Thursday, August 20, 2009
Cebu fishermen join protest vs NY dinner
Cebu fishermen join protest vs NY dinner
By Iste Sesante Leopoldo
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 01:32:00 08/19/2009
Filed Under: Food, Restaurants & catering, Government, Travel & Commuting, Protest
CEBU CITY, Philippines—At least 20 members of a militant fisherman’s group shared a set of meal that could be their daily fare but which Tuesday became a symbol of their protest against allegedly excessive spending by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her US trip.
Members of the Panaghugpong Sa Gagmayng Mangingisda sa Sugbo (Alliance of Small Fisherfolk in Cebu) ate lunch of rice and dried fish in a protest action in front of the Malacañang sa Sugbo here.
“How can they manage to spend lavishly on their meals when the whole country, especially the marginalized sector, cannot afford to have a meal three times a day?” said Victor Lapaz, Pamana Sugbo chair.
He said the meal that his group ate was the fishermen’s usual fare.
He said fishermen usually skip breakfast and dinner because of extreme poverty.
“It’s okay if they don’t have breakfast or dinner as long as they can have lunch so they will have enough energy for work,” Lapaz said.
The National Statistical Coordinating Board has identified the fishing sector as among the poorest in the country.
The board said a family of five needs P6,274 a month to survive.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
UN takes cognizance over oil explorations in Visayas seas
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=494161&publicationSubCategoryId=107
UN takes cognizance over oil explorations in Visayas seas
(The Freeman) Updated August 08, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - The Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. warned local government units and other authorities supporting off-shore mining operation that the international community is now aware of the plight of fisher folk affected by the explorations attempts.
Vince Cinches, executive director of Fidec, said that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has responded to the online petition posted last year on the People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty website.
The petition letter on “hunger and plunder in the seas of central Philippines” was addressed to officials of the government, including the president, as well as the international organization for the protection of the environment. It gained thousands of signatories from supporters around the world.
The response from the UN states that “the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right food, Mr. Oliver De Schutter, has received information on the oil and gas exploration projects in the Tañon Strait region in the Philippines. As he examines this information, we would be most grateful if you could provide us with some clarifications.”
Ciches said the UN and Fidec are presently coordinating with each other and sharing information on the case. Information is being held confidential until the UN makes it move on the issue.
PCFS and Fidec are seeking explanation from the concerned parties over the findings of a recent International Fact-Finding Mission by the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific on the effects of off-shore oil and gas exploration activities in the protected seascape of Tañon Strait and Cebu-Bohol Strait in Central Philippines.
The authors of the petition said Tañon Strait is one of the world’s most unique and important centers for marine biodiversity, a breeding ground for 14 species of cetaceans. Cebu-Bohol Strait, meanwhile, hosts nearby the Danajon Double Barrier Reefs Bank, one of only six double barrier reefs in the world.
“However, due to service contracts awarded by the Philippine government to the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (Japex) and the Australia-based NorAsia Energy Ltd., environmentally-destructive seismic surveys and drilling operations have been conducted in the area even without prior consultation with local communities and government officials,” the petition reads.
Fish catch reportedly declined by 70 to 80 percent, causing hunger and displacement of thousands of small fisher folk in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental.
“They have been banned from fishing while exploration activities were ongoing and thus denied of their constitutional rights over municipal waters and their basic right to food and livelihood. A scientific study also indicates that these activities have disturbed the natural habitat of dolphins and whales,” the letter stated further. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)
UN takes cognizance over oil explorations in Visayas seas
(The Freeman) Updated August 08, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - The Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc. warned local government units and other authorities supporting off-shore mining operation that the international community is now aware of the plight of fisher folk affected by the explorations attempts.
Vince Cinches, executive director of Fidec, said that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has responded to the online petition posted last year on the People’s Coalition on Food Sovereignty website.
The petition letter on “hunger and plunder in the seas of central Philippines” was addressed to officials of the government, including the president, as well as the international organization for the protection of the environment. It gained thousands of signatories from supporters around the world.
The response from the UN states that “the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right food, Mr. Oliver De Schutter, has received information on the oil and gas exploration projects in the Tañon Strait region in the Philippines. As he examines this information, we would be most grateful if you could provide us with some clarifications.”
Ciches said the UN and Fidec are presently coordinating with each other and sharing information on the case. Information is being held confidential until the UN makes it move on the issue.
PCFS and Fidec are seeking explanation from the concerned parties over the findings of a recent International Fact-Finding Mission by the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific on the effects of off-shore oil and gas exploration activities in the protected seascape of Tañon Strait and Cebu-Bohol Strait in Central Philippines.
The authors of the petition said Tañon Strait is one of the world’s most unique and important centers for marine biodiversity, a breeding ground for 14 species of cetaceans. Cebu-Bohol Strait, meanwhile, hosts nearby the Danajon Double Barrier Reefs Bank, one of only six double barrier reefs in the world.
“However, due to service contracts awarded by the Philippine government to the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (Japex) and the Australia-based NorAsia Energy Ltd., environmentally-destructive seismic surveys and drilling operations have been conducted in the area even without prior consultation with local communities and government officials,” the petition reads.
Fish catch reportedly declined by 70 to 80 percent, causing hunger and displacement of thousands of small fisher folk in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental.
“They have been banned from fishing while exploration activities were ongoing and thus denied of their constitutional rights over municipal waters and their basic right to food and livelihood. A scientific study also indicates that these activities have disturbed the natural habitat of dolphins and whales,” the letter stated further. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Environmentalists: Study long-term effects of coal ash
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=493485&publicationSubCategoryId=107
CEBU NEWS
Environmentalists: Study long-term effects of coal ash
(The Freeman) Updated August 06, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - Environmentalists, in a forum yesterday, gave further explanation on coal ash and other hazardous wastes that contribute to greenhouse gases, emphasizing the “need to delve first into the long-term effects of coal ash to public health, being a worthwhile investment.”
Francis de la Cruz of Greenpeace, who tackled on the topic “Coal: Anything but clean,” explained that despite the reports saying that coal-fired power plants will be securing the energy supply of the province, its long-term effects on the health of the people should not be taken lightly.
He said that there are always other ways to produce energy from all over the country and conserve it without harming the environment and risking the health of the people.
Health implications of these said wastes and coal ash was also discussed by Dr. Romeo Quijano, a toxicologist and a professor of UP, explaining further how high toxicity is found in wastes that could effect to diseases such as in the heart, brain and kidney.
Quijano said that people may experience the effect of the toxins immediately or may show in a few years depending on how the person has closely been contaminated by wastes and the allergic reactions these may cause.
Lito Vasquez of the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Cebu discussed on the investments made that have added to environmental damage. He stressed on the current issue of the loan asked by the Korea Electric Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation to the Asian Development Bank which is said to be approved on August 18.
Vasquez said that they will be passing within this week a petition to the bank seeking a stop to the granting of loans. The petition would be signed by various groups.
The changes and the negative effects of coal ash produced by coal-fired power plants in the communities, especially those near the plants were also highlighted to raise public awareness on the effects of toxins to public health.
Vince Cinches of the Fisherfolk Development Center discussed this to the group citing an area in Toledo City, as an example, where “coal ash is found all over.”
The Global Legal Action on Climate Change led by lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, other leading environmental groups, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines initiated the forum participated in by students who mostly are taking up law at the University of the Philippines, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and the University of San Carlos. — AJ de la Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)
CEBU NEWS
Environmentalists: Study long-term effects of coal ash
(The Freeman) Updated August 06, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - Environmentalists, in a forum yesterday, gave further explanation on coal ash and other hazardous wastes that contribute to greenhouse gases, emphasizing the “need to delve first into the long-term effects of coal ash to public health, being a worthwhile investment.”
Francis de la Cruz of Greenpeace, who tackled on the topic “Coal: Anything but clean,” explained that despite the reports saying that coal-fired power plants will be securing the energy supply of the province, its long-term effects on the health of the people should not be taken lightly.
He said that there are always other ways to produce energy from all over the country and conserve it without harming the environment and risking the health of the people.
Health implications of these said wastes and coal ash was also discussed by Dr. Romeo Quijano, a toxicologist and a professor of UP, explaining further how high toxicity is found in wastes that could effect to diseases such as in the heart, brain and kidney.
Quijano said that people may experience the effect of the toxins immediately or may show in a few years depending on how the person has closely been contaminated by wastes and the allergic reactions these may cause.
Lito Vasquez of the Freedom from Debt Coalition-Cebu discussed on the investments made that have added to environmental damage. He stressed on the current issue of the loan asked by the Korea Electric Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation to the Asian Development Bank which is said to be approved on August 18.
Vasquez said that they will be passing within this week a petition to the bank seeking a stop to the granting of loans. The petition would be signed by various groups.
The changes and the negative effects of coal ash produced by coal-fired power plants in the communities, especially those near the plants were also highlighted to raise public awareness on the effects of toxins to public health.
Vince Cinches of the Fisherfolk Development Center discussed this to the group citing an area in Toledo City, as an example, where “coal ash is found all over.”
The Global Legal Action on Climate Change led by lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, other leading environmental groups, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines initiated the forum participated in by students who mostly are taking up law at the University of the Philippines, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and the University of San Carlos. — AJ de la Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Ecology lawyers question Naga ash waste deal
Ecology lawyers question Naga ash waste deal
By Ma. Bernadette A. Parco, Editorial Assistant
Why did the province of Cebu pay P100 million to buy land in Naga town that is partly submerged in water? And what are the health safeguards of using it as a dumping site for ash from coal-fired power plants to be built in Naga?
These questions were raised by environmental lawyers following the Cebu provincial government's announced plan to install a coal ash waste facility there and to reclaim five hectares of the 25-hectare Balili beach resort using the waste ash of Kepco’s power plants once they operate in 2011.
“Only alienable land of public domain may be conveyed into private ownership,” said lawyer Benjamin Cabrido in a press conference. He was referring to the beach resort bought from the late Engr. Luis Balili last year.
Cabrido said they were informed that 40 percent of the property is submerged in water.
“That property which includes a mangrove area cannot be titled at all. Why did the province pay P100 million when this is land in the public domain?” he asked.
The health risks of coal-fired plants were also raised by the lawyers.
“This is not ordinary ash that you get when you burn firewood. This is a fossil-based fuel coal,” said Cabrido.
Vince Cinches, Center for Fisherfolk Development executive director, said they measured the volume of heavy metals found in coal ash in Toledo City and Naga town in Cebu.
The coal ash contained 1.70 ppm (parts per million) of arsenic, 1.00ppm of chromium, 2.30 ppm of lead and 0.07 ppm of mercury.
Arsenic, lead and mercury are toxic heavy metals.
Lawyers Cabrido and Gloria Estenzo-Ramos sent a letter of complaint to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez and Provincial Board members yesterday.
PB Majority Floor Leader Victor Maambong said they received the “open letter” before yesterday's session and will hold a caucus to discuss its concerns.
In the letter, the lawyers sought a copy of the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Cebu provincial government and Kepco and all pertinent documents in the agreement.
Cabrido said they asked for a copy of the Environmental Compliance Certificate or ECC, the Deed of Sale and a copy of the Statements of Income and Expenditures of the province for the past three years.
The lawyers also asked Cebu officials to disclose what programs they implemented to protect the environment in accordance with such laws as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
Under the Local Government Code, LGUs should prioritize funds for health, sanitation and environment, said Ramos.
“People living near coal-fired power plants have a very high incidence of cancer. The plants produce carbon and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The water is contaminated with heavy metals,” she said.
“Has the government purchased equipment to measure the quality of air, water and sea where coal power plants and polluting activities are located?” Ramos asked.
With Reporter Doris C. Bongcac
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Fishermen send rotten fish to protest oil explorations
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=482412&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Fishermen send rotten fish to protest oil explorations
Updated June 30, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines – A group of fishermen yesterday delivered rotten fish to Department of Energy Regional Director Antonio Labios to protest the oil explorations in the waters of Cebu and Bohol, which they said is the cause of the deteriorating catch in recent days.
Labios reportedly received the fish, which was placed in a brown envelope.
Isaias Angco, Vice Chairman of Pamana Sugbo, said the rotten fish symbolizes how the department is “slowly killing” the fishes and fishermen after it allowed the oil explorations in Tañon Strait and in the seas of Argao and Sibonga towns.
“Sila man unta ang naa sa authority nga mu-protektar sa kinaiyahan, sila naman hinuon ang nag-daot,” Angco said.
The fishermen who joined yesterday’s rally at DOE said their catch has reportedly decreased since the oil explorations commenced.
The group will also hold a lightning rally to cap the observance of environment month this June.
“Ang amo lang kay dili lang ta nila hilabtan ang panginabuhi sa mga mangingisda,” Angco said, adding, that they hope authorities will realize the damage the oil explorations are giving the environment and the people.
Angco said the protests will continue until the government stops the explorations.
Angco said they already sent position papers to the office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Human Rights on the issue. — AJ A. de la Torre/JMO (THE FREEMAN)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Legal petitions to mark Env’t Day today
http://cdn.ph/photostore/news_details.php?id=2695
Legal petitions to mark Env’t Day today 6/5
By Ma. Bernadette Parco, Editorial Assistant
THE CELEBRATION of the United Nations’ World Environment Day today will be marked by the announcement of pro-environment legal petitions filed in different parts of the country.
An umbrella group of environmentalists, Global Legal Action against Climate Change (GLACC), aims to check the extent of the implementation of environmental laws by government agencies, local government units and public officials.
“This (kind of celebration) is an opportunity for communities suffering from environmental problems to stand up and do something. This is a commitment of Cebuanos in coordination with lawyers,” said Vince Cinches, executive director of the Central Visaysas Fisherfolk Development Center, a member of GLACC.
“We would like to start to put an end to environmental problems experienced by Cebuanos,” he added.
Cinches said that in Cebu, environmental issues include the rehabilitation of the Lagundi Reef in Talisay City, pollution caused by coal-fired power plants, reclamation projects in Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City, privatization of water bodies, off-shore mining and deforestation.
He also said there is an urgent need to curtail the effects of climate change by promoting an environment-friendly lifestyle among Cebuanos as well as ensure proper implementation of environmental laws.
Cinches said the inconsistent weather is one result of bad environmental care.
“In other parts of the country, people are experiencing the rainy season but in the Visayas it seems like it is still summer,” he said.
“We have classified the petitions under five areas of concern: land, air, water, energy and sea. These are our basic life support system that we are also destroying,” he said.
Legal petitions to mark Env’t Day today 6/5
By Ma. Bernadette Parco, Editorial Assistant
THE CELEBRATION of the United Nations’ World Environment Day today will be marked by the announcement of pro-environment legal petitions filed in different parts of the country.
An umbrella group of environmentalists, Global Legal Action against Climate Change (GLACC), aims to check the extent of the implementation of environmental laws by government agencies, local government units and public officials.
“This (kind of celebration) is an opportunity for communities suffering from environmental problems to stand up and do something. This is a commitment of Cebuanos in coordination with lawyers,” said Vince Cinches, executive director of the Central Visaysas Fisherfolk Development Center, a member of GLACC.
“We would like to start to put an end to environmental problems experienced by Cebuanos,” he added.
Cinches said that in Cebu, environmental issues include the rehabilitation of the Lagundi Reef in Talisay City, pollution caused by coal-fired power plants, reclamation projects in Cordova and Lapu-Lapu City, privatization of water bodies, off-shore mining and deforestation.
He also said there is an urgent need to curtail the effects of climate change by promoting an environment-friendly lifestyle among Cebuanos as well as ensure proper implementation of environmental laws.
Cinches said the inconsistent weather is one result of bad environmental care.
“In other parts of the country, people are experiencing the rainy season but in the Visayas it seems like it is still summer,” he said.
“We have classified the petitions under five areas of concern: land, air, water, energy and sea. These are our basic life support system that we are also destroying,” he said.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
FISHERFOLKS AND CLIMATE ACTIVISTS TO DEMAND MORE ACTIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Philippine Climate Watch Alliance
#26 Matulungin St. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel.: +63 2 9248756 fax: +63 2 9209099 email:philclimatewatch@gmail.com
FISHERFOLKS AND CLIMATE ACTIVISTS TO DEMAND MORE ACTIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
UP Dilliman, Quezon City - A few days after the Supreme Court concluded their forum on environmental justice, fisherfolks from all over the Philippines who attended the 1st National Grassroots Conference on Climate Change organized by Philippine Climate Watch Alliance (PCWA) are worried about the accelerating impacts of warming planet.
Vince Cinches the Executive Director of Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Inc. (FIDEC INC.) one of the many convenors of Philippine Climate Watch alliance in their paper presented during one of the workshops in the conference on the impacts of climate change to coastal communities, fisheries and fisherfolks, said that “Climate Change becomes an additional and more sustained burden of poor fisherfolks nationwide. Even before we felt the impacts of climate change, we have been marginalized by off-shore mining, commercial fishing, privatization of sea waters, reclamation projects, and fishery laws among others. We should remember that such projects are carbon intensive that contributes to increase in global warming gasses”
“Climate change has further marginalized the poor coastal people, through massive decline of fish catch, rising cost of fishing, and collapse of ecosystem among others, being poor diminishes capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change, the change in climate is accelerating, the community cannot keep up with the pace.”
“What is alarming on the other hand is that the warming planet has opened up new fronts of vulnerability in the community, we have stronger and frequent storm surges, seas are inundating our homes because of rising sea level, breeding grounds of marine species are collapsing because of acidity and warm waters. We no longer have potable waters to drink because of salt water intrusion.”
Fernando Hicap, the National Chairperson of the activist fishers group PAMALAKAYA said“Governments and their cohorts in big monopoly businesses are the main culprits why the planet is ailing and we the poor are paying dearly since we don’t have the capacity to adopt and respond to climate change. The poor should rely on each other to rescind anti-people and anti-environment policies.”
“This grassroots meeting is an important venue for us not just to strongly register the position of community people in the current discourse regarding global warming but to consolidate our ranks and turned it into a decisive force in making culprits accountable while dramatically reducing our carbon footprint”
Mr. Vince Cinches, executive director of FIDEC and convenor of PCWA said that the conference is not just first in the country but in the whole Southeast Asia as well.
He added that the conference is an important contribution of the Filipinos in the ongoing global initiatives against climate change especially that the Kyoto Protocol will soon end and will undergo renegotiation. “We wanted to ensure that the provisions of international policies regarding climate change should have more teeth against polluters, have more binding policies and responsive to the needs of the poor people around the world.”
On April 22, Earth Day, the group will hold a protest action to demand accountability from government and corporations and to demand real actions against the specter of climate change.##
Released by: Ghianne Rada ,
Program Officer,
FIDEC inc.
09069048009
#26 Matulungin St. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel.: +63 2 9248756 fax: +63 2 9209099 email:philclimatewatch@gmail.com
FISHERFOLKS AND CLIMATE ACTIVISTS TO DEMAND MORE ACTIONS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
UP Dilliman, Quezon City - A few days after the Supreme Court concluded their forum on environmental justice, fisherfolks from all over the Philippines who attended the 1st National Grassroots Conference on Climate Change organized by Philippine Climate Watch Alliance (PCWA) are worried about the accelerating impacts of warming planet.
Vince Cinches the Executive Director of Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Inc. (FIDEC INC.) one of the many convenors of Philippine Climate Watch alliance in their paper presented during one of the workshops in the conference on the impacts of climate change to coastal communities, fisheries and fisherfolks, said that “Climate Change becomes an additional and more sustained burden of poor fisherfolks nationwide. Even before we felt the impacts of climate change, we have been marginalized by off-shore mining, commercial fishing, privatization of sea waters, reclamation projects, and fishery laws among others. We should remember that such projects are carbon intensive that contributes to increase in global warming gasses”
“Climate change has further marginalized the poor coastal people, through massive decline of fish catch, rising cost of fishing, and collapse of ecosystem among others, being poor diminishes capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change, the change in climate is accelerating, the community cannot keep up with the pace.”
“What is alarming on the other hand is that the warming planet has opened up new fronts of vulnerability in the community, we have stronger and frequent storm surges, seas are inundating our homes because of rising sea level, breeding grounds of marine species are collapsing because of acidity and warm waters. We no longer have potable waters to drink because of salt water intrusion.”
Fernando Hicap, the National Chairperson of the activist fishers group PAMALAKAYA said“Governments and their cohorts in big monopoly businesses are the main culprits why the planet is ailing and we the poor are paying dearly since we don’t have the capacity to adopt and respond to climate change. The poor should rely on each other to rescind anti-people and anti-environment policies.”
“This grassroots meeting is an important venue for us not just to strongly register the position of community people in the current discourse regarding global warming but to consolidate our ranks and turned it into a decisive force in making culprits accountable while dramatically reducing our carbon footprint”
Mr. Vince Cinches, executive director of FIDEC and convenor of PCWA said that the conference is not just first in the country but in the whole Southeast Asia as well.
He added that the conference is an important contribution of the Filipinos in the ongoing global initiatives against climate change especially that the Kyoto Protocol will soon end and will undergo renegotiation. “We wanted to ensure that the provisions of international policies regarding climate change should have more teeth against polluters, have more binding policies and responsive to the needs of the poor people around the world.”
On April 22, Earth Day, the group will hold a protest action to demand accountability from government and corporations and to demand real actions against the specter of climate change.##
Released by: Ghianne Rada ,
Program Officer,
FIDEC inc.
09069048009
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