Invasive alien species harmful to environment
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, April 2 (PIA) -- The aliens are here. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 7 is currently undertaking an inventory of the invasive alien species (IAS) within the 28,312-hectare Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).
“Through premeditated and unintentional introductions, many alien species have successfully invaded natural and human-altered habitats,” said DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso.
Invasive alien species are species introduced deliberately or unintentionally outside their natural habitats where they have the ability to establish themselves, invade, or compete and take over the new environments.
They generally share common characteristics which can make them difficult to manage and contain including higher rates of reproduction, fewer natural predators, and ability to thrive in different environments.
Meanwhile, the same survey will also be conducted in Lake Balinsasayao in Negros Oriental.
The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)’s Global Invasive Database (GISD) lists 47 alien species that have been introduced to the Philippines.
Of the total, the identified seven worst invasive plant species are, namely: Chromolaena odorata or hagonoy, Eichhomia crassipes or water hyacinth, Hiptage benghalensis or helicopter flower, Imperata cylindrical or blady grass or cogon, Lantana camara or iring-iring or kantutay, Leucocephala or ipil-ipil, and Mikania micrantha or bittervine.
Dichoso said IAS can negatively impact biodiversity, species extirpation and even extinction, soil degradation or erosion, and reduce productivity in forestry, agricultural, and fishing sectors.
Project National Study head Dr. Carmelita Villamor leads the inventory with Protected Area Superintendent Regie Bueno and technical staff from the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDD) and Protected Area, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS).
The Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) under Republic Act No. 9486 which was approved on June 7, 2007 covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares.
The protected area consists of the Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve, Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.(rmn-PIA 7/HFG-DENR 7)
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Cebu City VM leads Cebu’s Earth Hour campaign
CEBU CITY, April 2 (PIA) -- Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young led city officials and other multi-sectoral participants for the ceremonial power switch-off in observance of the Earth Hour campaign here last Saturday, March 31 at the Plaza Independencia.
The biggest volume of attendees came from the Aboitiz Group of Companies with over 330 participants that include from the Visayan Electric Company and the Metaphil Export.
An estimated over 500 crowd gathered at the Plaza Independencia mostly from various women’s groups and non-government organizations. Hundreds of spectators also stopped to watch the short program prior to the actual one-hour power switch-off.
Also present to express their support to the movement for energy conservation and environment care were Cebuana beauty queens. They likewise gave their commitment to contribute in preserving the environment.
At exactly 8:30 p.m., Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young together with Cebu City Representative Cutie del Mar, Aboitiz Group of Companies President and CEO Eramon Aboitiz and World Wide Fund-Philippines Climate Change Director Atty. Gia Ibay led the nationwide simultaneous one-hour power switch off ceremonies in Cebu.
As total darkness engulfed the entire Plaza Independencia, hundreds of lighted sky lanterns were being released into the air. The plaza was only lit by the candles held by the people in the area.
Aboitiz said the little action we do such as joining the Earth Hour campaign can already contribute so much in conserving energy and protecting the environment. Aboitiz is one of the major sponsors of Earth Hour in Cebu.
“Let us start to develop the habit of energy conservation and environmental protection. Let us stand united and be one in our goal to develop the environment for a brighter future,” Aboitiz said.
Prior to the ceremonial power switch-off at Plaza Independencia, the participants held a ‘Walk for Earth Hour’ at 5:30 p.m. last Saturday from Fuente Osmena to the plaza.
Cebu was one of the three sites nationwide along with Davao City and Makati City for the simultaneous power switch-off ceremonies. (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)
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Heightened police visibility to decrease crimes during Holy Week, PNP 7 says
CEBU CITY, April 2 (PIA) -- With heightened police visibility during the Holy Week, police officials in the region remain confident that crime statistics will go down during the Lenten period.
S/Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr., chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management (RIDM) of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said that though they do not have the data to show the comparative figures on crime incidence during the Holy Week period in previous years, criminal elements will have difficulty in penetrating would-be victims due to heightened police visibility.
Natuel, however, urged the public to be vigilant against suspicious characters.
“It is always better that when you travel back to your home provinces or visit churches or religious areas, you should not wear jewelries because you are giving criminals the opportunity to commit crimes,” disclosed Natuel.
“Do not also bring too much cash with you,” he added.
S/Supt. Orlando Ualat, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff of PRO 7 agreed. “We have over 350 public assistance centers in convergent areas such as seaports, bus terminals, airports, churches, shopping malls and areas frequented by tourists to assist travelers and to basically provide safety and security to the public,” claimed Ualat.
“We are also placing tarpaulins with police hotline numbers in strategic areas to urge the public to immediately report any suspicious people within the vicinity or any untoward incidents,” Ualat said.
Natuel on the other hand, said application of vacation leaves of policemen within the summer period is limited.
“Apart from Oplan Semana Santa, we have also launched the Oplan Summer Vacation 2012 and Oplan Bantay-Lakbay which aims to strengthen security measures in areas mostly frequented by tourists with the onset of the summer break,” Natuel disclosed. (PIA-Cebu)