-goal of lessening the country’s dependence on fossil fuel and adopt alternative sources of energy to attain energy self sufficiency and sustainability.
At present, the country taps about 5,400 megawatts of energy from RE sources like geothermal and hopes to triple the capacity use to 16,200 megawatts by 2030, Atty. Marissa Cerezo, assistant director of the DOE- RE Management Bureau bared during the PIA Kapihan that tackled the program.
In order to accelerate the exploration and development of RE resources, the government is providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to investors. Fiscal incentives include a seven-yearincome tax holiday, corporate tax rate, 10-year exemption from tariff duties and tax exemption oncarbon credits while non-fiscal provisions include priority connection to the grid, priority purchase and transmission of and payment for by the grid system operators, fixed tariff for at least 12 years and mandatory utilization of RE generation system in on-grid systems.
Amante said the Municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island has expressed interest in exploring the possibilities of tapping wind, hydro or solar in their area and is asking their office for assistance.
The town of Ginatilan in southern Cebu is also eyeing the possibility of harnessing the potential of hydropower in their municipality, Amante declared.
Amante however, said there are three existing hydro sites in Cebu; two in Badian Island located in Kawasan and Basak with 750 kilowatts capacity and one in the town of Barili.
Cerezo on the other hand, said they have awarded one hydro power plant project in Cebu to a developer but did not give further details.
The DOE-Visayas official said LGUs can claim incentives under the program as specified in the law and that to fund the pre-development stage of the exploration project, they could avail of a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.
“The Land Bank of the Philippines offers loans to LGUs specific to the program up to 50 percent of the total funding or not more than P5M at most,” Amante disclosed.
Cerezo meanwhile, is pushing for the public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives as the practical and effective strategy to boost potentials of RE resources in the country.
“Government’s role is to look for investors and provide a market for them while the private sector is vital in financing the RE projects,” Cerezo said.
“As of now, the DOE has awarded more than 200 contracts in RE projects nationwide and that in three years’ time, we intend to increase the capacity in the use of RE sources,” Cerezo added.
Although the DOE official admitted that it is not that easy to abandon the use of fossil fuel but little by little and in time, the only solution to energy efficiency is tapping alternative resources. (PIA 7-Cebu)