SBMA board to impose limit on environmentally sensitive projects

“Through a board resolution, the (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) Board of Directors will declare whether or not the project is environmentally sensitive, or is in compliance within the parameters of acceptable levels of emissions.”

This sums up the decision of the board, SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said, as SBMA aims to implement stricter standards to safeguard the Subic Bay Freeport from pollution.

The action ensures that all projects, which are to be built inside the free port zone, particularly environmentally sensitive projects (ESPs), are acceptable to various stakeholders.

ESPs are projects that are determined to emit pollutants, which may have a potential impact on the natural resources, and the health of the people living or working in the area.

These pollutants include emissions, effluents, sound or visual from the proposed project that may deteriorate the health of the people, the forests and the animals living there, the bay waters, creeks, ground water, and air, among others.

Under this system, if the proposed project is considered an ESP, the SBMA Ecology Center will independently verify all of the project pollutants, the natural resource impacts, and extent of the proponent’s mitigating measures. All data gathered will be presented to the SBMA Board.

Stakeholder groups, consisting of representatives or officers of housing areas, Freeport workers’ associations, and the indigenous people’s tribal council will be invited to public consultations on ESPs where inputs about the results of the verification process will be presented.

Based on the evaluation “of the totality of acceptability ratings from the various stakeholders of the Freeport,” the SBMA Board shall declare whether or not the project is socially acceptable.

In any case where the project is declared not socially acceptable, the proponents will be advised to redesign the project or its mitigating measures to meet a level acceptable to stakeholders. Meanwhile, its permit to operate will be withheld.

“This way, the stakeholders are given a sense of participation in truly preserving the unique environmental feature of the Freeport, which is one of the major attractions of Subic’s tourism industry,” Garcia said.

The law that created the Freeport and the SBMA mandates the latter to protect, maintain, and develop the virgin forests into a national park by implementing the rules and regulation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The issuance of stricter standards, through the implementation of a policy on ESPs, will help the SBMA in realizing its mandates of protecting and preserving the environment.(by Allen M. Villa-PIA 3/SBMA PRD)

Mt. Tapulao Eco-Tourism park

IBA, Zambales — Local government here is optimistic to boost the tourism industry once Mt. Tupulao facilities are developed into a tourism park which four foreign investors pledged to invest $1 million for the tourism park in the province.

Earlier, Iba, Zambales Mayor Herbert Deloso and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Luzon Director Ricardo Calderon signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the protection and development of the 5,000-hectare Mt. Tapulao. Mt.Tapulao is one of the highest peaks in the province of Zambales that has the potential premier eco-tourism destination not only in the province but also in Central Luzon.

DENR employee, driver ambushed in Castillejos

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales -- An employee of CENRO-DENR, Olongapo City and his driver were in critical condition when they were ambushed by two unidentified suspects riding in a motorcycle in Bgy. Nagbunga, this town, Wednesday afternoon.

The victims were identified as Arturo Galpo, 56, nursery farm supervisor, CENRO-DENR, Olongapo City and his driver, Eduardo Lachica, 63.

They sustained multiple gunshot wounds in their body from caliber 45 pistol and are being treated at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City.

Report said at about 5:30 p.m., the victims were on their way home from their work in San Felipe, Zambales. Upon reaching Bgy. Nagbunga the riding in tandem suspects overtook their owner-type jeep (PAI-409) and peppered them with bullets.

The Zambales Police are still conducting investigation to identify the suspects. Mamer Bañez - journal.com.ph

MANGROVE REFORESTATION 2011

The Agriculture Office of Olongapo City has initiated planting four hundred (400) propagules of mangroves to cover 1,000 sq. m. along the channel at Bgy. New Banicain, Olongapo City.

Biology students from Ateneo de Manila University joined the activity which was also participated in by the City Mayor’s Office, DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), Maritime Group and DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government).

PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel, CENRO (Commission on Environment and Natural Resources Office, CFARMC (City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Parks and Plaza, ESMO, PAO-Public Affairs Office, CPDO (City Planning and Development Office), Fire Fighters, also, Bgy. New Banicain, Military Reservists and ROTC students also supported the activity.

Leonardo Sibaluca, DENR-7 Regional Director in an interview said, “we want to ensure the integrity of our coastal clean-up activities."

“Mangrove is a type of forest growing along tidal mud-flats and along shallow water coastal areas extending inland along rivers, streams and their tributaries where the water is generally salty,” he added.

According to DENR 1995 statistics, conversion to fishponds prawn farms, salt pond, reclamation and other forms of industrial development has reduced the mangrove area to 117,700 hectares.

"Mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish, prawn and crabs, and support fisheries production in coastal waters," said Jhobal Sebarrotin, city agriculturist.

"They also protect the environment and coastal areas and communities from storm surges, waves, tidal currents and typhoons," he added.

The main importance of Mangroves is that it purifies water, reduce air pollution, according to Baby Sebial, DENR representative of Olongapo City and Zambales.

Sibaluca said, “we want to convey the message that mangrove provide shelter for local and migratory wildlife and serve as roosting and forging grounds that is why we really have to protect them.”

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. is encouraging Olongapeños to be active in planting mangrove trees to revive the beauty of nature to attract visitors to come which will boost tourism in the city.

This activity is in line with Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.’s project HELPS.

“To stabilize the river bank to avoid soil erosion and revive the lovely nature of the city, we should plant and take care and monitor mangrove trees," according to Sebarrotin.

pao/ndm/

Free Lot Survey until August 18

The Cadastral survey project, a priority project of the City Government of Olongapo under the Administration of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., is now 95% completed as per contract. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) funded the project thru the efforts of Senator Richard J. Gordon.

AB Surveying & Development, the contractor of the said project, is continuing its task according to the schedule already formulated.

The cadastral lot survey started last April 10, 2010 and will continue until August 18, 2010. Lot owners or occupants are adviced to await the surveying team in their respective places. Here are the list of remaining barangays to be surveyed and the corresponding schedule:

July 9 West Tapinac

July 19 New Kababae

July 29 New Ilalim

August 8 Banicain

August 18 Sta. Rita

Cadastral Survey is a lot survey which measures the length of the lot and determines who the owner is. This aims at measuring boundaries of lots, barangays, municipalities, provinces, and Forest Area which canl be the basis for land titling. With this, land titling process will be much easier. In addition, problems regarding land boundaries will be easier to resolve.

The process is easy to follow. Prepare necessary documents such as tax declaration or Miscellaneous Sales Application and present it to the AB Surveying and Development team that will visit your place. The cadastral survey project is FREE!

CADASTRAL SURVEY IN OLONGAPO CITY

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III in coordination with the City Government of Olongapo headed by Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. is calling on residents to cooperate on the cadastral survey of the remaining unsurveyed areas of the city.

The cadastral project is funded by Senator Richard Gordon through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), thus, no single centavo will be spent by the landowner.

Cadastral Survey is just one of the many projects of the City Government of under the administration of Mayor Gordon. The funding source of the project is Senator Richard J. Gordon through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Cadastral surveys are a type of land survey to determine land ownership and boundaries. Cadastral surveys are usually conducted by the government and residents are not asked to pay for the surveying.

It measures boundaries of private lands, boundaries of the different barangays, municipalities and provinces and boundaries of “Forest Area” which cannot be acquired by anyone.

Lot owners may expect for a representative from AB Surveying and Development for the lot survey. They may ask for any of the following documents: Tax declaration, Miscellaneous Sales Application. Show the documents to the surveyor for reference. The survey is FREE. The local government is expecting the full cooperation of every resident of Olongapo in this project.

Schedule of meetings regarding the Cadastral Lot Survey:

JUNE 29, 2010 Brgy. PAG-ASA

JULY 9, 2010 Brgy. WEST TAPINAC

JULY 29, 2010 Brgy. NEW ILALIM

AUGUST 8, 2010 Brgy. BANICAIN

AUGUST 18, 2010 Brgy. STA. RITA

For more information on the Cadastral Survey Project, visit the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) or the office of AB Surveying and Development at #25 Jones St., New Asinan, Olongapo City.

Cadastral Project of Olongapo City Starts

The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) in cooperation with AB Surveying and Development, the cadastral project contractor, is conducting the Barangay pulong-pulong or consultation meeting today, February 2 until 5 and on February 8-12, 2010 to inform Olongapeños about the cadastral project in the city prior to the start of their survey.

“Ang kadastro ay isang uri ng pagsusukat upang malaman ang hangganan ng lupa at upang malaman din kung sino ang may-ari ng nasabing lupain. Kadalasan, ang kadastro ay isinasagawa ng isang ahensya ng pamahalaan lalung lalo na ang Land Management Bureau (LMB) ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),” Engr. Marivic Nierras, CPDO Officer-In-Charge, explained.

“Layunin ng kadastro na magkaroon ng pangmalawakang pagsusukat ng mga hangganan ng mga pribadong lupa, hangganan ng bawat baranagy, munisipyo, lungsod at probinsya. Dito rin nalalaman ang hangganan ng mga kagubatan o forest area, timberland o reserved area na hindi pwedeng maging pagmamay-ari ng isang indibidwal, korporasyon o sinumang gustong magkaroon ng lupain,” Nierras added.

“Kapag ang isang lugar ay sumasailalim sa kadastro o cadastral project, lahat ng hangganan ng lupain ay sinusukat upang ito ay maging basehan ng pagpapatitulo ng mga lupa. Sadyang napakahalaga nito sapagkat ito ang unang hakbang para magkaroon ng titulo ang lupa. Bukod pa rito, ito ay libre para sa mga Olongapeño dahil ito ay ginagastusan ng pamahalaang lungsod sa tulong ni Senator Richard Gordon na ngayon ay tumatakbo bilang pangulo ng bansa,” said Mayor Bong Gordon.

The following are the schedule of Barangay pulong-pulong:

For details and inquiries about the cadastral project, visit any of the following agencies: your respective barangay offices, the CPDO, DENR-LMS at San Fernando, Pampanga or AB Surveying and Development at no. 25 Jones St. New Asinan Olongapo City.

Pao/sara/

SANGGUNIAN ADOPTED THE ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Olongapo City adopted the ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY as proposed by the Environmental Sanitation and Management Office.

It can be recalled that the City of Olongapo is a recipient of the country's Galing Pook Award on several occasions and dubbed as one of the cleanest and greenest highly urbanized cities in the country, due to this accomplishments, Olongapo has become a model for other Local Government Units.

The cleanliness and discipline accolades have been institutionalized through City Ordinance No. 56, AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY, which was enacted way back in 13 December 1995.

The sanggunian finds that some provisions of the above code needs to be updated to fully comply and meet the requirements set forth by Republic Act No. 9003, ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000

Further, the amended City Ordinance No. 56, will provide specific and detailed guidelines to the garbage containerization project currently being implemented city-wide in addition to the planned repairs, rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing controlled dumpsite into a sanitary landfill.

Stakeholders' Specific Responsibilities, MRF Management and Operations, Handling and Storage of Solid Wastes, Collection and Transport of Solid Wastes and Penal Provisions were among those sections enhanced to be relevant to current situation. Fees were not amended since it is contained in an ordinance passed last year.

City Ordinance 2009 O - 45 - Entitled AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY is in consonance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and other related environmental protocols.

Councilors Jong Cortez and Ed Piano conducted public hearing pertaining to the proposed ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE, representatives from DENR, DEPED, NGOs and private sector were present. Photo above shows ESMO personnel (between Piano and Cortez) shedding light to queries of stakeholders.

Gordon's Free Patent bill OK’d

CONGRESS has ratified the Free Patent bill which would allow 39 million Filipinos, mostly low-and-middle income individuals, to legally obtain title to the lands they have been possessing for at least 10 years now.

Sen. Richard Gordon, author of Senate Bill 3429 or an Act Reforming the Administrative Titling Process, said the measure will ease the requirements and procedures in the titling of residential and commercial land.

“Many landowners, despite possession of their land, have only rights or tax declaration due to the high cost, long delay and inconvenient procedures of judicial titling,” he said.

Under the present law, residential and commercial landholders can acquire a title only through the court, which would entail hiring of a lawyer, paying for a survey, securing testimonies from neighbors, clearances from the barangay and filing of a court petition, among others.

Gordon said this situation, where many land parcels remain untitled, make for bad economics because landowners cannot secure loans using their property for business and home improvement.

“Without a title, landowners will not be secure in their possession, becoming victims of illegally issued land titles by criminal syndicates,” he said, adding that the Chamber of Thrift Banks and the Makati Business Club have been anticipating the enactment of the Free Patent Act which is seen to benefit the economy.

“This measure is expected to stimulate bank lending with better collateral, allowing homeowners’ access to credit in banking institutions,” said Pascual Garcia III, president of CTB, in his letter to Gordon.

Alberto Lim, MBC executive director, said titled land has more value than untitled land. This will increase the local government’s tax base.

“Aside from more business tax, there will also be more legitimate property transactions so the take from transfer fees, documentary stamps, and capital gains taxes will increase,” he said. By: Bernadette E. Tamayo - Peoples Journal

Processing of ECC in Subic streamlined

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) streamlined the processing and issuance of environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) and certificates of non-coverage (CNCs) within the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) area in line with President Arroyo’s program of enhancing transparency in government transactions.

This developed as the DENR also implements its online Environmental Impact System (EIS)–Information System, where new applications for ECC and CNC can be viewed at the Department’s official website.

DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said that all ECC and CNC applications for projects located within SBMA area shall now be processed by the DENR office here, through the regional Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

Under DENR Administrative Order 14, Series of 2009, the approval of the ECC and CNC applications is now within the authority of the EMB regional director.

Approval of applications for ECC and CNC within the Laguna de Bay area is likewise with the EMB regional offices of either DENR Region 4A or the National Capital Region (NCR) under the newly issued DENR administrative order.

“This move is pursuant to Presidential Administrative Order No. 42, Series of 2002, which designated the EMB regional directors as the approving officials for ECC applications for non-environmentally critical projects located in critical areas, as well as CNC applications for projects not covered by the EIS system,” Atienza said. By FRANCO G. REGALA - Manila Bulletin

Zambales losing P3-billion tax due to DENR mining deal

IBA, Zambales – The province of Zambales is losing some P3-billion in taxes due to the Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) signed between large-scale mining companies and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Governor Amor Deloso said that at the moment there are around 30 MPSAs covering the mountains of Zambales.

“Zambales has lost about P3 billion in taxes due to the MPSAs. It is certainly unfair to my people that they don’t gain anything from these when they suffer from the pollution and the other inconveniences it (mining operations) brings,” he said.

Large-scale mining corporations pay taxes directly to the national government and have produced billions of pesos while small-scale mining here only produced some P135 million worth of tax.

Under the current set-up, local governments like Zambales have no control over large-scale miners despite being host to their operations. Local government units (LGUs) only regulate small-scale mining.

Deloso said large-scale mining corporations have no “social conscience” and have been ravaging the lands for the past 75 years.

Despite the MPSA, Deloso said, mining companies operating in Zambales should contribute to the development of this province aside from just enriching themselves.

Deloso said, “They should show some social conscience because they’re just permittees who make a living out of our land. They don’t own the mountains here. They should give us some respect.”

Zambales has been one of the richest areas in terms of mineral deposits, but have failed to gain development since the start of mining operations 75 years ago.

Deloso said the reason why Zambales hasn’t risen to the ranks of being a fully-develop province is that most of the taxes that come from mining go directly to the national government. By JONAS REYES - Manila Bulletin

Relocation for Residents Living in Hazardous Areas

The Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Olongapo has called on the Regional Development Council to establish a relocation site for residents who are living in declared disaster/hazardous areas in Central Luzon thru Resolution No. 163, series of 2009.

According to the resolution, thousands of families in the region who have lost their homes and have been displaced by the disasters need relocation sites for refuge, rehabilitation and recovery.

“ Calamity victims from different parts of the region have experienced serious threat to life, health and property, thus concerned government agencies must provide options for relocation sites so that we can prevent any other disaster-related accidents in the future,” said Councilor Jong Cortez.

Meanwhile, at the initiative of Mayor “Bong” Gordon, the Olongapo City government is pro-active in its task to prevent disaster-related incidents, especially in times of typhoons. Radio and newspaper advisories are being announced every now and then, informing and reminding the residents on what to do and not to do in times of storms, earthquakes or flashfloods.

At the initiative of Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr., the city has caused the up-keep of the Olongapo City Public Cemetery all year round.

Pao/sara

DENR INKS CADASTRAL SURVEY CONTRACT FOR OLONGAPO CITY

Region III Department of Environment and Natural Resources Executive Director Ricardo L. Calderon, Region III DENR Technical Director Romeo Verzosa and AB Surveying and Development Engr. Antonio Botor have signed the Cadastral Survey Contract last October 29, 2009 at the Olongapo City Sanggunian Session Hall.

Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. and Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo together with City Councilors Gina Perez, Ellen Dabu, Elmo Aquino, Edwin Piano and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Atty. Raul Mamac witnesses the contract signing.

‘’The Cadastral Survey of Olongapo is one of the priority projects of the city. This is to provide security of tenure to our residents particularly those who are legal land owners,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon.

Thru the funding of Senator Richard Gordon, the DENR will cause the four hundred eighty (480)-day Cadastral Survey with project costing P36. 2 million.

“The results of Cadastral Survey will not only speed up the process and lower the cost of land titling application, but will also diminish conflicts or disputes on land boundaries,” Mayor Gordon explained. Pao/sara

Mayor Bong Gordon witnesses the Cadastral Survey Project contract signing on October 29, 2009 at Session Hall, City Hall. Other witnesses include Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo and City Councilors Gina G. Perez, Ellen Dabu and Edwin Piano.

(Photo/Caption Courtesy of PAO)

Zambales Mining Board on watchlist

PMRB: A watchdog in need of watching

Manila Times

The Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) acts like the Environment department’s eyes and ears on the ground when it comes to how mining is being carried out in a particular, well, province. Among other things, a governor approves the issuance of a small-scale mining contract only upon the recommendation of the board.

To ensure that the concerned sectors have their say in the board, the Small-Scale Mining Act stipulates that the board’s five members be made up of one representative each from the regional office of the environment department, the office of the governor, the large-scale mining industry, the small-scale mining sector and civil society.

The environment department representative chairs the board, thereby keeping it under the control of the national agency. But that no longer seems to be the case in Zambales, where the board has been packed with the governor’s handpicked appointees.

For sure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has held on to its single board seat. But that’s still one against four. Aside from provincial legal counsel Noel Ferrer, the governor’s representative, there is small-mining permit-holder Arsenia Lim for the small-scale mining sector, and Deody Solee of FIL-ASIAN Mining for the large-scale mining industry. There is also Dr. Teresa Yap of the Zambales Tourism Council Foundation.

Questionable appointments

In a 2007 letter to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Gov. Amor Deloso of Zambales admitted that he had tapped Lim and Solee for the board “even without prior endorsement from their respective sector inasmuch as there is no existing organization yet in the province for small-scale miners and large-scale miners.”

Apparently he did not bother to consult the Chamber of Mines and the Small-Scale Mining Association, which, the law says, gets to nominate one representative each to the board “in case of the absence of nominees from the area.”

The appointment of Yap to the board is also questionable since according to law, the representative from a “non-government organization must come from an environmental group duly accredited by the DENR.”

Yap, a dermatologist, admitted that her group was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). No other group was considered for the bureau, she said. According to Yap, she had been part of a group that met with Deloso to ask that Mount Tapulao, Zambales’s highest peak, be spared from mineral exploration. ”I was a bit outspoken during the meeting, and right there and then he asked me to join the board,” she said.

At the very least, that may mean she would be willing to vote against the governor if necessary, even though Deloso may still have the numbers.

In fact, a sixth person used to attend the board meetings, although the board members would not allow him to vote. On August 13, 2007, the Zambales Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a 30-page ordinance that, among other things, expanded the board’s membership to six.

The provincial board’s environment committee chairman was to be the newest member of the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board. That happened to be Sanggunian Panlalawigan member Samuel Ablola, who was, interestingly enough, the ordinance’s author.

Ablola insisted on sitting in the board, despite an October 5, 2007, Special Order by Secretary Atienza reiterating the group’s five-member composition. Reports from Zambales, however, now say that Ablola, offended that other members barred him from voting, recently stopped attending the board’s meetings. Board insiders said they were waiting for an opinion on the matter from the capitol’s legal department.

Illegal act

In the meantime, other legal experts say the provincial ordinance was pretty much like a local body amending a republic act, which just won’t do.

Comments Marvic Leonen, dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines: “No action by the local government can amend the law.”

Environmental lawyer Ipat Luna agrees. “The Sangguniang Panlalawigan cannot supersede the Small-Scale Mining Act, because it is the baseline law,” she says. “They cannot ignore the Small-Scale Mining Act, they can only add to the rules.”

Asean forest experts to tackle climate change in Subic meet

A conference on social forestry and its role in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Southeast Asia starts today in Subic, Zambales.

Some 30 forestry experts from member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are taking part in the conference dubbed 3rd Asean Social Forestry Network (ASFN) meeting. The four-day event will focus on Asean members’ efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in promoting social forestry as a strategy toward sustainable forest management.

At the same time, the experts will discuss the role of social forestry in climate change mitigation and adaptation, including ongoing initiatives in climate change mitigation mechanisms in Asean countries.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Forest Management Bureau, is hosting the meeting at the Subic International Hotel. “With the region as having one of the world’s richest biodiversities, governments of Asean countries, including the Philippines, have taken keen interests in the social approach to forestry conservation,” DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said.

According to Atienza, the concept of involving upland communities in the country’s reforestation program could be traced back to the early 70’s through a two-year forest occupancy permit issued by the Bureau of Forest Development to families. The occupancy permit then evolved into a renewable 25-year certificate of stewardship Contract through the Social Forestry Program, now known as the Community-based Forest Management Program (CBFMP).

Atienza, a staunch supporter of the prolife movement, has always maintained on the primacy of the people’s welfare over other objectives in the implementation of any development program. “There is no real development until we have put premium on the people’s welfare. And this is true in forest management, thus, the concept of social forestry.”

FMB director and head of Philippine delegation Marlo Mendoza will keynote the Asean meeting when it formally opens on June 11, with Ali Wafa Pudjiono, secretary of the ASFN secretariat and Pralong Dumrongthai, ASFN chairperson and ASFN leader of Thailand giving the opening remarks.

Comprising the key agenda for the meet include country reports on the ASFN and its strategic plan of action (2007-12); status of implementation of policy framework on  Asean cooperation in forestry, particularly the Asean Charter and the Asean Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint; sustainability plan for the ASFN;  and proposed collaborative projects with partner organizations like the Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

A field visit to a CBFM site in barangay Cawag, Subic on June 12 will enable the ASFN delegates to dialogue with CBFM beneficiaries comprising about 150 families from the Cawag Upland Farmers Association undertaking agro-forestry and tree plantation development.

A side event on June 10 will have the experts tackle the issue of promoting the role of social forestry in climate-change mitigation and adaptation, while the implementation status of CBFM, including challenges and opportunities, as well as other programs related to CBFM shall be discussed on June 9. Written by Jonathan L. Mayuga - Business Mirror Correspondent

LGUs face raps over open dumps

TIME’S UP
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to file charges against 50 cities and municipalities that continue to operate open dumps in defiance of an existing waste management law.

Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza did not identify the erring local government units (LGUs), but added that they would publish their names in major newspapers as part of his department’s shame campaign against violators.

Calling the LGUs “pasaway” (hard-headed) despite a law – Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act – banning open dumps, Atienza said they were ready to file the charges for negligence and non-compliance with the law. “They had two and half years to explain why still maintaining these open dumps,” he added.

When he assumed the position of environment secretary two years ago, one of Atienza’s first acts was to order LGUs to comply with RA 9003 – or face charges.

Apart from banning open dumps, RA 9003 stipulates that all LGUs must operate their own materials recovery facilities (MRF) for recycling and shift to sanitary landfills.

“President Macapagal –Arroyo is bent on enforcing the waste management law. The garbage problem is the biggest issue related to climate change,” Atienza said.

The environment secretary, on the other hand, said he was proud of 48 cities and towns around the country which follow the law by setting up their MRFs and shifting to sanitary landfills.

Atienza said they have offered incentive packages to these LGUs. “If they need technical and material help on carrying out the law, we are always prepared to extend that them,” he added.

--By. Alcuin Papa – Philippine Daily Inquirer

School principal’s ouster sought

OLONGAPO CITY – The Association of Barangay Councils called for the dismissal of a school principal who allegedly ordered the cutting of decades-old trees inside a public high school.

The ABC urged Department of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus to sack Helen Aggabao, principal of the Olongapo City national High School.

East Tapinac Barangay captain Ben Franco said Aggabao failed to secure a permit form the Department of Environment Natural resources before ordering the cutting of the 12 trees.

Franco added Aggabao bypassed Barangay officials for not seeking a permit for the renovation works in the school which sits on a city-owned property.

--Peoples Journal

Palafox seeks probe of Subic bidding

THE Korean developer that planned to put up Ocean 9 hotel-casino and a golf course agreed to alter its development plan to incorporate the trees into the structures it would put up in Subic, as environment issues were raised that prompted Congress to conduct an investigation on the matter.

At the continuation of the hearing being conducted by the House Committee on Bases Conversion, it was found out that the 366 centuries old endangered trees, the bone of contention, were not actually cut as earlier reported.

Eric Park, manager of Gran Utopia Corp., categorically said the Korean company is amenable to the proposal of Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) Rep. Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite to incorporate the 366 endangered trees in its development plan rather than cutting them.

“Yes, your honor, we could alter the development plan as long as we are allowed to pursue this project,” Park told the panel.

In the same hearing, Felino Palafox Jr., the architect who exposed that the hotel developer was planning to cut the trees to pave way for its hotel and golf course with the consent of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), disproved the accusation of Party-list Rep. Carissa Coscolluela of Buhay that the motive behind his exposé is to try to cash in on the real- estate project.

Coscolluela tried to pin down Palafox, accusing the architect of grand profiteering for trying to lure Gran Utopia to relocate its project to Moonbay Marina, of which Palafox is a stockholder.

According to Coscolluela, Subic Coastal Development Corp. (SCDC), operator of Moonbay Marina, stands to earn no less than $40 million should Gran Utopia relocate to its site with 10 percent, or $4 million, going to the SBMA.

Palafox, however, told the panel his shares in Moonbay were payment for his professional fee for the project, as attested in a letter written by SCDC president Marianito Fernandez.

“The shares attributed to me were payment for my professional fee, which I have almost forgotten. And even if I am a shareholder in Moonbay, I am not part of the company’s operation, so I am not aware whether SCDC asked Gran Utopia to relocate its project to Moonbay,” Palafox said.

Palafox, who exposed irregularities and extortion in SBMA bidding, last year backed out of the $120-million Gran Utopia—in effect losing $1 million (P48 million) in professional fees—after learning that the project would involve clearing 366 endangered trees in Subic’s Central Business District.

Palafox also asked the ethics committees of the Senate and the House to investigate the alleged graft involving a senator and a congresswoman to clear their names and to stop alleged bidding irregularities at the SBMA.

Palafox said he is seeking the investigation in reaction to increasing pressure for him to prove his allegations.

“I have already given you the names of people whom my sources said are backers of SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, who is strongly supporting the construction of the controversial casino and hotel project of Gran Utopia. It is up to both houses of Congress and antigraft bodies concerned to look into the allegations,” he said.

Palafox earlier named Sen. Richard Gordon, Rep. Carissa Coscolluela and her father SBMA board member Ricardo Coscolluela, Chairman Ephraim Genuino of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and former Lakas Rep. Prospero Pichay of Surigao del Sur as among those having knowledge of alleged irregularities in the SBMA.

The architect, who is ranked 94th among the world’s top 200 architects and who has projects in 32 countries, also earlier complained to Arreza that an SBMA official allegedly tried to extort 18 percent from his firm in order to approve the bid of the Palafox Associates in October 2007.

“I know my revelations against top government officials allegedly involved in irregularities will put me in hot water. Instead of earning praises, I’ve been getting brickbats and death threats from those challenging me to prove my allegations,’’ he said.

“I really hope it is in my power to substantiate my claim, but I don’t have the capability to investigate graft and only key government agencies have the mandate and resources to do so. I hope that in fairness to the people I named, in fairness to me and the public, the Ombudsman, the Presidential Antigraft Commission, Commission on Audit, the National Bureau of Investigation and even the ethics committees of Congress will closely look into this matter,’’ he said.

According to him, he was not accusing directly any of those named of wrong-doing but that he was only stating what others related to him. Business Mirror

Grand Utopia official lashes back at Palafox

SUBIC BAY Freeport: A top official of the controversial $120-million hotel and casino that has become the subject of environmental concern has finally lashed back at its former architect who turned into the project’s No. 1 critic after being sidelined from the project.

In a statement, Executive Manager Eric Ghi-Buhm Park said that Grand Utopia Inc. is deeply disappointed that their former architect Felino Palafox Jr. began criticizing their Subic Project in the media using documents of their company.

“By coming out in the media and speaking before various public gatherings [while] criticizing our Subic project, the architect has committed a breach not only of the provisions of the subcontract agreement but also of professional ethics,” Park added.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza also inspected the project site last January and confirmed that the trees remained intact at the project site.

“If architect Palafox, as our professional local architect, was sincerely concerned about the trees from the very beginning, wasn’t it his responsibility to advise his client Grand Utopia of an alternative solution instead of publicly criticizing his client’s project in an unethical way with all exaggerations?” Park rued.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza in a separate statement is urging the critics of the project to be objective and stop sensationalizing the issue that has only delayed the project.

“We still think that this project would be beneficial to the Subic Bay Freeport, especially with the projected manpower hiring of about 5,000. It’s a project proposal that we have to evaluate objectively,” Arreza said.

Arreza made the appeal after the Special Committee on Bases Conversion of the House of Representatives on Tuesday conducted its initial hearing on two resolutions seeking to investigate claims made by noted architect Palafox.

The project remained on hold since November last year after Palafox’s claims triggered protests from environmental groups concerned about trees at the project site.

The SBMA official also bared project proponent Grand Utopia Inc. has already asked the SBMA to give them an alternate location since the allegations have caused the project much delay.--Anthony Bayarong - Manila Times

CADASTRAL SURVEY IN OLONGAPO

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III is coordinating with the City Government to complete the cadastral survey of the remaining unsurveyed areas of selected towns in Central Luzon, particularly in Olongapo.

In a letter to Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr., Regional Executive Director of DENR Region III Antonio G. Principe has cited Olongapo City as one of chosen city among eight (8) other towns/cities in Central Luzon to be covered by the Cadastral Survey Project. It states that “all barangays within the City of Olongapo shall be surveyed (Establishment of Project Control and Political Boundary) in your area covering an approximate 1,588 hectares, with a total cost of P2,927,999.75.”

“Old control points in these barangays shall likewise be recovered and converted to PRS92 or the Philippines Reference System of 1992.”

DENR is funding this project and has granted the contract to Living Stone Construction and Surveying, headed by its Chief Geodetic Engineer Danny D. Liwanag, with office address in Angeles City, Pampanga. The cadastral survey activities started last January 19, 2009 and is expected to be completed by April 19, 2009.

DENR believes that this initiative will help the city improve tax collections and property valuation efforts, as well as to help settle boundary conflicts and other land disputes under the city’s jurisdiction.

“This is good news to all landowners especially those in the outlying areas in Olongapo. Once the boundary is set and validated and a cadastral survey is accomplished, the titling process will cost less as there’ll be no need for individual lot surveys,” Mayor Gordon said.

PAO/chay