Environment

Top property developer joins Manila Bay rehab

MANILA--Government gained another partner for rehabilitating Manila Bay.The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday signed with integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) Inc. the memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizing the company’s participation in... Read More

Simultaneous MM river cleanup on March 31

MANILA --The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will spearhead a simultaneous cleanup of waterways draining into the Manila Bay on Sunday.Called the "Battle for the Rivers and Esteros", the simultaneous cleanup is among the activities to rehabilitate Manila Bay so it would again... Read More

Pangasinan irrigation not in peril despite El Niño

MANILA --Pangasinan province may face a two-month drought and delayed onset of this year's rainy season due to the El Niño phenomenon but will likely still get enough irrigation water for the upcoming planting season."San Roque Dam has much water and can well irrigate Pangasinan's fields... Read More

Reclamation bid not behind Manila Bay rehab: DILG exec

MANILA -- An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has dismissed speculations that the government is rehabilitating Manila Bay to pave the way for a reclamation project.“When the President (Rodrigo R. Duterte) decided to undertake the work, it was clear (that)... Read More

Freshwater coastal erosion alters global carbon budget: study

CHICAGO -- Shoreline erosion can transform freshwater wetlands from carbon-storage pools to carbon sources, according to a study led by researchers at Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois (UI).A news release posted on UI's... Read More

Impact of El Niño may worsen more in April

MANILA -- Drought-driving El Niño phenomenon may cause drier and warmer conditions nationwide this April.Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) said way-below normal rainfall in 26 provinces and below-normal rainfall in 57 provinces are possible next month.It... Read More

Ex-Cabinet members seek more rainwater harvesting

MANILA --Two former Cabinet officials are advocating more investments in rainwater harvesting nationwide to increase supply of water for agriculture and other uses while addressing disasters like flooding.The Philippines annually receives about 2,400 mm of rainfall -- one of the world's highest and... Read More

No MM water quota reduction yet

MANILA --Metro Manila may still receive its full share of water heading into April and May – the warmest months in this area -- amid the drought-driving El Niño phenomenon's continuing onslaught.National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director, Dr. Sevillo David Jr., said they... Read More

DENR beefs up efforts to protect forests, watersheds vs. fires

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is stepping up efforts to protect forests and watersheds, particularly in Bulacan, against fires which could be triggered by the extended dry season brought about by the El Niño.Some 200 forest and... Read More

Dry season begins: PAGASA

MANILA --The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday officially announced the onset of the dry season.The country will gradually become warmer, though isolated thunderstorms are likely to occur, it said.PAGASA Administrator Vicente Manalo, in a... Read More

Experts advocate water demand management

MANILA -- Various experts raised the urgency for water demand management in the country to help guard against adverse situations, such as the water shortage gripping private concessionaire Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI)."What we usually look at is supply and need to increase this but we must also... Read More

Task force demolishes defiant Boracay resort

MANILA-- The government’s inter-agency task force on Tuesday dismantled a Boracay resort, which failed to heed orders to self-demolish for violating the 30-meter easement rule, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).The DENR-led Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force... Read More

Expert seeks water sector's harmonization

MANILA -- An expert sees to need harmonize functions of the agencies comprising the country's water sector.Such harmonization will help improve management of water resourcesnationwide, noted Exec. Dir. Dr. Sevillo David Jr. of National WaterResources Board (NWRB), the agency responsible for all... Read More

Online game to boost forest advocacy

MANILA -- An online game offering a PHP100,000 prize aims to help promote knowledge and activities that will benefit forests nationwide.Local app-based trivia game show, "Paydro Live", will feature this Thursday (March 21) questions on the country's forests so people can learn more about these... Read More

Marine animals killed by plastic alarm environmentalist

MANILA -- An environmentalist has called for immediate ‘large-scale’ action against plastic pollution after a young whale was found dead on the shores of Compostela Valley with 40kgs of plastic in its stomach on March 15.“The frequency of which marine animals are dying due to... Read More

Group opposes QC garbage incinerator plan

MANILA -- An environmental group on Wednesday opposed the plan of the Quezon City government to put up a waste-to-energy facility with the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Covanta Energy, LLC and the Macquarie Group, Ltd.In a statement, No Burn Pilipinas (NBP) denounced the Quezon City government... Read More

Barangays to help clean up Tullahan River

MANILA --Villages (barangays) along Tullahan River and its tributaries will formally join the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in cleaning up these waterways.These local government units (LGUs) will simultaneously sign next week their respective agreements, spelling out their... Read More

Wildlife trafficking needs tougher international response

MANILA --An expert raised urgency for tighter international collaboration against wildlife trafficking.Wildlife trafficking is a multi-million dollar illicit business activity that's able to transcend national borders for being embedded in legal trade, noted Department of Environment and Natural... Read More

World Wildlife Day focuses on ‘life below water’ for first time

MANILA --The environment department's Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) is calling on all sectors to further help conserve wildlife nationwide and protect it from illegal trade, environmental degradation and other threats."Humans, being the highest form of life, are tasked to protect, conserve... Read More

Barangays need to liquidate MRF funds or face raps

MANILA --Villages (barangays) in the National Capital Region (NCR) will face sanctions if they fail to liquidate the funds received for the establishment of their respective materials recovery facilities (MRFs).Liquidating the funds is among obligations of such local government units (LGUs), said... Read More