Environment

Cut in Magat Dam water allocation seen as precaution vs. El Niño

Cut in Magat Dam water allocation seen as precaution vs. El Niño

January 19, 2019, 7:11 pm

MANILA -- An expert sees a possible reduction in Magat Dam's water allocation during the first semester of 2019 as a way to minimize the effects of the drought-driving El Niño phenomenon. "Such reduction will help ensure availability of Magat water until this year's rainy season sets in,"… Read More

Group to screen poll bets' environmental stance

Group to screen poll bets' environmental stance

January 17, 2019, 8:53 pm

MANILA -- A group is planning to help raise public awareness about the May 2019 electoral candidates' stand on the environment. "Before this year's elections, we'll identify candidates with progressive environmental positions," Break Free from Plastic Movement coordinator, Von Hernandez, said in a… Read More

Climate change leads to stronger ocean waves

Climate change leads to stronger ocean waves

January 17, 2019, 12:54 pm

WASHINGTON -- Ocean waves are getting stronger as a result of climate change, which might pose dangers to coastal communities in the future, according to a latest study published in the scientific journal Nature. Researchers found that waves have increased in strength by 0.41 percent per year… Read More

Termites can help reduce impact of drought

Termites can help reduce impact of drought

January 14, 2019, 1:18 pm

SYDNEY -- A new study by international researchers has revealed for the first time that termites play a significant role in lessening the effects of drought in rainforests, showing once again that even the smallest players can have big effects on ecosystems. Termites are among the most abundant… Read More

Search for eco-schools highlights climate change

Search for eco-schools highlights climate change

January 12, 2019, 6:36 pm

MANILA – Climate change will be a major consideration in evaluating initiatives of schools joining the search for the country’s most sustainable and eco-friendly public and private elementary and high schools, as well as higher education institutions (HEIs) starting this year. “We’re… Read More

DENR to check on Manila Bay discharges

DENR to check on Manila Bay discharges

January 10, 2019, 7:38 pm

MANILA -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will tighten its campaign to clean up Manila Bay. Aside from assuring action against solid waste polluting Manila Bay, DENR said environment chief Roy Cimatu targets spearheading inspection of sewage outfalls and pipes there. The… Read More

Re-export of 51 containers of SoKor garbage set on Jan. 13

Re-export of 51 containers of SoKor garbage set on Jan. 13

January 8, 2019, 12:27 pm

MANILA -- The re-export of the 51 containers of South Korean garbage sitting at the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental will take place on Sunday, and not Wednesday as previously announced. The EcoWaste Coalition made the clarification after receiving an… Read More

SoCot's famed mountain lake closed for rehab

SoCot's famed mountain lake closed for rehab

January 7, 2019, 1:51 pm

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The municipal government of Tboli in South Cotabato shut down the famed crater-lake of Holon to visitors starting Monday, in line with its annual rehabilitation. The entire mountain lake and its environs were specifically declared off limits to trekking and other… Read More

DENR sets tightened crackdown vs. pollution in Manila Bay

DENR sets tightened crackdown vs. pollution in Manila Bay

December 20, 2018, 8:39 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will further intensify the crackdown on pollution in Manila Bay starting next year to help improve its quality and save the water body from further environmental degradation as the Supreme Court (SC) ordered. DENR is scheduled to… Read More

PH seeks more climate action for Coral Triangle

PH seeks more climate action for Coral Triangle

December 14, 2018, 8:15 pm

MANILA -- The Philippines sees the need for more international climate action that will better protect the 6 million-square kilometer Coral Triangle, the marine area experts cited as center of marine biodiversity on Earth. Philippine Environment chief Roy Cimatu raised the urgency for elevating… Read More

Regional cooperation key to protecting Coral Triangle -- Cimatu

Regional cooperation key to protecting Coral Triangle -- Cimatu

December 14, 2018, 2:54 pm

MANILA -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has called for strengthening of regional cooperation to protect the Coral Triangle and its marine resources from the devastating effects of climate change. Cimatu made the call during the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Coral… Read More

DENR chief seeks ways to raise NGP seedlings’ survival rate

DENR chief seeks ways to raise NGP seedlings’ survival rate

December 12, 2018, 9:08 pm

MANILA – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is targeting to raise, as soon as possible, the survival rate of tree seedlings planted under its National Greening Program (NGP), which is the biggest reforestation bid of the government so far. Such target aims to help… Read More

DENR to curb encroachment along Cordillera rivers

DENR to curb encroachment along Cordillera rivers

December 11, 2018, 8:48 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aims to enhance disaster risk reduction efforts in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to better promote public safety. DENR's CAR office is recommending, to LGUs concerned, demolition of structures encroaching on banks of… Read More

Expert backs creation of river councils

Expert backs creation of river councils

December 7, 2018, 9:35 am

MANILA -- An expert sees the need for a legislation mandating local government units (LGUs) to create councils that would manage rivers. "Rivers are sources of water for various uses, provide food, serve as transportation routes and are sites for tourism and research so these waterways must be… Read More

Raps await solid waste law violators even after their terms

Raps await solid waste law violators even after their terms

December 6, 2018, 9:11 pm

MANILA -- Local chief executives who fail to implement their respective areas approved 10-year solid waste management (SWM) plans will face charges, even after their incumbency, for violating Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000). Preparing and implementing such plans… Read More

Climate change may cause 3-fold increase in powerful storms:study

Climate change may cause 3-fold increase in powerful storms:study

November 28, 2018, 10:46 am

LONDON -- By the end of the 21st century, climate change could lead to a threefold increased in powerful storms that cause extreme weather conditions, such as flooding across Europe and North America, according to a study released on Tuesday by the University of Exeter. The study, led by a… Read More

UN warns CO2 emissions on rise for first time in 4 years

UN warns CO2 emissions on rise for first time in 4 years

November 28, 2018, 10:19 am

UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations on Tuesday called for more efforts to fight climate change as a new report showed global carbon dioxide emissions rose for the first time in four years. The 2018 Global Emissions Report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) showed that… Read More

Haikou feted as among first international wetland cities

Haikou feted as among first international wetland cities

November 9, 2018, 9:43 pm

HAIKOU, China -- Haikou has been feted for its ecological protection. The city won the honor of being among the first groups of international wetland cities at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the International Convention on Wetlands held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Oct.25 Eighteen… Read More

DENR sets climate-related activities this November

DENR sets climate-related activities this November

November 9, 2018, 9:34 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will hold this month certain activities that will help Philippine communities build resilience to climate change. "DENR offices in Metro Manila and regions nationwide will disseminate to the public information about climate… Read More

World's remaining wilderness rapidly vanishing

World's remaining wilderness rapidly vanishing

November 1, 2018, 1:15 pm

SYDNEY -- The remaining spots of wilderness in the world are rapidly disappearing, with explicit global conservation targets urgently needed to stem the loss, according to latest Australian-led research. "A century ago, only 15 percent of the Earth's surface was used by humans to grow crops and… Read More